Watch out for the cult-think trpple whammy!

[Richard Ford]

Every cult I have ever come across has hit me with the following
triple whammy. Most cult members will do this within hours of meeting
you. See if you can spot it!

1) "The world is going to hell on a handcart- what with all the war,
pollution and corruption and everything."

This is absolutely not true. Each decade sees the world wealthier and
healthier than the one before. Life expectancy improves almost
everywhere.

The cult member says this because he has the need to believe in
Messiah figures. There tend to disappoint the cult member because
Messiah figures are actually the cause of many world problems.

2) "People are horrible. They will stab you in the back as soon as
look at you."

Again, untrue. The cult member typically seeks a state of ego-less
submission and this is no usually available in the real world. This
makes the outside world seem cold and inhuman to the cult member.

3) "Science/money/sex/reason have failed you. Why not try us?"

This is a council of despair and not even logical. It is true that
science, money and personal relationships sometimes blow up in your
face BUT belief in illusions ALWAYS do.