How Do You Start Your Own Cult?

This is a question that has intrigued me for some time now.

You see, it’s fairly easy to see how you can people to join your group once it’s grown a bit, and you can see how people can be coerced into becoming “followers” when there are some heavies to throw their weight around, using intimidation tactics, for example.

But how, exactly, do you get your very first member?

Do you press-gang family members or friends? Aren’t they going to tell you to go forth and multiply – the only sane response?

Even if you’re totally depressed and at rock bottom, why would you choose to follow somebody (especially a stranger) who’s had a message from some “divine entity”?

How desperate do you have to be to tag along and become this “guru’s” first recruit?

Is it a case of get in early and have a position of power within the new cult?

Is it herd mentality at work – some primeval desire to belong to something, anything, however weird or bizarre it may be?

And if the solution to happiness and success is to give away all your worldly possessions (usually, to the cult leader, of course), then why do you need to join a cult to do this? Can’t you just donate your stuff to a charity, which would be a much more worthy recipient, and get on with things? Why complicate matters by joining a cult if that’s all you want to achieve?

And where is the tipping point, when does a small band of delusional misfits become large enough to be called “a cult”?

All fascinating questions, and as always, all without any sort of logical answers – so if you have any, please feel free to comment, below.

Oh, and in case you were wondering, I’m not thinking of starting my own cult – I clearly wouldn’t know where to begin (even if I wanted to)!

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