Good Cult Victims And Evil Cult Villains

The following post is here to address the tendency of people to demonize cult members but then cheer ex cult members and sympathize with them .  I hate to burst any bubbles but for some this is too extreme an all or nothing proposition. Either pure good or pure evil with no judgement and unbiased examination of individuals .

Some people are roped in and skeptical, but through a series of deceptions and hypnotic experiences that are falsely labeled proof of Hubbard's technology they get certainty Scientology and Hubbard are miraculous. Because euphoria and ecstasy are so misunderstood that it's quite easy to convince a tiny percentage of people that they are having mystical experiences.

The misinterpreted experiences are essential to fool the cult victim . It is merely a very convincing way to lie to people. It also increases suggestibility in some cases to a tremendous degree.

Blaming cult victims is essentially blaming victims of betrayed trust , victims of elaborate systemic deception utilizing elements of social psychology and individual mental vulnerabilities .

I advise not letting frustrations with Scientology's crimes inspire condemnation of his victims. They are certainly not perfect , but to act like there is a line or date that everyone on one side of must "be knowingly choosing this" or something along those lines is simply false .

There is no black and white demarcation of "good duped Scientologists"and "bad you are informed of Scientology's fraudulent nature and not fooled at all or should know better Scientologists".

It is a matter of different individuals and case by case . But a fundamental concept to consider is that cults are abusive relationships spread out over groups and have the components of abusive relationships.

It would be wrong to blame a battered woman , victim of rape or child abuse and say " you were asking for it" or " you should've known better " .
Similarly in cultic abuse it is wrong to blame the victim . This doesn't provide an absolute abnegation of responsibility for any and all conduct committed while in the cult. It is never going to be a black and white issue.

Now , there are some genuinely abusive and even criminal acts that must merit consequences such as prison terms . Certainly for adults who knowingly ruin and end lives . No cult deception mitigates to the point where adults committing murder and other tragic traumatic felonies should entirely avoid criminal prosecution.

Even some of these terrible crimes may in some cases be judged to warrant reduced sentences due to undue influence. Trying to balance influence and justice will be a challenge worthy of the wisdom of Solomon. I am very glad I will never bear that terrible burden .