Cult Phobias So what is a "phobia"? In Steve Hassan's book, "Releasing the Bonds", he states it as, "a persistent, irrational fear of an object or situation. All phobias are triggered by a cue that initiates a closed cycle of fearful images, thoughts, and feelings." So, people project that their worst fears will happen.

What are some common cult phobia's? Hassan states that, "Cults try to keep family members who are still in the cult away from ex-members. " He continues, " Programmed phobias can be so strong that cult members cannot imagine themselves happy, safe, and fulfilled outside of the group. They can generate only negative images of life outside of the cult. When they think of leaving the group, they imagine themselves being destroyed, along with all the other non-believers, by the fiery judgement of Armageddon." Cult members only have fear and dread of the outside world!

Religious cults use this fear to manipulate minds and thoughts. Members are told they will suffer badly if they leave the group. They are told that they might die, commit suicide, become sexually promiscuous, become a drug addict -- anything to inspire "false fears". One tactic the leaders of cults use is "anything which is designated as a threat to the cult identity".

Examples of this:

Any thoughts, feelings, or information critical of the cult leader, doctrine, or organization

Former members or critics of the group

Doubts or thoughts about leaving the group

"Once these phobias are in place , the cult member becomes a dependent personality, filled with a sense of helplessness and hopelessness about leaving the group. Cult leaders want their members to be filled with such fear and self-doubt. They want to cultivate low self-esteem and manipulate members to work harder for praise and promotion."

(Thanks, Flipper.)