How to Deal With Cults

Dealing with cults hits the core of a family. It can be hard on a family when one family member changes religious faith or beliefs, or marries someone of a different faith. But when a family member joins a cult and is cut off from family, it means an entirely different level of stress and grief for your family. Take these measures to deal with a cult.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Try to develop an objective viewpoint of the religious group your family member has joined. Find out from a reliable source what the true intentions of the cult are. Go to the Internet and find the religious sect's website or ask for one of their books. Read and study them with an open mind to see if there is anything in their views that you consider truly dangerous.

2. Contact your loved one and tell them that you want to meet with him and his minister or leader to discuss his new religious choice. Keep the conversation warm and loving. Schedule the meeting in a neutral place so that neither of you have an unfair "home advantage."

3. Meet with the loved one and minister. Ask lots of questions. Notice if your loved one has a freedom of choice and can answer questions without input or direction from the minister/leader or if he can act against the leader's advice. If so, this could be a healthy group. If your loved one seems intimidated or acts out of character, be prepared for further, more difficult meetings. And prepare yourself to find legal help.

4. Discover similarities of the new religion to your traditional religion. Find out if they really do differ that much. Most of the time, by simply getting in personal communication with the religious group, you realize that their tenets and beliefs are similar to the old. Again, look for anything out of the norm or that makes your loved one act out of character--either overly joyous or intimidated and shy.

5. Maintain personal contact throughout. Just because religious beliefs appear different is no reason to be intolerant. Remain open, loving and caring. Allow for your loved one's new decision to be "okay." Respect her religious beliefs. Keeping personal contact allows for opportunities to see how well, happy and healthy your loved one actually is.

6. Consider intervention if you suspect your loved one is involved with a cult. Watch for danger signs such as your loved one giving all his belongings to this group, drastically changing his looks or name, moving into a commune-type living situation or uncharacteristic pulling away from family members. If you suspect your loved one is losing himself into a cult, consult a psychologist about doing an intervention to rescue your family member from this group.

Tips & Warnings

• Avoid listening to gossip or someone's opinion or interpretation of a religious sect. Look and observe for yourself. Don't tarnish your relationship with your loved one by relying on false, misleading information.

Resources

• Research a group's religious beliefs at Religious Tolerance.