Thank you for writing this! I’m exmormon and this summarizes so many of my thoughts! After I left Mormonism, I felt myself getting quickly drawn into any community. I missed the support.
A personal note I’d add to your writing: As you noted, cults strip individuals of their boundaries, critical thinking, and solid relationship building skills. After leaving mormonism it was like I had to exercise a new muscle in ways that felt strange and awkward. It was in these exhausting exercises that I felt myself most susceptible to cult hopping.
I’ve accepted I will always be a recovering Mormon.
I agree, I especially dislike the targeting of vulnerable people who’ve left a cult and are trying to rebuild their lives, and it’s the re-victimization. Most MLMers are themselves brainwashed, but I think some of the more successful ones know exactly what they’re doing and are just sociopaths who see someone struggling and think “I bet I can profit from preying on that person and making their struggles even harder.” Ex cult victims must be like blood in the water for the sharks.
yeah, I have witnessed some truly unhinged *intentionally* predatory top leaders in MLM, but the VAST majority are being deceived themselves and believe what they tell others.
Thank you for writing this! I’m exmormon and this summarizes so many of my thoughts! After I left Mormonism, I felt myself getting quickly drawn into any community. I missed the support.
A personal note I’d add to your writing: As you noted, cults strip individuals of their boundaries, critical thinking, and solid relationship building skills. After leaving mormonism it was like I had to exercise a new muscle in ways that felt strange and awkward. It was in these exhausting exercises that I felt myself most susceptible to cult hopping.
I’ve accepted I will always be a recovering Mormon.
Oh, that is really insightful. Thank you for sharing!!!
Well written and food for thought!
I agree, I especially dislike the targeting of vulnerable people who’ve left a cult and are trying to rebuild their lives, and it’s the re-victimization. Most MLMers are themselves brainwashed, but I think some of the more successful ones know exactly what they’re doing and are just sociopaths who see someone struggling and think “I bet I can profit from preying on that person and making their struggles even harder.” Ex cult victims must be like blood in the water for the sharks.
yeah, I have witnessed some truly unhinged *intentionally* predatory top leaders in MLM, but the VAST majority are being deceived themselves and believe what they tell others.