How Do You Leave A Fundamentalist Church?
• Recognize if you’re in an abusive religious group. In some places these are called “cults”; in others, “sects” or “fundamentalist” groups. Cults generally involve aggressive misinformation or misinterpretation (“brainwashing”), self-aggrandizement and even worship of a leader, isolation from and disrespect of outsiders, and undermining members’ self-esteem. • If a religious group seems odd, but one wouldn’t have to “escape” it, don’t panic. It’s probably not a cult. Join, stay, or leave, as you are persuaded. • Think through the reasons that cause you to want to leave the cult. Are any of these reasons based on abuse, oppression, lack of freedom of thought/speech/mobility, etc.? If so, consider seeking help from authorities who can intervene where laws are being broken. • Plan your departure. If you’re in a cult that lives in a compound, you might be planning an escape rather than a mere departure. Where this is the case (and if you’re even allowed to be reading this article), you’ll
