Anticult

/ˌæntiˈkʌlt/ adjective, noun

Definition

Opposed to or organized against cultic practices, groups, or ideologies; relating to efforts to expose and prevent cult influence.

Etymology

From anti- + cult (from Latin cultus, worship, devotion). Emerged in the 1970s-80s as a social movement responding to high-profile cults like the People's Temple.

Kelly Says

The anticult movement discovered something chilling: cults don't recruit stupid people—they recruit intelligent, idealistic people using psychological techniques that temporarily override critical thinking, which is why ex-cult members often need years to recover.

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