Suppose a million people in the United States were afflicted with some mysterious infection about which many victims did not complain, but which caused considerable suffering in others and while only a small percentage died, that was affecting a steadily increasing number of people. Yet, what disturbs me greatly is that, to the best of my knowledge, there is a mere handful of books written about the psychological and social effects of destructive cults. There is a veritable glut in the Christian market of books that deal with theological heresies of the more well known cults. Unfortunately, the impression is easily gained from such books that cults can be identified strictly on the basis of doctrine, while ignoring cultic practices such as authoritarianism, legalism, prohibition of dissent, etc. The average reader, then, ends up with a distorted idea of just what the dangers of cults are, and how extensive the problem really is.
Cultic groups can destroy or damage peoples lives spiritually and psychologically.
The evangelical church and the church at large have done a great deal for other types of social needs. They have provided resources for unwed mothers, for drug addicts, and for alcoholics. But they have done nothing for the person who is coming out of one of these extremist cults. Christians are not aware of the great need to assist former cultists on the path back into mainstream society. I feel very strongly about this need.