(or How to start your own cult)

http://markmanson.net/solution

I've copied his main headings below, as a teaser for the article that is very relevant to ex cult members:

STEP 1: CHOOSE A SET OF BELIEFS THAT CANNOT BE EASILY PROVEN OR DISPROVEN

STEP 2: PRE-EMPTIVELY INVALIDATE ALL CRITICISM OR QUESTIONING

STEP 3: FIND YOUR PEOPLE (Find vulnerable people)

STEP 4: CREATE AN “US VS THEM” MENTALITY

STEP 5: PROMISE HEAVEN, DELIVER HELL

STEP 6: PROFIT


Or, he offers an alternative. Learn to accept that you aren't perfect, and we don't have all the answers.

"The only real way out of our own self-hatred and self-destructive nature is not declaring how right we are, but rather in accepting how wrong we are. It comes in questioning those base instincts, those knee-jerk judgments. It comes in the courage to question our most closely-held beliefs and fight against the tyranny of our own certainty."

I really like this blogger.