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I find True Crime Stories fascinating, especially as a writer.  I’m always curious about what motivates people to act. Why do Cult members allow themselves to be manipulated by a psychotic leader, relenting all personal choice and individual thought?  Is the Cult leader who instructs disciples to commit brutal acts responsible for the acts of his followers?

Jeff Lundgren led a splinter group of the Church of Latter Day Saints.  Followers believed they would witness the 2^nd coming of Christ.  All members abandoned their families and relinquished valuable to Lundgren.

Cleansing was a plot to kill the “wicked”.  Denis and Cheryl Avery, along with their 3 children, were murdered in cold blood by Ron Luff.  Luff was a loyal member of the Mormon Church, raised in a strict religious environment.  Luff was groomed by Lundgren as a second in command, fulfilling God’s will without question.  He believed he was God’s tool to be used without judgment.

A cult phenomenon is the extreme of a human need to belong.  Brain chemistry influences the susceptibility of cult members.  The reputation process is the brain’s ability to determine whether something is true or false. Some individuals are more likely to believe than others.

Jim Jones led members of the People’s Temple to Jonestown, Guyana, a place that was meant to be a utopia for all people.  Jones preached equality and freedom, yet he practiced domination over his followers.  Nine hundred people committed mass suicide, many involuntarily, upon Jones’ command. Jones offered members the promise of acceptance, of unconditional love and belonging. 

Soon the environment grew darker, with drills conducted in case of attack. To heighten the level of fear, Jones would have guards shoot over the camp.  When the time came, Jones had already conditioned his followers to complete the final act of submission.  A core group facilitated the final act and if followers objected, they were forced to swallow cyanide, under the watchful eye of armed guards. 

All people are susceptible to sacrificing personal beliefs and morality in the face of authority.  Society as a whole could be viewed as a cult, on a larger scale.  If society deems a behavior acceptable or right, it is so, regardless of personal beliefs.  Many just follow in lieu of thinking for themselves.