Are People with AS Less Succeptible to Cults?

Post Reply New Topic

My husband got involved with an extreme religious group, and it is really damaging our marriage. We are going to see a marriage counsellor today over it. Basically my bottom line is that he has to cease doing anything remotely associated with said extreme religious group or I will divorce him.

I don't understand why anyone would be even remotely interested in a group such as the one that he is involved with. I went with him to the services for a while, but I was never particularly moved by it and saw it for what it was. Is it that people with AS are just lukewarm towards things? Are we generally less succeptible to being brainwashed? I don't understand the appeal of this group whatsoever, so I was wondering if it has anything to do with AS?

i don't see the big deal with a lot of religions.

"You will go to hell if you don't do this." great, now where's your evidence?

if it's unreligious and interests me then i'll get into it. is british humor a cult?

Last edited by tinky on 22 Jan 2007, 6:00 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Some people with AS may develop obsessions with certain subcultures. Take me for example, i'm an Aspie who has a thing for anthropomorphic animals. Doesn't mean I have to become a cliche stereotype in the furry fandom. Actually, i'm quite different than the stereotypical furry because of my "block of ice" sort of attitude. You don't have to become a stereotype to join a fandom, just be yourself. I wish all the ignorant people out there wouldn't play on stereotypes just to get a rise out of the person.

Maybe because we dont follow the conversation, any brain washing just goes over our heads

you should look into sociology. a lot of studies have been done on how people only join cults if they have a friend who is in the cult. If aspies don't have many friends, maybe theyre less likely to join a cult?

Sorry to hear about this, janicka, and hope the matter gets resolved for the best for both of you. I've known some AS people who have been involved in cults, too. I think it has to do with a dysfunctional family of origin and wanting a "family" that can subsitute that dysfunctional FOO. Hope your efforts bring positive results. *hugs*

Exactly. There's also the fact that most Aspies tend to lean toward realism and are rational to the core. We hardly ever, (from what I can see), fall into bizarre religious beliefs. Everything falls under our keen judgment/study.

Cults are more than just religion they are all about control - I often compare some of the ABA types and some of the curebie parents with cult like behaviors. I don't know that Aspies are really naturally less inclined but perhaps since many are always checking for inconsistancies or not as emotionally swayed they may be more objective. HOWEVER - once someone would be able to get past that I could see some Aspies in terms of obsessiveness becoming extreme. So if someone was to appeal to their sense of lonliness and if they are unaware of their techniques or unable to read social cues and realize they are being manipulated an Aspie might be swayed if they thought the people were being genuine. I also don't think that anyone should underestimate cults or think they are above that stuff - they are often master manipulators. I have studied about cults and it is really interesting the deception they will employ - very subtle at first focusing on weaknesses or vunerabilities and the techniques they use to then isolate and cause further reliance on the cult.

Also - forgot to mention - there are many websites that deal with cults and perhaps if you can do some research on that particular group and show your husband their manipulations he might realize he is being used. Some of the more popular cults have groups of those who have managed to leave who may be able to offer more specific counselling.

cults rely on peer pressure... I've never really been suceptable to peer pressure.

I've seen many of these sites. They don't really apply to my situation due to the fact that my husband's situation involves a more or less mainstream religion with a rogue leader.

You have a point there. I actually started learning about Mormonism once due to a boyfriend. I know a lot of people consider that a cult - I personally don't because I really don't think that the Mormon church has the level of control over its members that is typically associated with cults. But I had this experience, your point about friends recruiting friends to cults is well taken.

My opinion is that we are less likely to fall into cults, because we don't share the sheep mentality with NTs.

At one point I was Christian, now I didn't follow the religion as such but I did like the idea of belonging in a group as such. The problem is I was getting extreme with it. Like building crosses and praying at my friend’s house. He didn't like this and he has told me today that if I didn't give it up he would have tried to get out of being my friend. Fortunately I have.

It’s really up to him, keep in mind that a religion can sometimes just be an interest with an idea behind it.

It’s really up to him if he wants to give the religion up and try to get another thing to do but he seems like he is thoroughly brainwashed which might mean it will take a lot of time.

Would he consider counseling with a member of that religion who is more mainstream.

I think that an Aspie is just as if not more likely to fall victim to a cult as someone else. I believe that many people are misinterpreting Aspies (often) concern for rationality as by definition a strength against group-thought. First, "rationality" leads in different directions. It is likely the "Heaven's Gate" suicide cult who killed themselves who the belief they would be resurrected on a distant commit believed they were rational. Second, many aspies have depression, or poor self-images. This is not the most efficient self defense mechanism of those who could be resistant to a dangerous cult.