Cults are terrifyingly good at getting people to accept things that would horrify most outsiders. Through constant reinforcement and pressure from the group, members can end up doing and believing stuff they’d have never signed up for on day one. Looking back after leaving, a lot of ex-followers are stunned by how much they went along with without ever questioning it.
In a recent post, one Threads user asked former cult members to share the weirdest things they experienced that everyone pretended was normal. They replied with lots of eyebrow-raising stories. Find them below and upvote the ones that shocked you the most.
#21
Giving 10% of everything you gain financially, even when I was getting just a little bit of money when I was 12.
22points
#22
Wearing socks right-side-out on a full moon was strictly forbidden because 'that’s how the moon beams drain your memories.'
21points
#23
They had the head of the cult come in and bless the house while all the members tried to pray my ADHD away.
20points
#24
I know tank tops are like ~normal~ and ~cool~ for Mormons now but I grew up being told I should “save my shoulders for my husband” and that if I wore anything sleeveless or shorter than knee-length I would be causing boys to “stumble”.
20points
#25
Public confessions. Having to write your sins down on paper so someone else could read them to the audience while you stood on stage like an auction.
20points
#26
Former members returning to church after spending time behind bars for CSA materials, and welcomed with open arms for repenting, despite being legally designated as offenders.
19points
#27
The "Flagellation" which was just getting spanked by the pastor.
19points
#28
Constantly keeping vigilant of the news and world events, hoping that the world is about to end, waiting to hear that “peace and security” announcement that will never come.
19points
#29
When the "bishop" brought me into a room (alone) and asked me a bunch of questions, including asking about my intimate life.
I was TWELVE.
I was TWELVE.
18points
#30
Going through a ritual in which I was given a “new name” and had to wear this. And then I had to also wear this for my wedding. Supposed to be symbolic of Adam and Eve.
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18points
#31
Being told I was “chewed gum” or a “used car” during summer camp and developing debilitating gastric problems for months after when I was 11. (I experienced CSA).
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18points
#32
Men were not allowed in rooms alone with women, especially without their wives. It was equally "too tempting" for men and "they didn't want any allegations" from women. Itown church, Indianapolis. Very true story.
18points
#33
Calling ‘dibs’ on peoples’ houses/cars/other things we wanted for ourselves after Armageddon was over.
18points
#34
Dads and brothers weren’t allowed to see women —including family members— with wet hair because that would make them think of the woman in the shower and that would lead to lustful thoughts.
17points
#35
God physically living on a planet next to a star called Kolob. He's just over there chillin' with a physical human body & everything.
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17points
#36
Swapping children into different families that are “better fits”. And these are common in cults but are still so weird: arranging future marriages between children, and no socializing with anyone outside of the church even relatives.
17points
#37
People being overly concerned about my underwear and checking and asking to make sure I'm wearing the right ones for my salvation.
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17points
#38
Having to have sit down conversations to confess in front of your parents and multiple adult men that you (a 15yo girl) sinned (by kissing a boy, and being a bit of an emo girl) which led to conversations on whether or not I was allowed to stay in the cult WOMP WOMP I GOT KICKED OUT.
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17points
#39
Bro I grew up in a cult. EVERYTHING was weird and I thought it was normal. There was no “weirdest.” It was ALL insane levels of “You mean everyone doesn’t like this/do this???”
But just to give you an idea, when Rugrats came out in 1991, we weren’t allowed to watch it because…of the name. The only reason we were allowed to watch The Waterboy was because of his mother’s faith.
But just to give you an idea, when Rugrats came out in 1991, we weren’t allowed to watch it because…of the name. The only reason we were allowed to watch The Waterboy was because of his mother’s faith.
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17points
#40
Speaking in tongues. Telling children they were born sinful. Physical and emotional mistreatment.
16points