When people hear the word “cult,” they often picture a secluded compound or a charismatic guru in flowing robes. But researchers who study destructive cults generally describe them as one form of what are called high-control groups—organizations or movements that systematically shape how members behave, what information they trust, how they think, and even what emotions they are encouraged to feel.
In this week’s main episode of Mythologizing the Bible, we talked about the image of the yoke in Matthew 11. The invitation wasn’t to abandon responsibility. It was to choose a burden that fits your deepest values instead of one imposed by someone else. That idea raises an uncomfortable question: what happens when someone convinces us to voluntarily pick up a yoke that slowly steals our freedom?
Here’s the thing about modern authoritarian movements: they rarely begin with chains. They begin with belonging. They offer certainty in an uncertain world, identity in a confusing world, and purpose in a fragmented world. They don’t usually conquer people by force. They persuade people to surrender their autonomy willingly because doing so feels safe, meaningful, and empowering.
This is where I think it’s helpful to stop talking about politics for a moment and start talking about psychology.
So, let’s dive into that… in this episode of Afterthoughts!
