Strange, and terrible, and insidious, and incredibly effective in a dark scary way. Really, it is a wonder that people (that's us!) actually find their way out. How does that happen?That would be an interesting thing to explore: what are the mechanisms by which followers become apostatic? Actually apostate is a mis-nomer, and implies integrity in the belief system or entity being rebelled against.
Great thread, by the way. Premies are by and large pretty intelligent, and sincere people, but this group has got to be the cream of the crop.