Am I being recruited to a cult?

[Ackles]

So, a friend I've been kinda dating comes to me and asks me if I would like to join a group they are in. It is a spiritual/personal support group lead by a guy who I'm told is very knowledgable about the bible and a slew of other things. I'm told the guy is not a licensed therapist or clergy, but "he's so knowledgeable and licenses don't matter". My friend goes on to tell me it will cost money because the man does not have a public job. This is due to the fact that he has an allergy to fragrances that results in him feeling physical pain when he is in the presence of it, thus, he is unable to function in society in a normal manner. Therefore, students who see this guy must wash their clothes and themselves in non-fragrance soaps and detergents. He also requires that students communicate their progress to him on a regular basis concerning personal and spiritual progress. This could be through email or text. I met the guy for one session just because it seemed like such a strange situation, i literally thought it was going to be revealed to me I was on a hidden camera show. Lo and behold, the guy is real and he does this classes out of his basement. He goes on to ask me questions about myself, claims he is an expert at body language, and has studied the Bible so in depth and for such a long time. He also states that once or twice a month he has these super long group sessions that can last up to 12-14 hours where all in the group will discuss with each other their issues and progress concerning faith and personal problems. The visit was just a "get to know you" thing, but I was really creeped out. Once the hour ended I left, and just as I was leaving another student showed up for their session. So he sees multiple people this way. I did not go back and I feel I dodged a bullet here. If this guy is a con artist/cult leader, who do I report it to?

 

[backseatjuan]

Back in 2014 I opened up my business, and there was this one dude coming over to my office several times, he wanted his stuff done for no money, told me he is a guru, a therapist, and a healer. I had competition near me, so I decided to introduce this weirdo to them, and I was keeping them close to me for various reasons. Long story short, several of the dudes from that competitors office agreed to meet with him at his house he was renting in the mountains for a night of healing. The next day I get a call from a vice guy, he tells me that dude you introduced to those guys svcked their d1ck! Apparently healing involved svcking and somehow it's a very powerful process!

I believe you are in the company of a criminally minded healer, could not be a sect, but he is feeding you bs in return for your money, that's 100% certainty. Run, if you have to dump your gf.

 

[oldmanofthesea]

Have you seen the movie "Mandy"?

 

[PeasantPlayer]

The bible is fake so what does that make the knowledge

 

[Murk]

“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

Tread carefully

 

[taiyuu_otoko]

If this guy is a con artist/cult leader, who do I report it to?

If you were to deliberately create a cult, this guy has done a pretty good job. He's got a lot of effective brainwashing elements.

But to call the cops, he'd have to be doing something wrong, fraud, misrepresenting, tax evasion, etc.

Essentially people are paying him for advice, which is what tons of coaches do, and none of those guys have any kind of license.

They have "certificates" and such, but simply handing out advice for cash doesn't break any laws.

Just be lucky you dodged a bullet and stay away from him and any of his "followers."

OTOH, you might want to copy him and create your own cult. Except only allow ladies under 22 or something.

Say you are allergic to testosterone and the path to righteousness is only through the freely giving of the pvvssy to an enlightened seeker of truth (that would be you).

 

[Billtx49]

Cults flourish on easily influenced people…

 

[wifehunter]

So the leader is an unemployed 'know it all'?

Run forest!!! RUN!!!

 

[GrowingPains]

Hahaha they have to wash themselves with non-scented soaps.

That's HILARIOUS.

 

[Spaz]

Just find a good priest and talk to him about the bible.

Plenty of priests around doing nothing much except visiting people from Monday to Fridays.

Why are some people going around paying noobs to teach you biblical stuff ?

 

[backseatjuan]

Why are some people going around paying noobs to teach you biblical stuff ?

Con artists using confidence game to attract people to them. You attract women to be in love with you, they attract people to pay them money, it's as simple as that. They are very powerful players, they exploit your weaknesses, and reframe your thoughts. All they need are some easily influenced people, and since most people are easily influenced, they can do their thing. For some it brings a lot of cash. Like this dude in Russia for example, he called himself God Kuzia, and I think aside from cash women fvcked him in wild orgies - you can see the dude at 30 seconds in, he is wearing white shirt and is fat. Now I bet none of us here have that kind of game!

 

[Tilex]

I get the impression that cult recruitment has the same equivalency as MLM.
It usually starts out as something too good to be true.
Or how they instantly suggest promoting you to top positions without you earning it.
The end goal is sold as a fantasy.
Most if not all religions use the same tactics.
If something doesn't seem quite right, just listen to your gut.
It's always accurate when it comes to phony people.