22. Group Think

Any group that coerces people into a rigid belief system is by definition a form of slavery. A cult by any name is a cult. This starts with a group of just two people, each wanting the other to share their points of view. As groups grow larger the pressure to conform increases exponentially. You are no longer free to have opinions, ideas or creative thoughts that are counter to the groups directives. Scientology is one glaring example. There are many more often in the guise of a respectable church. If you were raised in a family inculcated by group think you enter the world at a huge disadvantage and handicap. Worse they perpetuate the harm by repeating the process with their own children. There are ways out of this trap but most will never summon the courage to save themselves. The only hope is to leave. Move and cut off all contact with those who will try to berate, accuse and beat you down to rejoin the collective. It won’t be easy but will be easier than staying in bondage to ideas you never signed up for. Your life is just that.