Step 1: Recognizing the Ur-Substance of the Cult

The first step in identifying a cult is to recognize the ur-substance.

The ur-substance is the underlying essence or vibe of the cult that sets it apart from all other cults. It's like the secret sauce in a recipe, the magic ingredient that makes the whole operation go.

Common ur-substances include:

• Dichotomous Thinking - the cult's ability to create false dichotomies and force members to choose between two opposing ideas, usually with a healthy dose of fear and guilt
• Love Bombing - when the cult showers its members with excessive love and attention, often to the point of suffocation
• Gaslighting - when the cult manipulates its members into questioning their own perceptions and sanity

Remember, the key is to recognize the ur-substance and not get sucked in by the fancy trimmings.

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