increasing, estimated 3000 unorthodox religions that exist

across North America. The increasing number of cults, to date

in North America, is due to the fact that cults are a social

movement that attempts to help people cope with their perceived

problems with social interaction. Cult recruiters target those

who perceive themselves as different from the rest of society,

and give these individuals the sense of belonging that they

crave. Cult literature lures potential cult members by

appealing to their desperate need to socially fit in. Cults

provide a controlled family environment that appeals to

potential cult members because it is a removal from the

exterior society. Cult recruiters prey on those who see

themselves as alienated from the rest of society, and give

these people the sense of conformity that they desire. A common

method of recruiters, to obtain new members, is through chat

lines on the internet. A recorded conversation between a member

of the Divine Light Mission, Fire-Shade, and an 18-year old boy, Jay

18, was obtained off of the site, IRC Teen Chat.

Jay18: I am a really great poet, but all of the kids in my

suffering from significant emotional distress.

sense of family. Cult literature lures potential cult members

at the Bethany Hills School found that when asked 'Would you join a

me yours, I won't be able to talk for long though.

a sense of community and belonging, during a difficult time in

Some topics in this essay:
Kingdom God, Dr Melton's, Hills School, Goldberg Jersey, North America, JGordon Melton, Spiritual Master, Unification Church, Fire-Shade Trust, Chat Jay18, potential cult, cult literature, join cults, cults provide, appeals potential, appeals potential cult, rest society, potential cult appealing, cult appealing, cult removal, controlled family environment, removal exterior, appealing desperate, bethany hills school, lures potential cult,