--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I have always been fascinated by cults…" description: "\"I have always been fascinated by cults and mind control, and specifically deprogramming from the cult.\" — Riley Stearns" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/096/riley-stearns-18275_always_i-have-always-been-fascinated-by-cults-a_3176219.jpg" --- # I have always been fascinated by cults and mind control… ![“I have always been fascinated by cults and mind control, and specifically deprogramming from the cult.” quote by Riley Stearns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/096/riley-stearns-18275_always_i-have-always-been-fascinated-by-cults-a_3176219.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/096/riley-stearns-18275_always_i-have-always-been-fascinated-by-cults-a_3176219.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/096/riley-stearns-18275_always_i-have-always-been-fascinated-by-cults-a_3176219.jpg) > “I have always been fascinated by cults and mind control, and specifically deprogramming from the cult.” [Riley Stearns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/riley-stearns/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Explores the allure of extremist groups and the challenging process of reclaiming autonomy after leaving them. **In simple terms:** Leaving a cult is hard but possible. Key Takeaway Seek support and rebuild identity. Themes cult dynamics mind control deprogramming psychological recovery Mood reflective empathetic Type psychological sociological When to use this quote - support groups - therapy - education - family reintegration Key Concepts social influence identity reconstruction trauma healing Questions to Reflect On - What resources can aid someone leaving a cult? - How does society view former cult members? A Different Perspective Recovery can be hindered by lingering fear and social stigma. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Always](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/always/) [Control](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/control/) [Cult](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cult/) [Cults](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cults/) [Cults Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cults-mind-5801888/) [Deprogramming Cult](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/deprogramming-cult-5547990/) [Fascinated Cults](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fascinated-cults-1214540/) [Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mind/) [Mind control](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mind-control/) [Psychology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/psychology/) ## Related quotes > [I've always been fascinated by cults even as a kid.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/riley-stearns/i-ve-always-been-fascinated-by-cults-even-as-a-kid/) [Riley Stearns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/riley-stearns/) > [“Because the problem of ritual abuse and mind control has not gone away - the survivors are still there - many more therapists have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alison-miller/because-the-problem-of-ritual-abuse-and-mind-control-has-not-gone/) [Alison Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alison-miller/) > [Through "deprogramming" or cult intervention the only issues that are addressed focus upon the specific group and group involvement. The subject of such an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-ross/through-deprogramming-or-cult-intervention-the-only-issues-that-are/) [Rick Ross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-ross/) > [“Since the 1980s, therapists have reported encountering clients or patients who had experienced extreme abuses featuring physical, sexual, emotional, spiritual, and cognitive aspects, along…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alison-miller/since-the-1980s-therapists-have-reported-encountering-clients-or/) [Alison Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alison-miller/) > [“Those of us who work in the field of trauma and abuse, whether psychologists, psychoanalysts, social workers, doctors, counselors, or psychotherapists, have been provided…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/valerie-sinason/those-of-us-who-work-in-the-field-of-trauma-and-abuse-whether/) [Valerie Sinason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/valerie-sinason/) > [“People don't make decisions within these sorts of groups. They try to avoid more torture. Then they are tortured into thinking they made a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wendy-hoffman/people-don-t-make-decisions-within-these-sorts-of-groups-they-try-to/) [Wendy Hoffman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wendy-hoffman/) > [“People desperate for belonging and validation become prime targets for cults. Don’t show recruiters your low self-worth. Protect your neck by knowing your own…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vennie-kocsis/people-desperate-for-belonging-and-validation-become-prime-targets/) [Vennie Kocsis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vennie-kocsis/) > [“How do we find words for describing levels of betrayal and emotional, physical, sexual and spiritual torture that fragment and destroy a child or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/valerie-sinason/how-do-we-find-words-for-describing-levels-of-betrayal-and-emotional/) [Valerie Sinason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/valerie-sinason/) > [“Religion is the most powerful entity on earth. A phenomenon that has conscripted millions to give or sacrifice their lives without so much as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cal-sarwar/religion-is-the-most-powerful-entity-on-earth-a-phenomenon-that-has/) [Cal Sarwar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cal-sarwar/) > [“FRACTURED FACTIONS Many cults are created by the uncontrollable egos of religious zealots”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kamil-ali/fractured-factions-many-cults-are-created-by-the-uncontrollable-egos/) [Kamil Ali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kamil-ali/) > [“This is the mentality of a cult, in which fantastical beliefs are flaunted as proof of one's piety. That mentality cannot coexist with an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-pinker/this-is-the-mentality-of-a-cult-in-which-fantastical-beliefs-are/) [Stephen Pinker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-pinker/) > [ \[Concerning monotheistic religions\] The only thing these hysterical cults have in common is the belief that this world will be consumed, and deservedly so,… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-hitchens/concerning-monotheistic-religions-the-only-thing-these-hysterical/) [Christopher Hitchens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-hitchens/) > [“Cult (totalistic type): a group or movement exhibiting a great or excessive devotion or dedication to some person, idea, or thing and employing unethically…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-jolyon-west/cult-totalistic-type-a-group-or-movement-exhibiting-a-great-or/) [Louis Jolyon West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-jolyon-west/) > [I didn't read about it for school. It was just for myself. I was interested in cults in general but Jonestown was the most…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/danzy-senna/i-didn-t-read-about-it-for-school-it-was-just-for-myself-i-was/) [Danzy Senna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/danzy-senna/) > [Cults use our vocabulary, but they don't use our dictionary.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-r-swindoll/cults-use-our-vocabulary-but-they-don-t-use-our-dictionary/) [Charles R. Swindoll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-r-swindoll/) ## More by Riley Stearns > [When I was nineteen, I moved to L.A.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/riley-stearns/when-i-was-nineteen-i-moved-to-l-a/) [Riley Stearns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/riley-stearns/) > [I always wanted to learn French or Italian growing up. I love the romantic sound of those languages.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/riley-stearns/i-always-wanted-to-learn-french-or-italian-growing-up-i-love-the/) [Riley Stearns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/riley-stearns/) > [My perspective is a white man's perspective and nothing else. I can't speak for anyone else or say something I'm not versed in.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/riley-stearns/my-perspective-is-a-white-man-s-perspective-and-nothing-else-i-can-t/) [Riley Stearns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/riley-stearns/) > [For me, I never look down at my characters.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/riley-stearns/for-me-i-never-look-down-at-my-characters/) [Riley Stearns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/riley-stearns/) > [I play bass, and I wanted to be a musician.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/riley-stearns/i-play-bass-and-i-wanted-to-be-a-musician/) [Riley Stearns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/riley-stearns/) > [As long as you're a good person and you're doing things that don't hurt other people, whoever you are, just embrace that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/riley-stearns/as-long-as-you-re-a-good-person-and-you-re-doing-things-that-don-t/) [Riley Stearns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/riley-stearns/) > [I don't plan a lot of shots, but going into shooting and prep, I've got certain things that stand out to me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/riley-stearns/i-don-t-plan-a-lot-of-shots-but-going-into-shooting-and-prep-i-ve-got/) [Riley Stearns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/riley-stearns/) > [I'll admit I'm still getting used to using preferred pronouns here and there. Actually changing the way that you address people can be a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/riley-stearns/i-ll-admit-i-m-still-getting-used-to-using-preferred-pronouns-here/) [Riley Stearns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/riley-stearns/) > [I lost ten pounds while shooting 'Faults' somehow and by the end of the shoot people were basically handing me stuff to eat in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/riley-stearns/i-lost-ten-pounds-while-shooting-faults-somehow-and-by-the-end-of-the/) [Riley Stearns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/riley-stearns/) > [I went to UT in Austin for a year as an undeclared liberal arts student. After that year I applied to the film program…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/riley-stearns/i-went-to-ut-in-austin-for-a-year-as-an-undeclared-liberal-arts/) [Riley Stearns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/riley-stearns/) > [I think it's so cool that the younger generation is so much more fluid in this regard. You don't have to be a certain…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/riley-stearns/i-think-it-s-so-cool-that-the-younger-generation-is-so-much-more/) [Riley Stearns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/riley-stearns/) > [I love making movies that I want to see made and I want to see on the screen, but I also want to make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/riley-stearns/i-love-making-movies-that-i-want-to-see-made-and-i-want-to-see-on-the/) [Riley Stearns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/riley-stearns/) > [Tattoos are traditionally super masculine, but I just like it. I like the art.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/riley-stearns/tattoos-are-traditionally-super-masculine-but-i-just-like-it-i-like/) [Riley Stearns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/riley-stearns/) > [I've always been fascinated by cults even as a kid.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/riley-stearns/i-ve-always-been-fascinated-by-cults-even-as-a-kid/) [Riley Stearns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/riley-stearns/) > [I was questioning what it means to be a man. I didn't feel as masculine as I thought I should. I was out of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/riley-stearns/i-was-questioning-what-it-means-to-be-a-man-i-didn-t-feel-as/) [Riley Stearns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/riley-stearns/) [Explore all 35 Riley Stearns quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/riley-stearns/) ## More Always quotes > [I think performing has pretty much always been a part of me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isa-briones/i-think-performing-has-pretty-much-always-been-a-part-of-me/) [Isa Briones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isa-briones/) > [I always thought if I was born 2000 years earlier, I would be a monk, probably carving a monastery or some giant pantheon buildings.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenova-chen/i-always-thought-if-i-was-born-2000-years-earlier-i-would-be-a-monk/) [Jenova Chen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenova-chen/) > [I always like a character who makes me laugh.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachael-stirling/i-always-like-a-character-who-makes-me-laugh/) [Rachael Stirling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachael-stirling/) > [It's always great to see old friends, especially those I have not been able to see in 15 months.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-regal/it-s-always-great-to-see-old-friends-especially-those-i-have-not-been/) [William Regal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-regal/) > [When you step out and do a song in a musical, the easier thing to do is make it funny. But when those transitions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelli-o-hara/when-you-step-out-and-do-a-song-in-a-musical-the-easier-thing-to-do/) [Kelli O'Hara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelli-o-hara/) > [I have really good lateral movement. I've always had quick lateral movement.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/austin-rivers/i-have-really-good-lateral-movement-i-ve-always-had-quick-lateral/) [Austin Rivers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/austin-rivers/) > [There is something magical about being able to feel somebody. And that is something that has always moved me with music.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-brink/there-is-something-magical-about-being-able-to-feel-somebody-and-that/) [Maria Brink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-brink/) > [Mythology is something that always has opportunities to explore. 'It' has been on Earth for millions of years. He's been in contact with humans…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-muschietti/mythology-is-something-that-always-has-opportunities-to-explore-it/) [Andy Muschietti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-muschietti/) > [It's not writing in the traditional sense, but I've always said that the writing process continues on the set and even into the editing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-b-weide/it-s-not-writing-in-the-traditional-sense-but-i-ve-always-said-that/) [Robert B. Weide](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-b-weide/) > [I always watch my matches back 100 times afterwards because that's how I improve. This is something I've always done, even in NXT.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mandy-rose/i-always-watch-my-matches-back-100-times-afterwards-because-that-s/) [Mandy Rose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mandy-rose/) > [I've always been of the idea that is doesn't really matter where you are geographically - with 'Lonerism,' we made half the album in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-parker/i-ve-always-been-of-the-idea-that-is-doesn-t-really-matter-where-you/) [Kevin Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-parker/) > [It's very easy to fool yourself that you're working, you know, when you're really not working very hard. I mean, I'm very lazy. So…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-caro/it-s-very-easy-to-fool-yourself-that-you-re-working-you-know-when-you/) [Robert Caro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-caro/) > [Whether it was Little League or playing with your brothers or sisters, that was always a problem. If I would lose - because I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cal-ripken-jr/whether-it-was-little-league-or-playing-with-your-brothers-or-sisters/) [Cal Ripken, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cal-ripken-jr/) > [I always say if you put someone from a small town into a big city for ten years, then when they go back, they'll…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-colter/i-always-say-if-you-put-someone-from-a-small-town-into-a-big-city-for/) [Mike Colter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-colter/) > [Bayern is always a team that can win the Champions League title in Europe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lothar-matthaus/bayern-is-always-a-team-that-can-win-the-champions-league-title-in/) [Lothar Matthaus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lothar-matthaus/) [Browse all 36,048 Always quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/always/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I have always been fascinated by cults and mind control, and specifically deprogramming from the cult.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Riley Stearns" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/riley-stearns/i-have-always-been-fascinated-by-cults-and-mind-control-and/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Always" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/riley-stearns/i-have-always-been-fascinated-by-cults-and-mind-control-and/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/096/riley-stearns-18275_always_i-have-always-been-fascinated-by-cults-a_3176219.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/096/riley-stearns-18275_always_i-have-always-been-fascinated-by-cults-a_3176219.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/096/riley-stearns-18275_always_i-have-always-been-fascinated-by-cults-a_3176219.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I have always been fascinated by cults and mind control, and specifically deprogramming from the cult.” — Riley Stearns", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Riley Stearns", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/riley-stearns/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I have always been fascinated by...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/riley-stearns/i-have-always-been-fascinated-by-cults-and-mind-control-and/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/riley-stearns/i-have-always-been-fascinated-by-cults-and-mind-control-and/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```