--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When people leave cults, they don't know…" description: "\"When people leave cults, they don't know that they left a cult.\" — Sean Durkin" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5ae/sean-durkin-21965_cult_when-people-leave-cults-they-don-t-know_807450.png" --- # When people leave cults, they don't know that they left a… ![“When people leave cults, they don't know that they left a cult.” quote by Sean Durkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5ae/sean-durkin-21965_cult_when-people-leave-cults-they-don-t-know_807450.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5ae/sean-durkin-21965_cult_when-people-leave-cults-they-don-t-know_807450.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5ae/sean-durkin-21965_cult_when-people-leave-cults-they-don-t-know_807450.png) > “When people leave cults, they don't know that they left a cult.” [Sean Durkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sean-durkin/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Leaving a cult often goes unnoticed because the mindset shift is gradual and subtle. **In simple terms:** People may not realize they exited a cult. Key Takeaway Recognize subtle signs of manipulation. Themes psychology control awakening Mood confused reflective Type cautionary analytical When to use this quote - personal relationships - self‑assessment - mental health - support groups Key Concepts cult dynamics identity loss Questions to Reflect On - How can one detect hidden influence? - What signs indicate a subtle exit? A Different Perspective Awareness can be delayed by denial and social pressure. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Cult](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cult/) [Cults](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cults/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) ## Related quotes > [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/) > [Actually there's a very bad trend in some cults about how Guru's are supposed to be mean to their students, and there are some…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-thurman/actually-there-s-a-very-bad-trend-in-some-cults-about-how-guru-s-are/) [Robert Thurman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-thurman/) > [The Christian church is an encyclopedia of prehistoric cults.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/friedrich-nietzsche/the-christian-church-is-an-encyclopedia-of-prehistoric-cults/) [Friedrich Nietzsche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-nietzsche/) > [Modern society has not rid itself of religion, as it fondly believes; it has merely replaced the historical religions by a host of idolatrous…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-herberg/modern-society-has-not-rid-itself-of-religion-as-it-fondly-believes/) [Will Herberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-herberg/) > [“It's a fucking cult, Paul." "So is the Catholic Church.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/courtney-summers/it-s-a-fucking-cult-paul-so-is-the-catholic-church/) [Courtney Summers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/courtney-summers/) > [Every new movement or group of people who seek to explore awareness is considered a cult. The United States was founded by several cults.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/every-new-movement-or-group-of-people-who-seek-to-explore-awareness/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [The world will see many fashions of art and most of the world will follow the fashions and make none. These cults - these…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-henri/the-world-will-see-many-fashions-of-art-and-most-of-the-world-will/) [Robert Henri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-henri/) > [“Among other things Jonestown was an example of a definition well known to sociologists of religion: a cult is a religion with no political…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-wolfe/among-other-things-jonestown-was-an-example-of-a-definition-well/) [Thomas Wolfe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-wolfe/) > [“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 > [“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 > [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/) > [ “When we're so caught up in a culture of consumerism \[and that is precisely what network marketing is, consumption as a cult\] images of… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-van-der-leek/when-we-re-so-caught-up-in-a-culture-of-consumerism-and-that-is/) Nick van der Leek ## More by Sean Durkin > [I'm a believer in film school.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sean-durkin/i-m-a-believer-in-film-school/) [Sean Durkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sean-durkin/) > [The trappings of a religious cult tend to fall into candlelit ceremonies and robes and group chanting and singing and prayer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sean-durkin/the-trappings-of-a-religious-cult-tend-to-fall-into-candlelit/) [Sean Durkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sean-durkin/) > [I remember being at school during morning meeting and looking around at everybody, 350 kids, saying a prayer. We're all very young and no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sean-durkin/i-remember-being-at-school-during-morning-meeting-and-looking-around/) [Sean Durkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sean-durkin/) > [When I hire actors I believe in their abilities.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sean-durkin/when-i-hire-actors-i-believe-in-their-abilities/) [Sean Durkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sean-durkin/) > [In editing, it's amazing how you choose the in and out points. What you cut on is everything for creating tension. It's amazing how…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sean-durkin/in-editing-it-s-amazing-how-you-choose-the-in-and-out-points-what-you/) [Sean Durkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sean-durkin/) > [I always try to keep the confidence of the actors, and try my best to make them feel comfortable or confident.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sean-durkin/i-always-try-to-keep-the-confidence-of-the-actors-and-try-my-best-to/) [Sean Durkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sean-durkin/) > [It's sort of one ongoing process where writing ends and directing starts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sean-durkin/it-s-sort-of-one-ongoing-process-where-writing-ends-and-directing/) [Sean Durkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sean-durkin/) > [Well, first of all, making films is a collaborative process. You need people. You need people you trust and love and who are your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sean-durkin/well-first-of-all-making-films-is-a-collaborative-process-you-need/) [Sean Durkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sean-durkin/) > [I won't rewrite on set, but I'll just trim the fat.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sean-durkin/i-won-t-rewrite-on-set-but-i-ll-just-trim-the-fat/) [Sean Durkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sean-durkin/) > [What I learned from directing, I learned from soccer, where it's like a coach-player relationship.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sean-durkin/what-i-learned-from-directing-i-learned-from-soccer-where-it-s-like-a/) [Sean Durkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sean-durkin/) > [The way brainwashing works is subtle and takes a long time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sean-durkin/the-way-brainwashing-works-is-subtle-and-takes-a-long-time/) [Sean Durkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sean-durkin/) > [You know, when you're isolated on set for like a month, people like to get rowdy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sean-durkin/you-know-when-you-re-isolated-on-set-for-like-a-month-people-like-to/) [Sean Durkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sean-durkin/) > [When someone stays with you and they're not your guest, even when they are your guest they get on your nerves. When people visit…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sean-durkin/when-someone-stays-with-you-and-they-re-not-your-guest-even-when-they/) [Sean Durkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sean-durkin/) > [I would like to do a sports movie.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sean-durkin/i-would-like-to-do-a-sports-movie/) [Sean Durkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sean-durkin/) > [A big fear of working with an actor that's never been a lead in a film before is that you're going to have to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sean-durkin/a-big-fear-of-working-with-an-actor-that-s-never-been-a-lead-in-a/) [Sean Durkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sean-durkin/) [Explore all 28 Sean Durkin quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sean-durkin/) ## More Cult quotes > [What sets worlds in motion is the interplay of differences, their attractions and repulsions. Life is plurality, death is uniformity. By suppressing differences and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/octavio-paz/what-sets-worlds-in-motion-is-the-interplay-of-differences-their/) [Octavio Paz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/octavio-paz/) > [Only two to three per cent of an audience is interested in words and pays attention to lyrics; most of the rest of it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-stewart/only-two-to-three-per-cent-of-an-audience-is-interested-in-words-and/) [Al Stewart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-stewart/) > [“Religion, like science, is only noteworthy when it emphasizes a matter of what is true rather than whose belief is greater or lesser or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/criss-jami/religion-like-science-is-only-noteworthy-when-it-emphasizes-a-matter/) [Criss Jami](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/criss-jami/) > [he cult of productivity has its place, but worshipping at its altar daily robs us of the very capacity for joy and wonder that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-popova/he-cult-of-productivity-has-its-place-but-worshipping-at-its-altar/) [Maria Popova](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-popova/) > [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/) > [“Koch believed that what the famed economist Joseph Schumpeter called "creative destruction" was so critical to the health of the capitalist system that empathy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nancy-maclean/koch-believed-that-what-the-famed-economist-joseph-schumpeter-called/) [Nancy MacLean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nancy-maclean/) > [I really hate those Internet freaks who take each thirty minute bundle of joy and turn it into a cult game of Where's Wally.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/danny-baker/i-really-hate-those-internet-freaks-who-take-each-thirty-minute/) [Danny Baker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/danny-baker/) > [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/) > [The star system, the idol, the cult of personality is not the only way to be in entertainment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/guy-manuel-de-homem-christo/the-star-system-the-idol-the-cult-of-personality-is-not-the-only-way/) [Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/guy-manuel-de-homem-christo/) > [“since she would never have practised the cult of these things, she would take no impious delight in their profanation.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcel-proust/since-she-would-never-have-practised-the-cult-of-these-things-she/) [Marcel Proust](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcel-proust/) > [I don't think it takes much for a cult to be a cult. Many parts of our society are cultish, and you only need…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerome-flynn/i-don-t-think-it-takes-much-for-a-cult-to-be-a-cult-many-parts-of-our/) [Jerome Flynn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerome-flynn/) > [Zippers are primal and modern at the very same time. On the one hand, your zipper is primitive and reptilian, on the other, mechanical…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-robbins/zippers-are-primal-and-modern-at-the-very-same-time-on-the-one-hand/) [Tom Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-robbins/) > [“Once I knew what I was doing I was there and with it; I had the total knowing. I Googled God and orgasmed At…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/initially-no/once-i-knew-what-i-was-doing-i-was-there-and-with-it-i-had-the-total/) Initially NO > [“Ms Brennan is telling the very few people who attended an educational event: "You are warriors against the cult of stupidity that is taking…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wendy-wunder/ms-brennan-is-telling-the-very-few-people-who-attended-an-educational/) [Wendy Wunder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wendy-wunder/) > [Hinduism... gave itself no name, because it set itself no sectarian limits; it claimed no universal adhesion, asserted no sole infallible dogma, set up…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sri-aurobindo/hinduism-gave-itself-no-name-because-it-set-itself-no-sectarian/) [Sri Aurobindo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sri-aurobindo/) [Browse all 750 Cult quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cult/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "When people leave cults, they don't know that they left a cult.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Sean Durkin" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sean-durkin/when-people-leave-cults-they-don-t-know-that-they-left-a-cult/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Cult" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sean-durkin/when-people-leave-cults-they-don-t-know-that-they-left-a-cult/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5ae/sean-durkin-21965_cult_when-people-leave-cults-they-don-t-know_807450.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5ae/sean-durkin-21965_cult_when-people-leave-cults-they-don-t-know_807450.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5ae/sean-durkin-21965_cult_when-people-leave-cults-they-don-t-know_807450.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“When people leave cults, they don't know that they left a cult.” — Sean Durkin", "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": "Sean Durkin", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sean-durkin/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "When people leave cults, they don't...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sean-durkin/when-people-leave-cults-they-don-t-know-that-they-left-a-cult/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sean-durkin/when-people-leave-cults-they-don-t-know-that-they-left-a-cult/#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 } } ] } ```