I was thinking about this yesterday, and what we saw was cult behavior in assaulting the capitol. What causes cultists to do terrible things?

It's all complicated, but a large element comes from what's called "programming." (1/11)

I'm actually a huge believer that 99% of people are inherently good. Yes, everyone makes bad choices, but we try to stay on the net positive of things.

Cults have to tap into that in order to get people to do bad things. (2/11)

Programming for cults is complex, but one key part is creating language that aligns specific behavior with positive/negative words. No one wants to be a terrorist, but most people want to be "brave" or be "warriors." Everyone wants peace, but no one wants to be "weak." (3/11)

Almost no one buys into this the first time they hear it; the words get deposited, infect, fester - often, years pass as morals become immoral, as evil becomes good. The more you hear a phrase, the more it becomes true to you; that's how our brains are wired. (4/11)

As it turns out, it's a helluva lot easier to program someone who already partly agrees with you. "Well, I think Trump is dumb, but he's right that we should be able to defend ourselves." It's innocent enough. (5/11)

The more dangerous statements test the waters, often with hypotheticals. "Would you do ____ for the country?" "Would you defend her with guns?" "Are you willing to kill for the US?"

These hypotheticals shape people. (6/11)

How do people respond to this? "Are you willing to kill for the US?"
"I don't think I'm brave enough."
"If it's to protect our people."
The answers here turn a negative to positive. Killing now equals bravery and protection. (7/11)

By repeating those answers, you start to believe the implications; fighting for your leader is brave. It's protection.

The most difficult part, though, is realizing this happened to you. (8/11)

Step back. Think, "Do I support someone despite what they say?" "Am I afraid to speak out against an action because of possible consequences?" "Do these leaders' morals come with an asterisk?"

If so, you may be getting programmed. (9/11)

The most important thing to do is maintain your right to call out people's actions and make it clear they're not okay. If the rest of the group turns on you, they're a cult; you need out of there, fast. (10/11)

At the end of the day, no one wants to get shot and killed while breaking into a government building.

Unless it's "brave." Unless it's what the leader wants.

I say this as a former cult member. This is dangerous stuff. (11/11)

(PS) If you've done terrible things, you can still leave. You're still a person. Yes, there may be consequences, but with time and work, you can help right those wrongs. Start a new life.