Once upon a dystopian world, the line between reality and fantasy blurred and became an illusion of taking one into a different realm of consciousness. We all enjoyed and continue to enjoy cult-based documentaries and the theories that are built around them, that we don’t mind spending hours watching and analyzing every concept to design our own hypothesis and ideologies. But let us not forget that once upon a time this used to be a pastime activity meant for escapism, but not anymore.
Streaming services platforms are becoming increasingly aware of people’s interest in cult cultures and the crimes that are committed based on ideologies developed within the belief system of the community. For us viewers, it’s fun and scary at the same time. But for others, it’s a story of survival and going through life while being unconsciously involved in something that is based on pure fantasy of the mind. It’s not the authority of the universe or the power of imagination, it’s more of the influence that creates a bold line to make people believe and obey.
All cults are formed around a specific theme that builds its foundation and the hierarchy system to be followed. But there’s a specific pattern that never changes. And it’s the thematic ideology of (obedience) and (loyalty). Now the question is, obedience to who? And loyalty to what?. Answering this question is a long journey of being in a loophole of an open-ended relationship between cult leaders and their followers. It’s where no specific answer is given, and no direct evidence is available to support any kind of arguments and bases.
It’s an imaginary world that includes powerful characters and devoted followers who will constantly obey. Why? One would ask, it’s because of a prophecy and a myth that their story was built on. Those kind of falsifications destroyed people’s rationality and consciousness, they were and continue to be barred from the world due to their fear of being perceived and doomed.
Yet, it’s important to acknowledge that there’s a huge difference between a religion and a cult that is based on personal beliefs. Cults are groups that are built on authority and fear. They are mostly led by psychopaths and sociopaths who lived a life of isolation and mainstream oppression and manipulation. With that, their childhood traumas are acted upon as they become more aware of their surroundings and the power they have as adults.
Operating on false prophesies that were created using pure imagination and inhabiting the role of a new messiah, cult leaders continue to construct scenarios to generate credibility of their stories and beliefs. It’s one of the many ways to make their followers not only obey, but also believe that their leader is their only line of worship and reasoning. There are multiple interpretations and examples of such leaders and groups. But one of the biggest and most popular among all are the FLDS. The FLDS are known to be a closed knitted community who are modest in their behavior, lifestyle, beliefs and most importantly the way they dress.
Women and girls are known to have long hair and are always seen in modest long sleeve dresses. That is a common feature which people are often aware of as time passes. However, what makes this group more likely to grab the attention from outsiders and law enforcement is the fact that they believe in polygamy when it’s against the law. But that’s not the only concerning aspect of the case, a patriarch can have as many wives as he wants due to the belief that God demanded him to, and the wives can be as young as 16 and even 10 years of age. Parents and adults never questioned their leaders, which is why giving away their minors to older men was never an issue to consider. In fact, they took pride due to the belief that it’s their duty to fulfill the spiritual demand that was appointed by God and his prophet, who is their leader. Questions pop in everyone’s mind as the line between reality and imagination is being extremely dangerous and decisive.
Using the higher power to justify actions of violence and abuse of a child’s and a woman’s innocence is not an acceptable approach that law enforcement and prosecutors will ever consider and agree with. However, it’s unfortunate to say that those women and children are in consent of what’s happening due to the belief that God asked them to. And they are in contact with a prophet who will not only save them spiritually, but is also chosen by a stronger entity. God. In the context of religious beliefs, it’s inaccurate to assume that cults are real religions when they are unrealistic stories and expectations that are meant to manipulate people and specifically women and children into obeying. Obeying men who believe themselves to be chosen by a higher power, when in reality the propaganda is nothing but a plot that has been created to justify and fulfill their desires.
Trust Me: The False Prophet, is a new documentary on a Netflix that follows the story of the FLDS group after Jeff Warrant’s arrest. But the twist in this documentary is based on greed and desire that have not been fulfilled yet. That said, a new group within the FLDS community has been created to follow the teachings of Jeff Warrant who is imprisoned and demanded his followers not to get married and have children. However, a follower within the community created a new group of his own where he appointed himself as a prophet after Jeff. Not only that but he justified his actions by officially stating in a document that Jeff Warrant chose him to lead. Which makes everyone in the community a follower of his. That also opened the door for him to have multiple wives who in the documentary have been shown to be as young as 10, 16, up to early twenties.
Christine and her husband Tolga’s journey of unfolding hidden mysteries and secrets of Sam’s group and his intention of becoming the new leader and prophet have grown into an important element of reality. Something that both Christine and Tolga did not expect and was never meant to be revealed. The unexpected surprise took matters into a new spotlight that concerned the well-being of young women and children who were brainwashed into believing that Sam is the chosen prophet and their only savior.
Although both Christine and Tolga knew about the red flags that were going on, from child abuse and physical violence, they continued recording and keeping track of Sam’s moves. And what made documenting much easier was the fact that Sam wanted to be on camera. He wanted to speak and he wanted his alleged girls as he called them, to showcase the truth of life within the community. But with every proceeding episode, it showed that what the girls were going through was pure evil and manipulation. And with that, Christine’s mission was to take the case to law enforcement and get child protection services involved.
It’s a hard documentary to watch, and a painful reality to witness. However, what both Christine and Tolga did, was powerful and important. It sheds the light on cult groups who have been hiding behind closed doors, manipulating vulnerable individuals into complete submission of the soul and body. All based on stories that they created and are now acting on. It’s a tale of women empowerment and how one should always use reason of the mind over obedience and submission that is based on fear. In the end, it’s a world of possibilities and it’s for the wise to make the best use of the most powerful force. Our voice and rationality.
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