Religious embitterment

Religious embitterment

As you can imagine this is quite a sensitive topic. Consider a person who grows up in a sect - meaning any assembly of people where certain (severe) methods of indoctrination are applied and critical thinking heavily restricted or even banned. 

It may even be that a ‘member’ or follower of such a sect is unaware of what is going on and may even feel protected in a (pseudo-)safe environment.


Let’s assume that one day (most likely after a long ordeal) such a follower breaks free and starts a new life under their own control. 

Will this person feel any embitterment about the experienced manipulation, psychological deformation and loss of valuable life time? Will they be ashamed about having been that stupid to have spent such a long time in this sect? Why haven’t they escaped earlier? Was it self-complacency? 

Why has God allowed to become trapped for such a long time and so badly misled? Why was there no (heavenly) protection? How is it possible that religious leaders fail that miserably and still believe they are right?


Yes, having been trapped in a sect (or any other rigorous political or religious group/organization) may lead to long-lasting embitterment (see former blogs about Sintemalen). Other personality disorders may apply as well.

So, what to do? Is there a possible remedy?



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