I just watched a few episodes of Leah Remini’s Scientology Series on Netflix.
It is a reflection of reality that any organized institution in which sociopathic types gain power operates in a similar fashion to maintain that power: promise, indoctrination, care-taking, loss of self-identity, further propaganda, authoritarian police state tactics, and finally, submission -- while still believing in "the altruistic cause".
Basically, every time one believes strongly in a specific religion, or a political party, or an institutionalized ideology of any kind where power is held at the top, they have become part of a cult.
I remember reading L. Ron Hubbard's (the founder of Scientology) book “Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health” years ago, and found it useful to me at the time. I wonder if he envisioned the cult-like dynasty that has evolved from that? Many movements start with good intentions and then turn to shit when the wrong people gain control.
Just thinking out loud. I don't have the answers -- except that most of us are part of the cult of a cultural and geopolitical war against our better selves, whether we know it or not.