One definition of a template-
“something that establishes or serves as a pattern”
It’s very useful to read the experiences of other people leaving cults. Almost all describe very similar issues with reintegrating into the wider world.
In my example, I missed the sense of community in the cult. I missed, I believe, the feeling of being “special” and knowing something everyone should know, that came with being a premie. I hadn’t really, learned the lesson that extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence.
So like thinking an impromptu unprepared speech in class will be well received- I believed without much evidence at all that a small group of people knew a heck of a lot more about childbirth than people who had degrees, studied research with the skills to interpet research, and had vast experience. There is a huge attraction of special knowledge, and no doubt the failures of health care that are very real contribute to people being vulnerable to “secret” and easy beliefs. Not so different from the 1970s and the 2020s being very confusing times to live in making folks vulnerable to what is coined “Conspirituality”.
