Andries wrote:
(I agree with Mike that you probably won't be affected by the brainwashing propaganda if you have been warned in advance)

Hennna wrote:
I agree .......probably.......if.......Not too sure, eh?

Would the person close their ears, eyes, and for how long? Would it be important who does the warning?

It seems you are implying that if a ex-cult member warns you a person can be “immune” to being brainwashed. I received many warnings from loved ones, friends, my own guts feelings, books read before I received K, etc. Nothing helped me, nothing stopped me.

There is a difference between general warnings against "cults" and "gurus" by persons who have little knowledge and experience and the detailed information and criticism by ex-member. The latter will be, I think, many times more impressive than the former.

I think to get indoctrinated by a cult you would have to be
1. a religious seeker
2. get attracted by the message of that particular cult
3. not be in the possession of counter evidence against its claims or detailed critisms of its beliefs and practices

When I went to the introduction meeting of Elan Vital none of these three conditions were fulfilled so I felt that I was wasting my time there.

An other example. Do you really think that SSB literature and speaking with the followers of SSB can indoctrinate you after reading the information of the website of former follower of SSB (http://www.exbaba.com) Yes, I admit that there is a small chance that this will happen, especially if you hear or experience a miracle (event that cannot be explained easily rationally). But again, I think that the chance is neglible.

Another thing, detailed criticism and counterevidence presented by ex-members will probably prevent getting sucked in deeply. And I think that in case of these relatively harmless cults (when compared to Heaven's Gate, Solar Temple, Peoples Temple etc) only the members who were deeply (and their loved ones) will be harmed.