You might want to check out 'Conversion' by Katherine Howe. It weaves a story of a mysterious cult and the impact on the young characters. The plot is engaging and the character development is well-done.
Cults in fiction are often portrayed as secretive and controlling groups. They usually have a charismatic leader who manipulates the members. For example, in many horror novels, cults are involved in dark rituals.
Books about cults fiction usually depict a restricted or warped sense of reality. Take '1984' for example. The Party controls all information, and people are made to accept 'doublethink'. This shows how a cult - like entity can manipulate the perception of truth. They also may include the idea of a false utopia, where on the surface everything seems perfect but in reality, it's a place of oppression.
No. Writing about evil cults can be dangerous as it may inadvertently promote their ideas or give them a platform, even if the intention is to expose or condemn them.
Stephen King's 'Misery' can also be considered. The relationship between the deranged fan Annie and the writer Paul is somewhat cult - like. Annie's extreme actions to keep Paul captive and force him to write according to her wishes show a form of obsessive and controlling behavior similar to cults.
I'm not aware of any positive or justifiable stories from sex cults as they are extremely harmful and unethical institutions. Usually, if there are any 'accounts' it might be about coercion, abuse, and the loss of personal freedom. But it's important to note that sex cults are illegal and immoral, and we should not promote or give them any form of positive light.
A frequent theme related to cults in fiction is the idea of false salvation. The cults might promise their members something extraordinary, like eternal life or special powers, but it's all a ruse. Also, the theme of brainwashing is common. Fictional cults use various methods to make their members believe in their ideas without question. For instance, in some dystopian fictions, cults play a role in controlling the masses by brainwashing them into believing in a false ideology.
Advocates of science and opposition to cults is one of the common topics in many novels.
1. Science is the foundation for the progress of human civilization, while cults are a stumbling block to human progress.
2. Science was the spiritual embodiment of human beings 'pursuit of truth, while cults tried to achieve their goals through mysterious forces or supernatural means.
People who advocate science focus on evidence and logical reasoning, while cults often emphasize faith and subjective assumptions.
People who advocate science dare to challenge tradition and be creative, while cults try to mystify or deny the authenticity of scientific results.
Opposing cults requires advocating the spirit of science because cults are often the opposite of science, trying to achieve their goals through deception and superstition.
The risks are numerous. Firstly, there's the psychological harm. Members may be indoctrinated with harmful beliefs from the misinterpreted fiction, leading to mental health issues. Socially, it can break families apart as cult members often prioritize the cult over their real - life relationships. Economically, they can be exploited by cult leaders who claim to be following the fictional book's 'teachings' but are really just after money. And in extreme cases, there can be physical harm if the cult engages in dangerous practices inspired by the fictional content.
There could be a protagonist who is perhaps an adventurer or a scholar. They might be the ones to first uncover the existence of the cults of the dragon below and then be drawn into the conflict against them.