[TLFisher]

Originally Posted by Freedom

An attitude of indifference to some of the bizarre things is probably more common than leaders would like to think. I've seen people shake their heads or roll their eyes when someone stands up and attempts to recite a nonsensical and run-on sentence. What ultimately determines whether members stay or leave is how sold they are on the LC. They could be absolutely miserable in the LC, but if they buy into the notions that they alone are God's elect or that there is nowhere else that has anything of value, then they will be stuck.

As I see it, leaders are taking a gamble. They depend on giving members some sort of so-called 'vision' that will make them loyal to the LC. Most of the time it works. If it does, they can then collect training/conference fees and sell books. It doesn't really matter what is said in those conferences or books. As long as members are sold on the system, content is irrelevant. Like I say, it's a gamble, and sometimes they lose. Every now and then, long time members simply disappear.

As long as the losses aren't significant, they can continue to play their little game. Of course, every once in a while, mass disillusionment comes. Then leaders have to put a spin on things. They attempt to call disillusionment other things, using words like turmoil, rebellion or conspiracy.

What makes people stay? Considering my parents, I can only come up with the social connections and being sold out for the ground doctrine.