[OBW]

It will probably depend on where you live and how you leave. If you just leave, don't cut off contact with your family, and don't bring up why, you have a chance. If they ask, you can tell them a little. Tell them something true and meaningful (to you personally, not just general) but somehow indicate that you don't want it to be a family barrier. Best not to talk about the group simply being a cult. Leave any more detailed discussion for later when you are both calmer and clearer.

The reason that I mention where you live, the particular elders in your city will be a factor. While we were in the hotbed of Texas (DFW area), the primary elders there were not likely to get involved unless there was a lot of negativity stated at the time. And we just wanted a change and were left alone. And I think the elders knew better than to try to inject themselves into our extended family on the issue.

In my case, our family (Dad, Mom, me, and younger brother and sister) joined together at the beginning of 73. I and my wife (met in LC) left together in August 87. We didn't talk about it with them then. Still did some family things with them (all still in the same metro area). But in about 2006 the subject finally came up. Since we then had a 19-year history of civility from the outside, the 1-1/2 hour of "dumping on them" (which was not personal about them) was difficult but did not close the door. My Mom died only about a year and a half later, and then in about 2012/2013, my Dad got fed up and began to attend a Bible church. Brother (an elder, I think) and sister and their families still mostly there. We have again moved to leaving the LC as the elephant in the room. Back after it first came up, my sister tried to ask a question, but my honest answer was not what she expected and it dropped.

There are several other experiences, but they are probably somewhat unique to the dynamic of our extended family.