In this episode of My Wife Joined a Cult, Dr. Benjamin Zeller, an expert on new religious movements, dives deep into the complexities of cults and new religious movements. He shares his insights on the blurred lines between new religions and cults, focusing on how groups form around charismatic leaders and how the term “cult” often carries negative connotations. Zeller’s expertise provides a nuanced view of why people join such movements, highlighting the emotional, spiritual, and psychological factors at play.

Guest Bio: Dr. Benjamin Zeller is an associate professor and chair of the Department of Religion at Lake Forest College, specializing in new religious movements, religion and science, and American religious history. He is known for his research on groups like Heaven’s Gate and the interaction between religion and popular culture. His work offers a balanced academic perspective on the motivations behind why people join new religious movements and the societal responses to these groups.