So, why is it considered abuse for cult leaders to sleep with their followers?
Well, there is an imbalance of power and the cult leader is exploiting that imbalance in order to obtain favors he normally wouldn’t be able to receive. Because he is old and ugly? I mean, women are attracted to powerful men—that’s an old thing. But we are speaking of a guru—a revered mentor—someone in a position of great power and authority. While it’s not against the law, it is certainly frowned upon in our society for people in those positions to abuse their authority. It is no different from if a psychiatrist were to have an affair with a particularly vulnerable patient. But in that case the relationship is clearly defined as non-sexual and the patient is seeking medical help. Isn’t the cult thing more like a teacher-student relationship? Well again, even teacher-student relationships are frowned upon, but no—I would say it is different. These people have great authority. These people have such authority that they are telling their followers how to live their lives. Literally. Thei
