Page "Exit counseling" Paragraph 34

Another point of critique is the fact that exit counseling presumes the group has used some sort of mind control or manipulation on the person, so that the person's informed choice regarding the group is in some way altered.

In contrast, adherents of NRMs, theologians, and also some proponents of the counter-cult movement ( especially those of Calvinistic tradition ) deny that mind control exists or that manipulation could be a factor in choosing a religious affiliation.

An argument used in this context is that " exit counseling " is merely " mind control in reverse ", a case of " fighting fire with fire ".

So, even if some degree of coercive persuasion was used to recruit a member into an unpopular new religious movement, coercing him out of the movement would be a clear case of " two wrongs don't make a right ".

And further, it is argued that the success of exit counseling could depend on forcing the belief on the follower that he is " a victim of cult mind control ".