I believe that alot of these evil cult organizations are created by intelligence agencies. It's perfect propaganda for these evil organizations when say the US empire bombs innocent women and children with drones. The pictures, stories, and remembrances of the the terrorism that the US empire are long-term recruitment tools for later followers. BUT, the psychological causes are the deeper rooted aspects to be looked at here. These psychological causes are, I belief, the roots for people joining cults in general.
#1- Parental abandonment issues
#2- Self Hatred due to lack of respect
#3- Refusal to own personal responsibility
#4- Willful ignorance
Lastly, the psychopathic programming in society's can't be ignored either.