Prelim: A newspaper reports on the arrest of Henry Taylor and then goes on to talk about religious cults.       No Going Back, Chapter Twenty-Six, Page 153 Joseph Rossetti, of the of the Cheyenne Tribune has been following the story and has taken a personal interest in this growing trend of religious communes. Although his sources remain confidential, Rossetti reports that Baker was a self-ordained preacher who, gifted with a subtle type of persuasion, easily obtained the trust of his followers. Then, with methods of deception and emotional black-mail, was able to keep his members under stringent obedience. This doesn’t just happen. These followers are not weak, insane, or simple minded but usually rather stable and intelligent. If anything, they may be, for any number of reasons, vulnerable at the time. Chances are they are lured by a powerful sense of elation or expectation. If asked, these members would probably say that the leader could be truly benevolent, gentle, and compassionate. Ultimately, these individuals would become dependant on his attentiveness and approval. Then, whether be it out of feelings of need, obligation or gratitude, they would carry out his commands; believing that in doing so also meant winning God’s favor; that all these actions and behaviors were justified in His eyes. When all seemed well and good, the leader was glorified. But if ever something did not feel right, they had only themselves, their own weaknesses and shortcomings to blame. Authoritarian leaders such as Joshua Baker are dangerous people. They don’t give up their “flock” easily. Baker was not above coercion, torture and possibly even murder to maintain his power over the group. Rossetti says that from what he has learned, “The main thing to be wary of when considering membership in a religious organization is if a group isolates themselves from the outside world…”