All religions use a form of mental conditioning very much like hypnosis to mind wash their followers. If the leaders of these cults are successful their victims will experience euphoria along with a host of possible hallucinations. This disruption of thought processes is camouflaged by using the label "spiritual connection".

Individuals under the control of these "spiritual connections" are unaware that their whole thought process has been compromised. No matter the evidence, no matter the logic of any argument, anything that opposes the programmed message instilled by their religious leader is rejected. On those things that do not oppose their indoctrinated programming they can and do use reason. This is why even though on the matters of their religion they appear crazed, they seem otherwise reasonable people.

 http://www.positiveatheism.org/hist/johnson2.htm