I agree with Kim Stamp. My impression of the use of the American sweat lodge reference was not to demean Native Americans. I got the impression that the event was appropriated inappropriately. Sure, she could have gone on about the shelf's contents, but then that was her prerogative. She doesn't have to share her secrets for us to be able to relate to a compromise of self or an experienced cognitive dissonance. I am sure we have all experienced it at some time. If you want to write a story about your experiences in a cult, please do so. But her story was enough for me to feel my own experiences. Are you projecting your need to defend something that wasn't at risk? I can't speak for others, but I saw the misappropriation by the cult of the sweat lodge. Here is where she says this in bold: "But they are huge appropriators of First Nations’ ceremonies and traditions."