Mikejw, there is no disaster coming to rural Buckinghamshire that justifies instilling this fear of catastrophe in an old lady.
She's at the point in her life when she just needs to relax, enjoy the grandchildren and great-grandchildren and be taken care of by her husband and family.
Of course she's being manipulated! These insidious tactics are used simply to engender loyalty and dependence on the cult. How can you not see that?