If you were brought up in a cult Christian religion then you'll have an "in" to what's going on. I don't think it's based on any one cult but is a very clever mix of several that I'm aware of and grew up in. E.g. The cult I was associated with did discourage going to college and encouraged full time door to door ministry.
This series though adds humour to the situation and although the elder arrangement appears made up. Heck it cuts close to home especially the controls exerted and gossiping by elders wives.
My wife and I crack up with the dating ritual and ducking down to avoid being seen unshaperoned. That is true to life LOL.
