Criteria Of a Cult
Getting involved with groups - can be dangerous.
But that doesnt mean we have to stay away from everyone!
Rather, we can learn to assess any given group on its merits.
One danger can be cults.
A cult can be identified by controlling leadership. It's about behaviors more than beliefs (though bad beliefs can lead to bad behaviours.) Therefore, not only religious groups can behave like a cult - so can businesses, employers, government institutions, even social groups.
So be aware of these simple criteria of a cult, so you can make your own assessments, if you're wondering about any group of people. (I'm only joking about the Wiggles). Fore-warned is fore-armed.
Here are the criteria:
1. Authoritarian, dominating structure [vs Empowering structure
2. Allegiance to only one person’s teaching [vs Various input
3. The only group with the way to paradise [vs Recognize other groups
4. Submissive & unquestioning loyalty [vs Critical loyalty
5. Suspicious of “outsiders” [vs Open to all
6. Closed secrets, or even deliberate lies (justifying deception.) [vs Honesty Open access
7. Mind control techniques, fatigue, repetition, intimidation, manipulation, [vs Fair argument encouraged
8. Total control over all aspects of members lives. Stopping freedoms to choose: theological, spiritual, social, psychological, choices, etc. [vs Empower to work out implications
9. Require substantial financial support to the group [vs Finance a marginal matter
10. Lives totally absorbed in group activities [vs Encourage wider life
11. Lose personal identity (including name changes) [vs Individuality valued
12. Personality changes, paranoia / persecution complex [vs Healthier self-image
13. Social disorientation – unable to socialize outside the group [vs Interaction outside group encouraged
14. Severe guilt complexes [vs Forgiveness & Acceptance
List adapted from www.culthelp.info /
But that doesnt mean we have to stay away from everyone!
Rather, we can learn to assess any given group on its merits.
One danger can be cults.
A cult can be identified by controlling leadership. It's about behaviors more than beliefs (though bad beliefs can lead to bad behaviours.) Therefore, not only religious groups can behave like a cult - so can businesses, employers, government institutions, even social groups.
So be aware of these simple criteria of a cult, so you can make your own assessments, if you're wondering about any group of people. (I'm only joking about the Wiggles). Fore-warned is fore-armed.
Here are the criteria:
1. Authoritarian, dominating structure [vs Empowering structure
2. Allegiance to only one person’s teaching [vs Various input
3. The only group with the way to paradise [vs Recognize other groups
4. Submissive & unquestioning loyalty [vs Critical loyalty
5. Suspicious of “outsiders” [vs Open to all
6. Closed secrets, or even deliberate lies (justifying deception.) [vs Honesty Open access
7. Mind control techniques, fatigue, repetition, intimidation, manipulation, [vs Fair argument encouraged
8. Total control over all aspects of members lives. Stopping freedoms to choose: theological, spiritual, social, psychological, choices, etc. [vs Empower to work out implications
9. Require substantial financial support to the group [vs Finance a marginal matter
10. Lives totally absorbed in group activities [vs Encourage wider life
11. Lose personal identity (including name changes) [vs Individuality valued
12. Personality changes, paranoia / persecution complex [vs Healthier self-image
13. Social disorientation – unable to socialize outside the group [vs Interaction outside group encouraged
14. Severe guilt complexes [vs Forgiveness & Acceptance
List adapted from www.culthelp.info /
