One reason some people don't get involved with groups, is a fear of getting "sucked into a cult." So rather than simply stay away from everyone, here's a list to help you assess any social group on its cult-like-ness.
It's not so much about beliefs, as behaviors. 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. Make your own assessments, if you're wondering about any group of people. Fore-warned is fore-armed.
Here are the criteria:
1. Authoritarian, dominating structure [vs Empowering structure
2. Allegiance to 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 (justified deception.) [vs Honesty Open access
7. Mind control techniques, to control members fatigue, repetition, intimidation, manipulation, threats, [vs Fair argument encouraged
8. Total control over all aspects of members lives - Abuse members’ freedoms & rights 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 Non-conditional Acceptance
List adapted from www.culthelp.info /
It's not so much about beliefs, as behaviors. 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. Make your own assessments, if you're wondering about any group of people. Fore-warned is fore-armed.
Here are the criteria:
1. Authoritarian, dominating structure [vs Empowering structure
2. Allegiance to 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 (justified deception.) [vs Honesty Open access
7. Mind control techniques, to control members fatigue, repetition, intimidation, manipulation, threats, [vs Fair argument encouraged
8. Total control over all aspects of members lives - Abuse members’ freedoms & rights 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 Non-conditional Acceptance
List adapted from www.culthelp.info /
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