cult characteristics

[exit_and_how]

in response to some of the fad “religions” that seem to capture so many, i wanted to begin a thread about cults. i compiled a list of cult charateristics and would welcome discussion and addition of it (also, not all the items apply to all cults). here it is:

cults may pressure a person to do things that the person didn’t really want to do.

cults may sexually harrass individuals within the group - for example, saying that a person has to sleep with the leader or trying to get him/her to do some practice that they do not feel comfortable with. in exreme cases, cults use rape. some cults do things outside of a country’s borders where laws about these practices are nonexistent or not enforced.

cults prey on vulnerable people - people who lack social networks, friends - people who desperately need a group for support. in fact, the cult group may provide some love, but it does more harm than good, i.e. has costs - monetary, social, physical, spiritual, mental that all end up hurting.

cults may brainwash a person by surrounding the person with a limited ideology (and prohibiting access to other points of view or requiring that those be put into the context of the cult’s doctrine). this cult ideology might contain some truth but would contain half-truths, half-baked ideas, weird notions, superstitions, falicies, etc. it some cases, limited ideas about race are included.

cults often require absolute devotion to one leader (who cannot really be questioned and is never wrong).

cults may be charging a person for “services”. this may end up devastating a person financially where these “services” are exorbitantly priced. the effects of those “services” may be enticing but end up being temporary.

cults may use threatening measures to ensure compliance, such as whispering campaigns, slandering one’s reputation, blacklisting, etc... often cults masquerading as a religion use information gained in confession as a manipulation technique (blackmail).

cults may monitor members (even after escaping). this would obviously be physically following a person around. it is usually not very hard to find out where a person lives, where they work, who they talk to, and who are their enemies and friends. but monitoring also includes mental/spiritual monitoring. in these ways, privacy is compromised (for possibly years). in extreme cases, the cults may attack the friends and/or relationships of the victim and help the enemies of the victim (even if they have no association with the cult).

cults may separate a person from their family and friends. this may be physical or mental/spiritual. it may be forced upon a member or it may be a requirement to remain a member, be in good standing within the group, etc... sometimes whole families get trapped in a cult - and the relationships in a family are often used as leverage, e.g. something bad will happen to so-and-so if the person does not do as commanded; or if the person leaves, something bad will happen to the other family members; or if the person does not do as told, he/she will be outcast from the family.

cults use PSYOPS techniques. PSYOPS is a term used in the military that means psychological operations. this includes methods of mind control - hypnotic suggestions, putting ideas into a person’s mind, preventing a person from thinking for him/herself, etc... it may include weakening a person so that their psych is more pliable, such as depriving the person of sleep, food, etc... PSYOPS also include sending nightmares to deviant members or people perceived to be a threat to the organization.

cults may drug individuals - this could be used in combination wth PSYOPS techniques.

cults generally do not let members leave - going to extremes to prevent that person from doing so... this includes detaining a person physically but also includes using any PSYOPS or manipulative techniques (threatening someone or convincing them that something bad will happen if they leave).

cults may use destructive measures against members who manage to escape (as another form of control over people still inside) - such as blacklisting, purposeful damage to family members of the escapee, etc. - and then suggesting something like this would happen if a person even thinks of leaving.

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It is also important to realize that none of the above may be offically sanctioned by the cult literature, but may be unoffically used by cult “leaders” for various purposes, such as in order to help the cult expand, to gain personal status within the organization, to meet production quotas, or it may simpy be done to new members by older members because that’s what happened to them when they joined. If a person goes to higher levels to report the abuse / negative practices, they might be ignored or even punished for stirring things up. Thus, even traditional religions where implementations have become corrupt can be considered cults.

what can you do if you find yourself in a cult?
-- leave
-- report the incident(s)
-- talk to someone you can trust about it
-- join a cult education network
-- read literature about cults in general or the specific group
-- befriend others who have left
-- become a member of a good group (look at how many religions there are)
-- start your own discussion group

 

[Bishka]

Hello and welcome to the forums.

I'm not exactly sure what you classify as cults, but that is a word we rarely use around here

 

[FatMan]

Some of the items on that list are applicable to many different ACCEPTED religions. You would have to specify which in particular are present only in "cults" for a better understanding of what you're getting at.

 

[Sunstone]

Welcome to the Forums!

Overall, that's a pretty good list. Have you noticed how much cult abuse is like spousal abuse?

 

[Katzpur]

Hello, Exit.

Welcome to the forums. I'd have to agree with you that your list is probably pretty accurate. I'm sure there are some genuinely dangerous cults out there, and I suspect, from your username, that you may have found yourself in one. I think this is a problem we all need to be aware of, although I also think that the term "cult" is frequently overused to mean nothing more than "a religion -- probably a relatively new or smaller one -- that I don't like."

 

[Makhsihed]

I think this is a problem we all need to be aware of, although I also think that the term "cult" is frequently overused to mean nothing more than "a religion -- probably a relatively new or smaller one -- that I don't like."

Agreed, "cult" as a label is often overused for that reason, especially by majority religions. Perhaps one should differentiate between "dangerous cult" - as in, dangerous to one's psychological health - and "alternative religion".

There are a number of cult checklists (for deducing how negatively cult-like a group or religion might be) out there. One very good one is the ABCDEF - the Advanced Bonewits Cult Danger Evaluation Frame. It can be found at this link:

celticcrow.com/bonew.html

Psychologist Steve Eichel compiled a list of techniques some groups use to brainwash members - unfortunately, very effective techniques, according to a number of psychological studies.

-Isolate them in new surroundings apart from old friends or reference-points;
-Provide them with instant acceptance from a seemingly loving group;
-Keep them away from competing or critical ideas;
-Provide an authority figure that everyone seems to acknowledge as having some special skill or awareness;
-Provide a philosophy that seems logical and appears to answer all or the most important questions in life;
-Structure all or most activities so that there is little time for privacy or independent action or thought, provide a sense of "us" versus "them";
-Promise instant or imminent solutions to deep or long-term problems;
-Employ covert or disguised hypnotic techniques.

I'll poke through my social psychology textbook for more, if anyone wants.

 

[exit_and_how]

First, THANKS to all for welcoming me to the forums...

About the subject at hand, of course, everyone will have their own definition of the word “cult”.

If you go rent a movie, you may find a section on “cult” movies which simply means that this movie has a small, but loyal, perhaps subversive following. I’ve seen some of these movies and think they can be fun, and intelligent people seem to find something thought-provoking about them, or perhaps the movie makes a poignant social commentary.

<<HOWEVER>>, what people should be aware of is that actual religious cults are
NOT FUN and should be taken very seriously.

My definition of “cult” is simply a religious group that does more harm than good - so the phrase “harmful cult” i consider redundant.

THANKS to Makhsihed for posting a link to this ABCDEF list.
I think anyone who has common sense should take this test when considering joining a new group. In fact, it provides a good check for any religion.

Here’s another idea. Perhaps it is better to see a group, instead of either a cult or not a cult, as having a status or ranking say from -100 to 100 where -100 is totally harmful and +100 is totally helpful. Anything in the negative range would be considered a cult (if that’s the word you want to use).

 

[jkdenm]

unfortunately, it’s not as simple as that,
for very clever groups could have a (+) status at one moment and then have a (-) status other moments. a group could run up their good (+) just long enough to get people to join, and then turn around and practice the bad (-) at other times for selfish benefit.

 

[Popeyesays]

The word "cult" is useless indiscussing the sociology of religion. No religion exists that cannot be considered a cult by some twist of the definition.

As to 'more harm than good', well, unfortunately that is highly subjective and not very supportive of rational discussion.

Sure, religion can be used to manipulate by the unscrupulous. So can Amway, Primerica, Fuller Brush, the Odd Fellows and the Masons.

Most sociologists of religion use the term 'NMR", or "New Religious Movement" in place of the word 'cult'.

Regards,
Scott

 

[jkdenm]

actually, i think the term “cult” is useful - at least for the purposes of discussion. ask an average person what NRM is and you will not get a good response.

when the language police arrive, i will gladly show them MY dictionary.

 

[Katzpur]

actually, i think the term “cult” is useful - at least for the purposes of discussion. ask an average person what NRM is and you will not get a good response.

You may see it as useful, but if you were constantly being told that you belong to a cult -- as I am -- you might feel differently!

 

[Booko]

cults often require absolute devotion to one leader (who cannot really be questioned and is never wrong).

I would add, the "one leader" is typically someone still living.

 

[Booko]

You may see it as useful, but if you were constantly being told that you belong to a cult -- as I am -- you might feel differently!

I know precisely what you mean, Katz. :yes:

 

[exit_and_how]

the original post was merely making an attempt at a initial list of cult characteristics. it did say “not all the items apply to all...”. In retrospect, perhaps the list should be posted to a more general forum, but the thinking was simply that any new religion has not yet withstood the test of time and the members deserve multiple views.

Secondly, it is well taken that a group’s cult ranking is subjective. But what can you say when most of the members of the group in their heart are ranking the organization high on the ABCDEF if they see this list? Also, some groups are obvious and someone outside certainly wouldn’t need to see a list. Recall Jim Jones’ group or Patty Duke’s situation. If the people inside had seen this list BEFORE they got into trouble, it certainly would have been a benefit to them.

Also, i wanted to share the name of an organization to which people can refer:

International Cultic Studies Association (founded 1979).

If you do a google search, you can go to their website.
I may try later to post it...

 

[Katzpur]

Recall Jim Jones’ group or Patty Duke’s situation.

Okay, I'm feeling really stupid here. I remember very well the tragedy of Jim Jones and the People's Temple, but what's up with Patty Duke?

 

[Booko]

I would like you to explain the presence of these groups on this site's list of cults:

Amish
Asatru
Baha'i
Christian Science
Deepak Chopra (thought he was a guy, not a group)
Falun Gong
Messianic Jews
Jews for Jesus
Mormons
Neopaganism
Theosophy

 

[Katzpur]

I would like you to explain the presence of these groups on this site's list of cults:

Amish
Asatru
Baha'i
Christian Science
Deepak Chopra (thought he was a guy, not a group)
Falun Gong
Messianic Jews
Jews for Jesus
Mormons
Neopaganism
Theosophy

Oh, boy... Here we go again. Hey, at least the Mormons are in the good company of the Baha'is.

 

[Circle_One]

So, Neopagans are a cult, but Pagans aren't? Phew, I'm safe

 

[jacquie4000]

Katzpur,

You may see it as useful, but if you were constantly being told that you belong to a cult -- as I am -- you might feel differently!
___________________________

How does one see you as being in a cult...please explain I am interested to know.

 

[Katzpur]

Katzpur, How does one see you as being in a cult...please explain I am interested to know.

Where do I start? I'm sure there are two or three people here on RF who would just love to answer that for you. From http://www.jefflindsay.com/LDSFAQ/FQ_cult.shtml:

• 1. The Trinity: LDS doctrine does not accept the standard doctrine of the Trinity. Therefore, the Church is said to be a cult.
• 2. Prophets and Apostles: the Church gives respect to human leaders called apostles and prophets, allegedly making us a cult.
• 3. New Scripture: Latter-day Saints have new scriptures not in the old canon. Therefore, we are said to belong to a cult.
• 4. New Doctrines: Latter-day Saints have had a variety of doctrines and teachings differing from older practices. Anyone departing from Christian tradition must belong to a cult.
• 5. Commandment Keeping: Latter-day Saints are said to think that we must keep the commandments to be saved instead of relying on the grace of Christ, thus making us a cult.
• 6. Divine Potential of Human Beings: Latter-day Saints are said to believe that they may eventually become "gods," thus making their church a non-Christian cult. Indeed, any group is said to be a cult if they teach that man has divine potential or that man can become like Christ, glorified with Christ, or "joint heirs" with Christ.
• 7. Close Social Ties: "Cults" are often described as close-knit groups with strong social ties and influence from fellow believers, a definition which would seem to fit Latter-day Saints.
• 8. Polygamy: Plural marriages were practiced by some early Latter-day Saints and were encouraged by the Church for a period of time in the nineteenth century (from about 1840 to 1890), so Latter-day Saints are said to be a cult for having once had such an abhorrent practice.
• 9. Departure from Tradition: Mormons are said to be a cult because we depart from much of established Christian tradition.