Criteria of Cults

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. 

This post is not about beliefs so much as behaviours. 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 Recognizing 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 of members’ freedoms & rights to choose: theological, spiritual, social, psychological, choices, etc.  vs Empowering to work out implications.
9.     Require substantial financial support to the group,  vs work for Financial freedom & responsibility.
10.  Lives totally absorbed in group activities,  vs Encouraging wider life involvements.
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 Acceptance of fallen-ness. 

List adapted from www.culthelp.info /