A cult is a religious group with beliefs that most people consider dangerous. When it comes to cults, most of us have experienced some level of curiosity about
them. You may wonder how anyone could possibly be a part of one or wonder
whether you might be victim to a cult if the circumstances were right. Ordinary
people join cults regularly. Is there a chance that you've accidentally joined
one yourself, and don't even realize it? Here are 10 specific patterns that many
cults share:
The group delegitimizes
former members-If you can’t think of a legitimate reason for leaving your
group, you’re probably in a cult. Because the cult considers itself the
ultimate authority on truth, it can’t imagine anybody leaving it with their
integrity intact. Thus, it has to perpetuate a false narrative that former
members were deceived, proud, immoral, or lazy. If former members speak out,
they are dismissed as bitter, angry, dishonest or evil. Cults often impose some
kind of shunning to shame former members and prevent them from infecting other
members with the truth.
The group is elitist-If
your group is the solution for all the world’s problems, you’re probably in a
cult. Cults see themselves as the enlightened, chosen, and elect organization
tasked with radically transforming individual lives and the entire world. This
elitism creates greater sense of group unity and responsibility centered on a
united purpose. However, this sense of responsibility is often manipulated by
cult leaders who coerce members into risky financial behavior, sexual favors,
free manual labor, or heightened recruitment efforts in order to “further the
cause.”
The group is paranoid
about the outside world-If your group insists the end of the world is near; you’re
probably in a cult. Cults position themselves as the sole refuge from an evil
outside world that is intent on their destruction. Cults thrive on conspiracy
theories, catastrophic thinking, and persecution complexes. In an effort to
draw in more paying members, cults are often very aggressive in their recruitment
efforts which are usually justified as “saving” people from the evil world.
Those who reject the cult’s message are prideful, evil, or stupid.
The group performs secret
rites-If there are secret teachings or ceremonies you didn’t
discover until after you joined, you’re probably in a cult. Cults use secret
rituals as rites of passage that solidify a member’s loyalty to the group.
Initiation into these rites usually only comes after a member has undergone
certain tests or made adequate financial contributions. Often, cult initiations
are confusing, bizarre, or even offensive. This mental conflict between their
sense of confusion and their loyalty to the “inner circle” convinces the
initiate to double their efforts in order to properly appreciate the proceedings.
This only further entrenches them in a shame cycle, making them even more
susceptible to manipulation.
The group relies on shame
cycles-If you need your group in order to feel worthy, loved, or
sufficient, you’re probably in a cult. Cult leaders trap members in shame
cycles by imposing abnormally strict codes of conduct (usually prescriptions
about diet, appearance, sex, relationships, and media), guilting members for
their shortcomings, and then positioning themselves as the unique remedy to the
feelings of guilt which they themselves created.
Cult members
are made to believe they are insufficient or unworthy on their own and that the
only way to become worthy is to confess their shortcomings to the group or
leader. The leader then becomes the meditiator of worthiness and the foundation
of the member’s self esteem. Leaders who can make followers feel bad about
anything can use shame to manipulate followers into doing anything, even if
it’s against their own self-interest or better judgment.
The group suppresses
skepticism-If you’re only allowed to study your organization through
approved sources, you’re probably in a cult. Cult’s view critical thinking as
an infectious disease and every effort is made to suppress it. Doubting members
are encouraged to isolate themselves from outside influences and focus solely
on the doctrine of the cult. Criticism is forbidden. People who contradict the
group are viewed as persecutors and are often given labels like “anti,”
“apostate,” or “suppressive person.” Members are discouraged from consuming any
material that is critical of the group.
The group uses “thought
reform” methods-If your serious questions are answered with clichés, you’re
probably in a cult. Indoctrination or “brainwashing” is the process through
which a cult slowly breaks down a person’s sense of identity and ability to
think rationally. Behaviors like excessive fasting, prayer, hypnosis, scripture
reading, chanting, meditation, or drug usage can all be used to increase a
person’s vulnerability to the leader’s suggestions. The hallmark of
indoctrination is the use of thought-terminating clichés. Platitudes like
“follow the leader” or “doubt your doubts” are regurgitated over and over so
that members don’t have to critically analyze complex issues.
The leader is above the
law-If you’re held to a different moral standard, specifically
in regard to sex; you’re probably in a cult. A prevalent idea among cult
leaders is that they are above the law, be it human or divine. This idea allows
them to exploit their followers economically and sexually without
repercussions. When confronted, they do not confess, but create justifications
for their impropriety. Sexual grooming of members is common. Loyal cult members
will perform any amount of “mental gymnastics” to justify or ignore the
leader’s behavior.
The leader is the
ultimate authority-Cults begin with a charismatic leader who claims some
supreme knowledge. They may call themselves a prophet, messiah, messenger, or
an enlightened teacher. They can also be military officials, politicians, and
self-help gurus. Cult leaders convince members to forfeit their critical
thinking ability in return for a sense of belonging, authority, and purpose. To
members, it doesn’t matter what the evidence or logic may suggest. The leader
is always right, and their misdeeds are always justified. Criticism of the
leader is forbidden (even if it’s true).
There is no financial
transparency-If you’re not allowed to know what the group does with their
money, you’re probably in a cult. A group that refuses to disclose its finances
is a huge red flag. Ethical organizations have nothing to hide. Cult leaders
tend to live opulently while their followers are required to make financial
sacrifices. Members are often encouraged to pay their offerings even if it
means putting their families at risk.
“Many cults start off with
high ideals that get corrupted by leaders or their board of advisors who become
power-hungry and dominate and control member’s lives. No group with high ideals
starts off as a cult; they become one when their errant ways are exposed.” (Philip Zimbardo) [i]
[i] Sources used:
·
“10 Signs You’re Probably In A Cult” by Sam & Tanner
·
“16 Red
Flags That You Might Be in a Cult” By Abi Travis
·
“cult”
by Macmillan Dictionary
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