How to Identify a Cult
Invariably, when a cult is in the news, this site gets hits from people Googling "How to Identify a Cult." Unfortunately, they end up on the Top 10 Ways to Identify a Cult page which was created as an inside joke (sort of), and an incomplete one, based my own cultic experiences within the Buddha Field.
But for the people who land here and are truly concerned with identifying a real cult, the issue is more serious. The word cult brings to mind the things we have been exposed to in regards to the cults we've seen on the news: brainwashing, suicide, sexual improprieties, etc. However, it's hard to come up with a checklist because there are SO MANY cults in our society. A cult is specifically any social group which is devoted to a belief system considered outside the norm. That's very broad. Let's focus just on religious cults (groups with theological ideas outside the norm.)
The only real difference in the beliefs of a religion and the beliefs of a cult is that usually the religion has been marginalized by its popularity. Sometimes a religion is a cult that has been allowed time and popularity to become more palatable. Many people consider Scientology a cult today, but in 1000 years, who knows? It wasn't that long ago that Joseph Smith's Church of Latter Day Saints was considered a cult and "fringe" but today it is generally accepted as a valid religion and accorded the rights that the state accords any other religion. How soon will it be before The Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster follows suit?
But again, let's narrow our focus to smaller, less popular groups that have not had the time to become a religion. A group that focuses on religious ideas that are (for the moment) outside the norm. Within these narrow parameters, there are some things you can look for:
Update: Here is a more recent post with a way you can rate how highly a group scores on the Dangerous Cult Scale.
But for the people who land here and are truly concerned with identifying a real cult, the issue is more serious. The word cult brings to mind the things we have been exposed to in regards to the cults we've seen on the news: brainwashing, suicide, sexual improprieties, etc. However, it's hard to come up with a checklist because there are SO MANY cults in our society. A cult is specifically any social group which is devoted to a belief system considered outside the norm. That's very broad. Let's focus just on religious cults (groups with theological ideas outside the norm.)
The only real difference in the beliefs of a religion and the beliefs of a cult is that usually the religion has been marginalized by its popularity. Sometimes a religion is a cult that has been allowed time and popularity to become more palatable. Many people consider Scientology a cult today, but in 1000 years, who knows? It wasn't that long ago that Joseph Smith's Church of Latter Day Saints was considered a cult and "fringe" but today it is generally accepted as a valid religion and accorded the rights that the state accords any other religion. How soon will it be before The Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster follows suit?
But again, let's narrow our focus to smaller, less popular groups that have not had the time to become a religion. A group that focuses on religious ideas that are (for the moment) outside the norm. Within these narrow parameters, there are some things you can look for:
- Cults usually center around a charismatic leader who claims to have the answers from a higher spiritual authority and may claim to have special spiritual powers. There will usually be warnings against listening to other teachers because none of them have that "divine authority."
- Cults have a hierarchical power structure with the leader at the top of the ladder. His way or the highway is usually the reality although they may phrase it more politely ("If you don't like the way things are, there is the door.")
- The group itself will adopt the same chosen/special/select attitude that the leader exemplifies. Perhaps there will be a sub-group at the top of the hierarchy that is "more special" than the typical member, although never as divine as the leader.
- You will generally notice double-speak around ethics. One set of rules for others and a different set for the leader. And within the group, society's ethics hold no real value (ie. "Lying is OK if it's for the good of the group or if you are following the direction of the leader.")
- There is generally a system in place to subtly persuade you to believe as the group believes (and as the leader believes.) Questioning the leader and having different opinions are usually frowned upon.
- Isolation is a key element in cults. Give up your petty life/desires for the group and the leader. Other people will not understand. Avoid non-believers. You are not strong enough yet to handle that. There is generally a paranoia with those outside the group. And you will be dissuaded from having any interests (outside the group) that might take your focus away from fulfilling the needs of the leader or the group.
- Pay attention to whether anyone ever "graduates" from the group. Are there those who have "attained" and moved on? In a cult, members tend to remain dependent forever (or until they choose to leave and are then "in disgrace.")
- Pay attention to the secrets. When a cult maintains a cloak of secrecy (usually regarding money and sex) that means there is probably something that would not be regarded in a favorable light.
- Some groups will employ actual brainwashing techniques to make you more open to new ideas. These include changing eating/sleeping patterns and encouraging leaving your old identify and belief system behind with a new name (usually chosen for you by the leader.)
- The charisma and draw of the leader, and the expansiveness of the ideology may be in conflict with the confining feeling you get from the group. This is pretty typical because there can be a real experience that you are allowing yourself to have (using the group as an excuse) that is at war with the confining dependency that you feel the group is provoking within you.
Update: Here is a more recent post with a way you can rate how highly a group scores on the Dangerous Cult Scale.
