Characteristics of a Cult

→ Put forth a closed system of logic and an authoritarian structure that allows no feedback and refuses to be corrected except by leadership approval or executive order.

→ Members are not allowed to question their leaders.The follower is treated as if they are in defiance and the leadership is not to be questioned and trusted to make the right decision. If their judgment is questioned the follower is either ignored, rebuked, or quieted through various forms of manipulation or blackmail. Sometimes their attention is redirected into another direction such as a new special form of leadership created for them in order to keep them busy.

→ Flattery is used to puff up the follower in order to make them feel accepted and valued. Most times the new, simple minded, or those who are catching on to what is happening are the most likely to become flattered.

→ Spying on other members and asking for reports on their lives.

→ Manipulation of a followers emotions. Downplaying their feelings as unimportant or in error.

→ Faults are never the leaders fault.

→ Leadership is backed even when in the wrong and often times covered up. When a follower catches on and tries to question or expose the wrong doing the leader will often rebuke the follower of being critical or defying leadership.

→ Emphasizing irrational fears about ever leaving the group or even questioning the leader’s authority. The person under mind control cannot visualize a positive, fulfilled future without being in the group. Such as telling testimonies of people who left and suffered from death or illness and that is told to be their punishment or consequences.

→ Defying unwritten rules are considered rebellious and often rebuke is given to the follower.

→ Instant friendships. True friendships develop over time. Flattery such as "my dear friend" and they really don’t know each other very well at all.

→ A cult leader will try to persuade you to reduce or eliminate altogether outside friendships and even family.

→ Any information that could lead followers to the clear understanding that their teaching is wrong is destroyed or followers are told that to read it is considered critical and punishable by authority through public character assassination.

→ Keeping the members so busy that they don’t have time to do anything other than support their groups cause. This kind of busyness causes families to be divided and not able to have adequate time together at home.

→ Followers are sometimes reprimanded for not participating in every meeting or activity or told their loyalty is being questioned.

→ Leaders often times discourage parents from believing what their children report to them.

Followers are told to always side with leadership even if they are wrong.

→ It’s important for a follower to be able to have the freedom to research about the group without the group leading their research.

→ If the follower has been told to refrain from researching about them, then you may want to go ahead and do so.

→ An honest group will not be opposed to a follower reading critical information about them.

→ If the group has nothing to hide then they will not mind you seeking outside information.

→ There is no perfect group, yet anything negative a former member may say should be willingly discussed by your leader. If the situation is covered up or ignored then be cautious in dealing with this group.

→ A real honest leader will openly discuss any concerns you have about the group with humility. They will have nothing to fear by you asking.

→ Know the Bible

→ Question and compare the teaching to the Scriptures

→ Cults who claim to believe in the Bible, but use alternative sources for doctrinal teaching are dangerous. Be sure all the teaching and practices are in agreement with the Scriptures

→ If you believe you are in a cult and are just realizing it, there is help for you