Cults

[Maximilian]

There has been a lot of difficulty on this forum on this topic (in the past) because of the difficulty in nailing down a conclusive definition for the word. It seems the word has picked up unique meaning by certain groups or people.

So I would add some symptoms of what some may loosely define as cult-like or cultic:

1) Uniform adherence to strict and rigid rules
2) Religious in nature
3) Extremely charismatic leader, praised w/out balance, given special authority to be a final voice of authority on spiritual matters. Criticism against this person is frowned on. He is addressed with accolades are special titles. Authoritarian and w/out any accountability in his/her life.
4) Separation from family and other individuals who aren't part of this religious group.
5) Difficulty to leave. Pressure, manipulation, loss of friendships/relationships. Threats of divorce in marital situations, job pressures if applicable, etc. - There is no legitimate reason to leave, former followers are always wrong in leaving, negative or even evil.
6) Members kept together by guilt. It keeps them from wandering too far.
7) No tolerance for questions or critical inquiry.
8) Unreasonable fear about the outside world, such as impending catastrophe, evil conspiracies and persecutions.
9) The group/leader is always right.
10) The group/leader is the exclusive means of knowing "truth" or receiving validation, no other process of discovery is really acceptable or credible.

And sometimes, there is no meaningful financial disclosure regarding budget, few to no diversity among decision-makers regarding church budget. Sometimes family-operated instead of overseen by a church-board -- and when there is a church board, it's usually only for looks - a weak board, not really functioning in that role.

Then there are symptoms of people:

1) Extreme obsessiveness regarding the leader resulting in the exclusion of almost every practical consideration.
2) Individual identity, the group, the leader and/or God as distinct and separate categories of existence become increasingly blurred. Instead, in the follower's mind these identities become substantially and increasingly fused--as that person's involvement with the group continues and deepens.
3) Increasing isolation from family and old friends unless they demonstrate an interest in the group/leader.
4) Anything the group/leader does can be justified no matter how harsh or harmful.
5) Former followers are at best-considered negative or worse evil and under bad influences. They can not be trusted and personal contact is avoided.

(like above, with some help by Rick Ross -- and as I typed this I thought about situations I was aware of as well)