Watch out for tell-tale signs

A typical cult has a charismatic, unaccountable leader, persuades by coercion and exploits its members, economically, sexually or in some other way

The question: what makes a cult?




Some academics with close ties to such groups have become little more than apologists, labeling the word "cult" a "four letter word."

These apologists often prefer the supposedly politically correct title "new religious movement" (NRM).

But historically cults have always been with us and they continue to be a part of the world today.

The word cult can be broadly defined as "formal religious veneration," "a system of religious beliefs and its body of adherents," "a religion regarded as 'unorthodox or spurious,'" "great devotion to a person or idea" as well as "persons united by devotion or allegiance to an artistic or intellectual movement or figure."

These general definitions could potentially include everything from Barbie doll collectors to so-called "Trekkies" and die-hard Elvis fans.

American history is particularly rife with religious groups that can be seen as cults, such as the devoted followers of Mary Baker Eddy, the founder of Christian Science, or the Mormons united through their devotion to Joseph Smith. Both of these religious groups were at one time also regarded by many as "unorthodox or spurious."

But the most salient concern to the general public, law enforcement and government officials today regarding groups called "cults" is what potential they might represent to do harm.

Psychiatrist Robert Jay Lifton, who once taught at Harvard Medical School, wrote a paper titled Cult Formation in the early 1980s. He delineated three primary characteristics, which are the most common features shared by destructive cults.


2. A process [of indoctrination or education is in use that can be seen as] coercive persuasion or thought reform [commonly called "brainwashing"].


Lifton's seminal book Thought Reform and Psychology of Totalism explains this process in considerable detail.





Absolute authoritarianism without meaningful accountability.

No tolerance for questions or critical inquiry.






Followers feel they can never be "good enough".

The group/leader is always right.


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