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What is a Cult


By 

Amy Morin, LCSW 

 Fact checked by 

Cara Lustik

Lemming Second Thoughts.

A cult is an organized group whose purpose is to dominate cult members through psychological manipulation and pressure strategies.1 Cults are usually headed by a powerful leader who isolates members from the rest of society.

Some individuals who join cults remain lifelong members. Others break free and share how it felt to be brainwashed by a charismatic leader. But there are also some individuals who leave a cult and report that their experience was positive.

Studying cults is difficult for a few different reasons. It’s nearly impossible to study active cult members due to their unwillingness to let others into their closed societies. Quite often, they are suspicious of outsiders.

Consequently, cults are usually examined from the perspective of former members. But sometimes, individuals are reluctant to talk about their experiences as cult members. For these reasons and others, it can even be tricky to agree on a solid definition of a cult, especially given many of the stereotypes presented in film, TV, and other media. Not all cults have to be high profile groups that make headlines.

How to Recognize a Cult

Sometimes individuals disagree about whether a group, such as a certain religious group, is actually a cult. Even researchers sometimes can’t agree on what constitutes a cult.

Most people can agree that cults have a leader. And the leader (or group of people who serve as leaders) is responsible for the rules that guide the members.

According to the Cult Education Institute, there are specific warning signs to look out for when considering whether a group might be a cult. Cults are characterized by:2

  1. Absolute authoritarianism without accountability
  2. Zero tolerance for criticism or questions
  3. Lack of meaningful financial disclosure regarding budget
  4. Unreasonable fears about the outside world that often involve evil conspiracies and persecutions
  5. A belief that former followers are always wrong for leaving and there is never a legitimate reason for anyone else to leave
  6. Abuse of members
  7. Records, books, articles, or programs documenting the abuses of the leader or group
  8. Followers feeling they are never able to be “good enough”
  9. A belief that the leader is right at all times
  10. A belief that the leader is the exclusive means of knowing “truth” or giving validation

Cults are dangerous because they typically rely on deceptive and authoritarian practices to make members dependent on and obedient to the group. Cults often cut members off from other forms of social and financial support and pose both physical and psychological risks to members of the group.1

Source: verywellmind.com for the complete article