How to recognize a cult
If you believe that you have encountered a cult, take a look at the organization's foundations. Cults tend to have similar foundations and have some of the following common factors:
One should also look for key danger signs. Keep in mind that it may be okay to have some association to some of them, but you should stay on guard. These are medium-level risks:
There are also key danger signs that are of a higher risk than those listen above. They are usually signs that have crossed the line into a potentially dangerous organization:
- A charismatic founder.
- A simple goal, such as to save something or introduce something to everyone.
- A society history, most recruits are required to learn the history and respect the founding figures.
- There's a degree of intellectual limitation, so outside ideas or interaction with non-members are not encouraged.
- A system of repercussions: shunning, "time out", isolation, etc.
- A person may be groomed or encourages to go towards certain roles or assist in different ways.
- A tithe, membership dues, or another system of getting money from its members.
One should also look for key danger signs. Keep in mind that it may be okay to have some association to some of them, but you should stay on guard. These are medium-level risks:
- Members may be encouraged to do certain practices.
- When looking for new members, cults look for easily manipulated people.
- Key figures such as the founder tell the members repetitive stories to keep everyone thinking the same way.
- Members could be very similar to one another and have limited contact to the outside world.
- A "tax free" status is a major aspiration; some may have already attained that.
- Any funds that are attained do not stay in the country or state they were attained in.
There are also key danger signs that are of a higher risk than those listen above. They are usually signs that have crossed the line into a potentially dangerous organization:
- Manipulation of a cult's members is obvious to an outsider.
- It is very difficult and sometimes impossible to leave their "society". The aim of the cult is to make the member so familiar with the lifestyle that they lose their ability to be independent. Their fear of repercussions are too high.
- They have been trained to focus on key principles or myths, and their day-to-day knowledge is encouraged to be forgotten.
- Members may be required to part with large funds or assets.
- Members may be taking part in mentally stressful or intensive activities. This could be prolonged meditation with little sleep or food, intensive workouts, or other things.
- It is impossible for an ordinary members to have the same skills and status as the founder or leader. The founder could be dubbed as an avatar, master, guru, genius, etc.
- Certain actions committed by members are justified and praised.
- There is a definite separation from society.