types of cults
Bible-Based
A Bible-based cult is one that used scripture to justify their actions. Their belief system could be influenced by Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, or any other of the world religions. If not any of those, then they may have invented their own belief system. What makes it a cult is the fact that they use mind control and not what they believe. Commercial The leader and followers will promise you that if you follower their "special program" for success, you will become extremely rich. The followers will use their leader as an example and say that if you stay with them, you will become just as successful as their leader is. They use mind control to get you working for them for free and make you pay expenses for all the videos, books, and seminars that are supposed to help you succeed. However, they are only there to keep you believing about their possible dream for success. One-on-One A one-on-one cultic relationship can be just like any other cult, except that it mainly consists of just a leader, and one or two members. Doomsday A "doomsday cult" is an expressions used to describe groups who believe in an apocalypse, that prophesy catastrophe and destruction, and those who attempt to bring it about. |
Political
A political cult is one where its members have a primary interest in politics and ideology. Corporate A Corporate cults' members center around the rules, regulations, and culture of the organizations they work for. The workers are given a false sense of security, believing that the organization will always be taking care of them. Self-Help A cult that uses "self-help" or counseling mostly target business people. Much like a commercial cult, a self-help one uses seminars. They claim that if you go to their seminars, you and your staff will become very successful. While participating in a seminar, one may be subjected to quasi-religious indoctrination as they play strange games, join in group activities, and share their thoughts with the group. Once one course is completed, another one is suggested. Other followers will command you to bring in family and friends. The religious overtones don't sound religious until the end of the seminar. Destructive "Destructive cults" generally refers to a group that has purposely physically injured or killed members of their own group, or other individuals. They are only concerned about advancing towards the mission or business of the group, and not the well-being of the actual members. |