How to Spot a Religious Cult

A cult is defined by Webster's as 1. A religion or religious sect generally considered to be extremist or false, with its followers often living in an unconventional manner under the guidance of an authoritarian, charismatic leader. 2. A usually nonscientific method or regimen claimed by its originator to have exclusive or exceptional power in curing a particular disease. 3. Obsessive, especially faddish, devotion to or veneration for a person, principle, or thing.

Characteristics of a Cult

The Leader Has All The Answers: In a cult situation the leader is always right and knows everything. He or she is usually self appointed and is considered by members to be a saint or man/woman of God and therefore has the divine authority to instruct people how to live. Cultists are quite fond of quoting their leaders without ever questioning them. To question the leader of a cult may result in punishment or abandonment by the other members and the leader. Cult groups will display an unquestionable zeal for their leader and will refuse to accept that their leader is ever wrong. The leader also usually gets to decide who gets married and when, what kinds of clothing the members are allowed to wear, the way parents discipline their children and dictates who the member has permission to associate with.

No Other Organization Is Right: Cult religions believe that they are the only ones with the truth about God and religion. Anyone wishing to attend or visit another church is shunned by the rest of the congregation and considered to be a backslider who no longer loves God and is under satanic influence.

Man is Evil: While most churches recognize man is a sinner, cult religions believe that man is so evil that without their doctrine man is turned into a demon infested animal or beast. Cult religions like to hammer into the heads of their members how bad man is without ever acknowledging the magnificence man. Cult members are shamed, ridiculed, discounted and told in a variety of ways that they are not good enough.

Organization Structure and Hierarchy: The structure of religious cults is very constricting and rigid. It does not allow its members to question the authority of the leader in any way. Oftentimes members will refer to their leader as if he were a god. Pastors and Preachers are not usually held responsible by a board or committee. What they say goes. Those who are hand picked by the leader to be lesser leaders are encouraged to notify the leader of a member who steps out of line.

Financial Exploitation: A religious cult is usually preoccupied with raising money moreso than the average church. Members may go without meals or paying bills in order to put their money into the ministry. Cult churches teach that sacrificing for the better good of the organization is far better than putting your money elsewhere. Often times a member who donates more money than the others will find themselves in a position of authority whether it be as a choir director or church secretary or other position within the organization.

No One is Saved All The Time: Cult religions rely on fear and brainwashing to keep their members. The leader of the group is the one to define who is and isn't saved and no one is saved all the time except the pastor himself. The rest of the members must fight a continuous battle to maintain spirituality and their salvation status may change frequently depending on what's going on in their life. In this way religious cult leaders are able to keep a steady stream of members obligated and bound to their organization.

Brainwashing: Almost all cult religions use some form of mind altering techniques such as meditation, speaking in tongues, fear, loud music and emotional manipulation to brainwash the members of the congregation to stay. While these are obviously not the only signs that a church is a religious cult, these certainly are a few of them. If you have any doubts about the religion you are a current believer of and suspect your local organization is a cult visit the Cult Information Center for help.