Characteristics of a cult (part 2)

Characteristics of a Cult (part 2)

Cults are group centered and comprised of members, however, they all focus on their leader.  Unlike religious organizations or mainstream dogma, the focus of the organization is not on the spiritual sense of God, but rather on the embodiment of god in the form of a leader.  Cults may be identified by the group’s devotion to the leader.  Often, cult members are so obsessed with their group’s leader that they lose their focus on other activities.  Don’t be fooled by a cult members' obsession with a church or other group.  The continual time spent with group members is often to please the group leader.  Some cult members feel they must be at church (or group) services every time the doors open or else they fear displeasing the church (or group) leader.

One clear sign that you are in a spiritually or an emotionally abusive group is that the leader is always right and there is no room for critical thinking, questioning, or challenging views and opinions.  Cult leaders often believe they have some form of ‘divine’ wisdom.  Members may look upon the leader as a messiah or other ‘enlightened’ person.  This sets the leader up as infallible and members feel intense paranoia, shame and even self-loathing for challenging the leader.

Healthy groups encourage discussion, debate, disagreements and challenge.  If you are involved in a group where challenge of the leader is not only discouraged but outright prohibited, you are involved in a dangerous group.  There’s an old saying- we can agree to disagree- and healthy groups live and practice that adage.

Those involved in cults lose their identity.  Interestingly, after cult members spend time away from the group, their core personalities reemerge and the changes they endured while part of the destructive group, slowly dissipate and the true personality is restored.  A tell tale sign that someone is involved in a dangerous group is that they lose their own identity and take on the identity of the group or the group’s leader.  You may notice that a person has lost their sense of humor, changes their vocabulary, uses a set of buzz words picked up from the group, no longer has their own set of personal goals or agenda and can no longer make his or her own decisions. 

Cult members will always seek the advice and counsel of group members or the group leader before making decisions.  These can range from the mundane to life altering decisions such as who to marry, buying property or where to work.  Cult members will spend less time with friends and family as the group begins to dominate their every thought and action.  If you believe that someone you love or care about is involved in a cult there is help available, do not give up.