Characteristics of Cults

This morning I found a couple of good lists of cult characteristics.

From Let Us Reason Ministries:

For abusive cults, the key word is CONTROL CONTROL CONTROL by Submitting to the Leadership - leaders tend to be the absolute end, looked to as prophets of God, as specially anointed apostles. [. . .]

It can take time for them to gain power over the new convert, but it will eventually be there. [. . .]

The methods of control which are used is usually FEAR of displeasing God the leader or both. Fear of rejection, punishment, losing ones salvation, missing the rapture, going to hell. Guilt, Fear, intimidation are Weapons used to maintain their loyalty and devotion to the group. [. . .]

And the characteristics are...

• COMMAND OVER THE GROUP IN INTIMATE MATTERS
• GROUP TRUST
• A DOUBLE STANDARD
• TAKES LICENSE WITH GOD'S WORD
• MISPLACED LOYALTY
• ISOLATION
• AN "US AGAINST THEM" ATTITUDE AND PHILOSOPHY
• FOCUS ON AN IMAGINED ENEMY
• END-TIME REVELATION
• MOTIVATIONAL TEACHING
• RULES OF SILENCE
• CONVERSION TECHNIQUES
• REVELATION KNOWLEDGE
• MYSTICAL ALTERED STATES
• LEADERS HAVE A PRIDEFUL UNTEACHABLE SPIRIT
• PRIDE OF THE GROUP
• BRAINWASHING
• DEVOTION TO CONVERT OTHERS TO THEIR GROUP AND ITS BELIEF SYSTEM
• DISTORTED TITHING OR EXCESSIVE GIVING
• ATTEMPTING TO BRING IN THE KINGDOM NOW
• TOTAL COMMITMENT
• INDIVIDUALITY IS SACRIFICED FOR THE GROUP
• INCONSISTENT DISCIPLINED LIFE
• MARTYRDOM COMPLEX
• CURSES and THREATS

And from CultWatch.com, better known for its SuperApostle Detector, are a list of mind control tactics used by cults:

• Deception
• Exclusivism
• Fear & Intimidation
• Love Bombing & Relationship Control
• Information Control
• Reporting Structure
• Time Control
• Pressure Selling
• Cult Recruitment Techniques

Wow, these all sound very familiar. And they said it wasn't a cult. Maybe it was a duck instead. :-)

Merry Christmas, everyone!

blessings, ulyankee