What is a Cult?
The Cult Information Centre (CIC) defines a cult as a group having all of the following five characteristics:
- It uses psychological coercion to recruit, indoctrinate and retain its members
- It forms an elitist totalitarian society.
- Its founder leader is self-appointed, dogmatic, messianic, not accountable and has charisma.
- It believes the end justifies the means in order to solicit funds and recruit people.
- Its wealth does not benefit its members or society.
Categories of Cults
| Religious Cults | Therapy Cults |
Communal living common. |
Communal Living rare. |
Members may leave or not join societys workforce. |
Members usually stay in societys workforce. |
Average age at the point of recruitment is in the 20s. |
Average age at the point of recruitment is in the mid 30s |
Registered as religious groups. |
Registered as non profit making groups. |
Appear to offer association with a group interested in making the world a better place via political, spiritual or other means. |
Appear to offer association with a group giving courses in some kind of self improvement or self help technique or therapy. |
