22 Characteristics Of A Cult

by Bangalore 3 Replies latest jw friends

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  Bangalore

  22 Characteristics Of A Cult.

  Source : http://thewatchtowerfiles.com/destructivecults/

  • If the leader or leaders write their own material and claim that it is from God or “inspired by God” or “from the mouth of God” then they are a cult.
  • If the leadership tells you that you can’t read anything written by any other church or religion and only can read what they write then it is a cult.
  • If you are forbidden to speak to or read anything written by someone who has left the group for reasons of conscience or belief then it is most definitely a cult.
  • If the leadership has to write its own version of the Bible and call it “improved” or “more accurate” and the use of that “translation” is unique to that religion then it is most definitely a cult.
  • If personal choice and independent thought is considered to be “evil” then it is most definitely a cult.
  • If asking difficult questions is discouraged then it is most definitely a cult.
  • If, when finding a particular question difficult or impossible to answer you are told to just “have faith” or “wait on the Lord” then you are probably in a cult.
  • If it is forbidden to disagree either privately or openly with the leadership on any point then it is most definitely a cult.
  • If you are encouraged to sever ties with anyone not affiliated with your religion then it is most definitely a cult.
  • If the group actively solicits membership it is probably a cult.
  • If an interested person is only given enough information to pique their interest but not enough information to scare them away then it is most definitely a cult.
  • If you are told to teach just “the good stuff” during the initial phase of a person “studying” with you then you are most definitely in a cult.
  • If there are aspects of your teaching that are purposely kept hidden until the student is very far along in the indoctrination process then you are most definitely in a cult.
  • If the members are instructed to be especially nice to new visitors then it is probably a cult.
  • If the leadership teaches that they are the only ones with “the truth” and that everyone else is deceived then you are in a cult.
  • If the members are encouraged to turn other members in for infractions then it is 100% most definitely a cult.
  • If you are given a litany of rules and regulations to follow then you are most definitely in a cult.
  • If your schedule is booked with group activities to the point that you have little or no time to yourself then you are most definitely in a cult.
  • If you are told to have little or nothing to do with anyone, including close friends and family members, who choose to leave the group, then you are most definitely in a cult.
  • If your leadership is nameless, mysterious, aloof, unapproachable, unaccountable or otherwise “nebulous” then you are most definitely in a cult.
  • If your leadership doesn’t have to report their income to you or the government then you are most definitely in a cult.
  • If higher education is considered evil and strongly discouraged by the leadership then you are most definitely in a cult.

  Bangalore
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  exwhyzee

  Thanks for posting this....now where's my facebook page.
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  Oubliette

  This is interesting, and I agree with most of the items listed.

  However, it would be helpful if the author, Doug Shields, listed his sources and/or qualifications to define a cult.

  Not trying to be critical, but helpful. As it is, it just looks like a list of his personal opinion and observations.

  He seems to have a well-informed opinion, but it is still just his opinion nonetheless.

  The internet is full of interesting facts and factoids. It is important that we learn to be discriminating in our accepting of what is and isn't true as well as what is and isn't accurate.

  This list seems cherry-picked to define JWs as a cult. The wording also seems deliberately chosen for the same purpose. In contrast, Steven Hassan's BITE model applies to any and all high-control destructive cults. His experience and credentials make him highly qualified to write on the subject.
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  SAHS

  To “Bangalore”: All fits to a “T.”

  “

  • If the leader or leaders write their own material and claim that it is from God or “inspired by God” or “from the mouth of God” then they are a cult.
  • If the leadership teaches that they are the only ones with “the truth” and that everyone else is deceived then you are in a cult.

  ”

  Boy, those two points in particular really fit, don’t they! Isn’t that so true of pretty well all cults: “We’re right, and everyone else is wrong. We’re the only real true chosen ones.” Ya, ya, ya. Same old, same old. I guess there will always be suckers in this world.