Constantly changing teachings - issues that are difficult to grasp and deliberately made even more difficult to produce mental fog. That is what comes from the top. A fog to prevent understanding, a fog to prevent getting accurate knowledge.
Within the uncertainty of that fog a forceful attempt is made to get individuals to abandon their own powers of reason and defer to 'big brother' who 'knows better', owns the platform and will speak for everyone and many not be contradicted.
The Greek term for Jesus' disciples was the 'mathete' - it means one who is able to get accurate knowledge.
Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. His disciples were able to get accurate knowledge. They were able to get understanding.
The the prevention of an individual's understanding is what cults do.
(John 8:31-32) . . .And so Jesus went on to say to the Jews that had believed him: “If you remain in my word, you are really my disciples, 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.. . .
Also they remove freedom of Christian speech.