Signs You’re In a Cult, Not a Church

A cult is a social group that is defined by its unusual and non-traditional, religious, spiritual, or philosophical beliefs and rituals. A cult has a charismatic leader who is “the Axis Mundi” and believes that the entire world revolves around his theories and line of thinking. He requires “exclusive devotion” to himself and his unorthodox beliefs or goals. He also requires absolute obedience from his followers. Cults can range from small, local groups to international organizations with millions of adherents. “Christian cults” are groups that have a Christian background but are considered to be theologically deviant. Their beliefs deny some or most of the fundamental Christian teachings.

For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves.
Acts 20:29-30
The dictionary defines a cult as a “great veneration of a person, ideal, or thing, especially as manifested by a body of admirers; a religion or sect considered to be false, unorthodox, or extremist, with members often living outside of conventional society under the direction of a charismatic leader.” As of right now, there are 2500-3000 active cults in the USA and thousands more around the world. Statistically, there are more men than women in cults who are recruited when they are going through distressing emotional conflicts; during those vulnerable times, they are promised companionship, peace of mind, and security. Examples of Cults
This is a list of just a few of the cults that showed up starting in the 1950’s. In 1955-1978, The Peoples’ Temple was led by Jim Jones. 909 members of that cult died of mass suicide. The Branch Davidians, led by David Koresh in 1955-1993, led to the death of 77 people. In 1957 until 1991, Saul Newton led a cult (Sullivanians) of over 500 members. They disbanded after he died. Children of God International is another cult that began in 1968 and is still currently led by their leader David Berg. Heaven’s Gate, led by Marshall Applewhite, started in 1972 until 1997 and caused 39 members to commit suicide. Another well known cult is the Charles Manson Family which started in 1969. The Rajneesh movement in Oregon, led by Osho also started in 1979 and ended in 1985. And the Church of Scientology which began in 1953 and is currently still running.

Descriptions of a Cult
1 – They reject orthodox, Biblical teaching and oppose all critical thinking.
The only work required for salvation is our belief in Jesus and trusting in His redeeming work on the cross.
•
•
Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent.”
John 6:29
2 – Cult leaders act like lords.
A cult leader will often isolate their adherents and penalize them for wanting to leave the group. The following is a gruesome, macabre example of a cult leader:
Jim Jones was a psychopathic, manipulative, controlling, and insidious leader. He was an early social justice warrior who promoted Marxist or communist ideology to implement his utopian worldview. He founded the People’s Temple in Indiana during the 1950s, moved to California in the mid-60s, and gained countless followers there, exerting full mind control over them. His magnetic charisma prevailed. In the mid-1970s, he relocated hundreds of his followers to Jonestown, Guyana on the northeast coast of South America to avoid tax evasion charges by the US Government and to establish a commune based on his ideology. Many people who relocated to the settlement became aware they were now confined to a type of isolated prison in the jungle. In 1978 rumors began to circulate, alleging that human-rights abuses were occurring within the People’s Temple organization in South America. The United States Congressman, Leo Ryan, went there to investigate. One day later, Ryan and four defectors were murdered by gunfire while boarding a return flight home. Shortly thereafter, Jones led all of his 918 followers—including 304 children—to commit suicide by drinking Kool-Aid spiked with cyanide.
While this appears to be an extreme example of a dangerous cult, there have been others like it throughout history. Looking at this bizarre example helps us to analyze the traits of less manipulative cults. We need to know how cults function, what keeps people in deception, and how to help someone leave.
3 – Leaders glorify themselves as infallible while also promoting a previously unknown revelation.
In the eyes of their followers, they are the ultimate authority. These kinds of leaders are often authoritarian, charismatic, and narcissistic. They emphasize special doctrines outside of the Scriptures, and no one in the group is permitted to think or reason for themselves.
4 – The organization is managed like a cartel or mafia, requiring absolute loyalty to its leaders.
In an article entitled “The Power Abusers,” Ronald Enroth demonstrates some of the tools used by cults to control their members:
• Behavior Control: An individual’s associations, living arrangements, food, clothes, sleep, habits, finances, etc., are strictly controlled.
• Information Control: Cult leaders deliberately withhold or distort information, lie, propagandize, and limit access to other outside sources of information.
• Thought Control: Cult leaders use loaded words and language, discourage critical thinking, bar any speech critical of the cult leaders or policies, and teach an “us vs everyone else” doctrine.
• Emotional Control: Leaders manipulate their followers via fear (including the fear of losing salvation, the fear of being shunned, etc.)
5 – They claim exclusivity.
Those in cults are often be led to believe that they are in the right. Everyone who believes something else is wrong and destined to certain perdition or doom.
6 – Intimidation, fear, and isolation are used on those who have joined.
The leader is paranoid about the “outside world.” When that’s the case, threats are made against members who want to leave. They are often kept isolated from their family members. The even go as far as dishonoring the family unit by crossing Biblical boundaries of social behavior and morality, such as sexual purity and personal ownership.
7 – They cross legal boundaries.
Cult leaders usually influence their members in such a way that they consider themselves above the law. In some groups, there is no financial transparency, oversight, or accountability to anyone.

Signs You’re Probably in a CULT
I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ.
Galatians 1:6-7
1 – A leader is the ultimate authority.
The leader has charisma, claims supreme knowledge, and considers himself to always be right. As a member, you’re not allowed to criticize or question your leader, even if he is wrong. Members of the organization have to forfeit their critical thinking in order to belong. The leader will usually convince his followers that he is divinely directed and all other religions are false and diabolical. And his objective is to replace every individual’s identity through gradual and incremental sessions of indoctrination. This helps his goal of total mind-control over all the adherents.
2 – The group suppresses skepticism and forbids criticism.
To maintain “spiritual purity,” the members must avoid contact and conversations with “outside persons”. They are also forbidden to read any outside material in order to achieve spiritual harmony within the group. For this level of domination, cult leaders utilize manipulative and authoritarian mind-control over the members.
3 – The group delegitimizes former members.
Cult members must shun defectors to prevent being infected with their “so-called truth”. To leave the cult would result in eternal damnation and spiritual suicide.

The members are encouraged to “tell on” anyone who has negative thoughts or doubts.
4 – The group is paranoid about the outside world.
They promote theories about the “end of the world” and deliverance from the evil world which is intent on their destruction. The charismatic leader fosters his theories and ideological system to transcend the “imperfections of life outside”.
5 – The group relies on “shame” tactics to maintain conformity.
The leader imposes strict codes of conduct, guilting members for their shortcomings. They are made to feel unworthy of love and acceptance unless they conform to the rules and confess any shortcomings.
6 – The leader considers himself above the law and moral standards.
This idea allows the leader(s) to exploit the members economically and sexually without repercussions. Sexual grooming is common and members must simply “ignore and/or justify” their leader’s immoral behavior.
7 – The leader uses different means to weaken the minds.
They will use constant lecturing, obsessive praying, and the lack of sleep to maintain the people’s minds in a constant debilitated state. The leader keeps the devotees constantly fatigued, and deprived of sensory input. The group uses “thought reform” methods to correct each other. “Brainwashing” is used to break down a person’s sense of individual identity. Short cliches such as “just follow your leaders” or “doubt your doubts” are used constantly so that the followers don’t critically analyze complex issues.
8 – The group is elitist.
Cults see themselves as selected enlightened ones given the task of transforming the world. This creates a sense of greater unity and purpose. Members are required to cut all relationships with family, friends, or any other contacts who do not agree with the teachings of the cult leader.
9 – There is no financial transparency.
Members are required to make great sacrifices and are not allowed to know where their money goes.
10 – The group performs secret rites.
This is usually discovered only after becoming a member and is used to solidify a member’s loyalty to the group. Their loyalty to the “inner circle” is affirmed through shameful proceedings which make the initiate more susceptible to manipulation.

How to Get Out
My people have committed two sins: They have forsaken Me, the spring of living water; and have dug their own cisterns, broken cisterns that cannot hold water.
Jeremiah 2:13
Walking away from a cult is difficult. By the time folks realize that the organization is a cult, they have developed a strong social circle and strong emotional ties to the group. To make matters worse, the abusive cults will also dominate other areas of a person’s life including personal, private, professional, and financial aspects.
Here are some considerations when leaving a cult:
Run, Don’t Just Walk Away! And Don’t Look Back

Can some1 help with a summary