The term religious cult can often be a confusing and even controversial one. Some people may regard a cult as any group that falls outside the category of mainstream religion. Others may think a cult is made up of members who exhibit bizarre, brainwashed behavior. The word cult can also conjure up a fair amount of fear because of the tragic stories of the Branch Davidians and Jonestown. When looking for a definition of the word cult it can become even more confusing. The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines a cult as,
- Formal religious veneration
- A system of religious beliefs and ritual
- A religion regarded as unorthodox or spurious
So, based on these, nearly all religions or spiritual groups could be considered a cult. Some people also unfairly use the word cult in a derogatory way towards spiritual systems that are different than theirs. For the most part though, a religious cult is a group that is typically defined by certain characteristics, which include:
- A single, charismatic leader who demands loyalty, claims to be a prophet and is an object of extreme devotion.
- Containment of the group in an isolated, communal setting.
- Control over the personal lives of group members by the leader. This control can include such things as whom they can marry, what they can wear and where they can work. Control can also include physical abuse, sexual abuse, deprivation of food or sleep and physical restraint.
- An us against them mentality created by the leader. One in which group members are told time and again that the outside world is an evil and dangerous place. This can also include stockpiling food and weapons in preparation for a violent confrontation. However, not all cults advocate the use of violence toward those they deem as outsiders.
- Threatening members with punishment or even death if they speak out against the group.
Some dangerous cults also physically abuse and/or sexually abuse the children in the group, require members to give large monetary donations and may also twist biblical scriptures or spiritual texts in order to further the ideology of the group.
It's important to remember that the word cult should not be applied to a spiritual belief system just because it seems different or conflicts with your own beliefs. It's also important to note that a cult should not be confused with a religious sect. A sect is a group that breaks away from an established religion due to protest over, what they view as, untrue or impure teachings.
