Cults Part Two
by Mike James
A few weeks back, I wrote a blog on why people fall for cults. We will define a cult as a religion or religious sect generally considered extremist or false, with its followers often living unconventionally under the guidance of an authoritarian or charismatic leader.
I'd like to follow that up with some characteristics of cults. Just because your church might reflect some of these characteristics does not mean you are in a cult. But if these characteristics become the norm or are frequently employed, you may want to take notice.
One thing you will notice is Us-versus-Them jargon. Many totalitarian and cult leaders want to create a split between their followers and everyone else. In the Church of God community, many members of the former Worldwide Church of God continued to stay with the new organization (Grace Community) despite the wholesale changes that were made. I have spoken to some of these individuals, and they have told me they stayed because they believed the new organization was still God's Church. Despite the major doctrinal changes, that fealty might relate to the Us-versus-Them jargon that was sometimes expressed.
Another sign to be mindful of is the authoritarian leader. If a single individual is calling all the shots, watch out. The Bible tells us there is wisdom in many counselors (Proverbs 11:14). When a group of leaders is running an operation, there is a better chance for more and better ideas to be thought about before important decisions are made. Jesus employed servant leadership (John 13:15) with His disciples, and He wanted them to follow that example.
Some well-known cults like Scientology, the People's Temple, and Heaven's Gate employed insider language or knowledge to manipulate their followers. Scientology uses phrases like "going clear" and "body thetans," which most people would not understand unless they were a Scientologist or read up on the organization. Insider knowledge can include knowing when the end of the world will occur or when Christ will return. Some within the Church of God movement continue to attempt to have their followers think they may have this special knowledge.
Anyone who claims to know the date of the end also has a flair for the dramatic. This is another sign to watch out for. Jim Jones studied leaders like Father Divine (a preacher who thought he was a god) and Hitler, known for their dramatic flair. Jones would often use short hyperbolic phrases that would get people fired up. This is often a technique of politicians too. Jones would pick items in the news and speak about these things in catastrophic terms. Everything in the news does not have a connection to the end times. Let's make sure we don't get too dramatic on things that may quickly fade from the headlines.
When an organization allows no room for debate, there is a problem. Some of these groups also have an answer for everything when many questions do not have an answer we can be sure of. Beware of groups that don't allow you to read literature from other groups or listen to speakers from other organizations. The Heaven's Gate group had a quiet rule. When you spoke, you had to speak at a low volume or not at all. This is a manipulative technique used to limit dissent.
Watch out for love bombing too. There is nothing wrong with caring for and helping people in your church or group, but when it becomes over-the-top attention, watch out. Some groups I encountered when I was investigating religious groups years ago gave you too much attention, gratitude, and praise. It made me feel uncomfortable. Charles Manson connected with his younger female followers because they were runaways or from dysfunctional families. He knew they were looking for a father figure or boyfriend. His street smarts helped him manipulate these young women to kill for him.
Finally, the most apparent sign you may be in a cult is when your group begins to control your world. Obvious signs you are not in the right place include things like limiting your food intake or controlling your work habits. Jim Jones kept his people tired and worn out when they tried to set up Jonestown in Guyana. Some Church of God groups have told their followers to rejoin the workforce or get second jobs to increase their tithes and offerings. Certain church groups have an activity for their members every night of the week.
Let us never forget we follow Jesus Christ (Acts 4:12) and not any man, woman, or organization. Men, women, and organizations can help us follow Christ, but we must work out our own salvation with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12).
Sources:
Cultish: The Language of Fanatacism, by Amanda Montell, New York: Harper Collins, 2021.
The Oxford Dictionary
https://www.thefreedictionary.com/cult
"Five Reasons Why 'Normal' People Join Cults—And Why They Stay," by Saba Danawala, March 26, 2018, https://thetempest.co/2018/03/26/now-beyond/why-some-humans-find-their-personal-unicorns-through-cults/.