Text of a talk given by Geoff Hunt, 2005

A religious cult is an organisation that manipulates people into a very strong and uncritical form of exclusive attachment to the organisation on the basis of some religious / spiritual claims and promises, although in fact it has over-riding non-religious objectives (power, money, superiority, etc.). It is marked by more than one of the following general features (what we might call "The Four C’s"): compulsion, charisma, charlatanism, cash.

COMPULSION
The cult is marked by its persistent demand for a strong sense of loyalty to the organisation and its leaders. It tends to be exclusive, meaning that one is either a member or one is not, and members are somehow superior to non-members. Membership of, or an affinity with or interest in, other religious organisations and ideas will be discouraged by a cult.  Cults often spend a lot of time criticizing or demeaning other religious groups and ideas. Members are expected to comply with certain rules or forms of behaviour and there may be disciplinary measures for non-compliance. There will usually be some ritual (or payment) for becoming a member, and leaving the organisation will be difficult. Psychological pressure and manipulation is applied to members to ensure conformity.

CHARISMA
The founder or leader of the cult organisation will generally have explicit claims to some exclusive insights or abilities that most people do not and/or cannot have. The leader will have the persuasive power to make people think this is true, does not engage in argument or critical analysis, and will also take advantage of the vulnerability of those who are sick, lonely and fearful (and does not always have long hair and a beard!). This is the key to the compulsive nature of the cult. The leader or leaders create the illusion that they themselves can dissolve the problems of human life, and all that is required of members is the belief that this is true. The leader will usually keep some distance or aloofness from the membership, is reluctant to admit to faults, and works through delegates of his/her own choosing. Charisma works by disempowering people, not by empowering them to take responsibility for their own life problems. People who are ‘members’ may feel they are being psychologically manipulated, especially being made to feel guilty if they do not comply with requirements. There will be a strong emphasis on recruitment of ‘new members’, and on members spending more and more of their time and resources on 'building' the organisation, and this may be connected with claims that more money is needed for the survival of the organisation.

CASH
If there is a growing emphasis on ‘making donations’, with pressure to give money in order to be regarded as a ‘good member’ or in order to be ‘saved’ in some way, then you may be in a cult or in an organisation moving in that direction. In many cults there is a cash collection at every, or almost every, meeting. This begins with small bowls and ends up with plastic buckets and credit card facilities. One may also have to pay for supposedly ‘spiritual’ items. The fate of the money is not clear, and there is no way to find out. Detailed accounts are not published or available. Often the leader or leaders live in expensive houses, drive large cars and may have a second home in a tourist destination.

CHARLATANISM
The central religious or spiritual claims made by the leader and organisation are shallow and eclectic. They do not seem to be embedded in any longstanding religious tradition, and do not appear to fit into a coherent whole. The main ideas will be very woolly, and there may be a tendency to emotionality, frenzy, devotion, adoration and fainting. There may be some claims about the magical or miraculous qualities of some object or activity or person. The emphasis is always on simply believing in x, y or z, and how this will bring ‘success’ or ‘salvation’.

Among the Questions to ask yourself:

Am I constantly being asked for money?
Do I know what happens to any money that is collected?
Am I expected to believe that the ‘leaders’ are superior beings?
Am I being subjected to psychological pressure?
Can I say 'No' without pressure?
Is there a major emphasis on recruitment?
Is it a hierarchical and secretive organisation?
Can I freely make criticisms and are these considered?
Can I participate in significant decision-making?
Is there too much emphasis on ‘being well-organised’?
Are there magical, miraculous or superstitious claims being made?
Can I leave without any pressure being exerted on me?

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