What is a Cult?

So, what's bad about a cult? Or maybe as much to the point - what is a cult? Ask different people, and you'll probably get different answers. It could be the dedicated following of a movie, a band, a star, or other phenomena. It could be a group with a frightening dedication to a leader. As with many things, much of your point of view in regards to cults, and whether a particular group is a cult, depends on how you define it. Even if you can define the word, can you go further and express what it is that is "bad" or "undesirable" about being in a cult. For many I think the negative reaction to the word is emotional rather than defined.
So, again, what is a cult? I'll start with a dictionary definition. This is from the Merriam Webster online dictionary:

1. formal religious veneration

2. a system of religious beliefs and ritual; also :  its body of adherents

3. a religion regarded as unorthodox or spurious; also :  its body of adherents

4. a system for the cure of disease based on dogma set forth by its promulgator <health cults>

5. a) great devotion to a person, idea, object, movement, or work (as a film or book); especially :  such devotion regarded as a literary or intellectual fad; b) the object of such devotion; c) a usually small group of people characterized by such devotion.

I have also heard a religious definition be that it is a group of people following an incorrect or faulty theology.

In addition to these definitions, there are social psychology models for destructive cults which practice mind control -- I know, I know, these are loaded words also. I think the more I have delved into this the more questions I ask. But, for now I will mention some models that are accepted in the social psychology world. The first one is the BITE model which Steve Hassan uses to help people determine whether or not a group is practicing destructive mind control. It includes behavior control, information control, thought control, and emotional control. Rather than further elaborate the URL:

https://www.freedomofmind.com/Info/BITE/bitemodel.php

elaborates better than I could ever do. I would also recommend Steve's books.

Dr. Margaret Singer puts forth six conditions for mind control, and the proposition that in a thought reform program the self concept is destabilized, and the group/leaders attack one's evaluation of self. The six conditions are:

1.   CONTROL OVER TIME: Especially thinking time; The group uses techniques to get a person to think about the group, and the beliefs of the group as much of their waking time as possible.
2.   CREATE A SENSE OF POWERLESSNESS: The group gets people away from their normal support systems for a period of time. The group provides models of behavior (cult members), uses in-group language, uses of songs, games, and stories the person is unfamiliar with or they are modified so that they're unfamiliar. New people tend to want to be like others (acceptance, feeling part of a group).
3.   MANIPULATE REWARDS, PUNISHMENTS, EXPERIENCES IN ORDER TO SUPPRESS OLD SOCIAL BEHAVIOR: The group manipulates social rewards and intellectual rewards. The rewards support positive self-concept for conformity to new thought system. The punishments attack a person's self-concept  for non-conformity. The effects of the reward/punishment behavior modification include accepting a particular world view, and participating in procedures for peer monitoring w/feedback to group. Psychological, social & material sanctions influence the target's behavior. When there is control of external feedback, the group becomes the only source and there are no reality checks. Participation, conformity to ideas/behavior, zeal, and personal changes are rewarded. Criticalness, independent thinking, and non-conformity to ideas/behavior are punished. Punishments can include peer/group criticism, withdrawal of support/affection, isolation, and negative feedback. The person becomes dependent upon the group for external validation of their social identity. This results in confusion, disorientation, and/or psychological disturbances.
4.   MANIPULATE REWARDS, PUNISHMENTS, EXPERIENCES IN ORDER TO ELICIT NEW BEHAVIOR: Models will demonstrate new behavior. Conformity: dress, language, behavior. Using group language will eventually still the thinking mind.
5.   MUST BE A TIGHTLY CONTROLLED SYSTEM OF LOGIC: No complaints from the floor; Pyramid shaped operation with leader at the top; Top leaders must maintain absolute control/authority; Persons in charge must have verbal ways of never losing; Anyone who questions is made to think there is something inherently wrong with them to even question; Phobia induction: something bad will happen if you leave the group; Guilt manipulation.
6.   PERSONS BEING THOUGHT REFORMED MUST BE UNAWARE THAT THEY ARE BEING MOVED THROUGH A PROGRAM TO MAKE THEM DEPLOYABLE AGENTS, TO BUY MORE COURSES, SIGN UP FOR THE DURATION, ETC.: You can't be thought reformed with full capacity, and informed consent. You don't know the agenda of the group at the beginning or the full content of the ideology.

Finally I'll mention Dr. Robert J. Lifton's eight criteria for Thought Reform:

1. Milieu Control.  This involves the control of information and communication both within the environment and, ultimately, within the individual, resulting in a significant degree of isolation from society at large.

2. Manipulation.  There is manipulation of experiences that appear spontaneous but in fact were planned and orchestrated by the group or its leaders in order to demonstrate divine authority or spiritual advancement or some special gift or talent that will then allow the leader to reinterpret events, scripture, and experiences as he or she wishes.

3. Demand for Purity.  The world is viewed as black and white and the members are constantly exhorted to conform to the ideology of the group and strive for perfection.  The induction of guilt and/or shame is a powerful control device used here.

4. Confession.  Sins, as defined by the group, are to be confessed either to a personal monitor or publicly to the group.  There is no confidentiality; members' "sins," "attitudes," and "faults" are discussed and exploited by the leaders. 
5. Sacred Science.  The group's doctrine or ideology is considered to be the ultimate Truth, beyond all questioning or dispute.  Truth is not to be found outside the group.  The leader, as the spokesperson for God or for all humanity, is likewise above criticism. 
6. Loading the Language.  The group interprets or uses words and phrases in new ways so that often the outside world does not understand.  This jargon consists of thought-terminating clichés, which serve to alter members' thought processes to conform to the group's way of thinking. 
7. Doctrine over person.  Member's personal experiences are subordinated to the sacred science and any contrary experiences must be denied or reinterpreted to fit the ideology of the group. 
8. Dispensing of existence.  The group has the prerogative to decide who has the right to exist and who does not.  This is usually not literal but means that those in the outside world are not saved, unenlightened, unconscious and they must be converted to the group's ideology.  If they do not join the group or are critical of the group, then they must be rejected by the  members.  Thus, the outside world loses all credibility.  In conjunction, should any member leave the group, he or she must be rejected also.  (Lifton, 1989)
Dr. Singer's and Dr. Lifton's books are well worth reading.
So with those definitions, I'll go back to my first question - what's bad about a cult? in my next post and try to answer that for me. You are welcome to have other opinions.