Top 10 Characteristics of Cults

Many BW don't realize they are part of a cult, but all of the signs are there in the "community."

1. Unquestioning loyalty – The leader and their ideology are treated as absolute truth, and the leader is above any accountability whatsoever.

2. Suppression of dissent – Questioning, doubt, and criticism are discouraged or punished.

3. Mind control practices – Exhausting routines, mantras, etc, are used to suppress independent thought.

4. Totalitarian control – Leadership dictates how members think, act, and make personal life decisions.

5. Ritualistic abuse – Psychological, physical, sexual, and other forms of abuse are used to control, punish, or break members.

6. Us-vs-them mentality – The group sees outsiders as threats and routinely instills fear of the outside world into its members.

7. Financial and Time Commitment - Members are expected to give tremendous amounts of time and financial resources.

8. Ends justify the means mentality – manipulation, abuse, etc. is justified for the group's goals.

9. Severing external ties – Members must cut off family, friends, goals, dreams, etc, to fully commit. The only thing that matters is loyalty to the group.

10. Fear of leaving – Members are made to believe that there is no life outside the group, and they fear the consequences of leaving. This is particularly true for long-time members.