27 Signs That You Are In A "Christian" Cult

Some Christians would be surprised to learn that they are in a cult instead of being in the Church of Jesus Christ. The problem is that they're in cult disguised as a church. In this church-like cult, the message is partially evangelical, but all the rest (teaching, methods, mindset) is cultic and demonic. Here are some crystal clear signs that you are involved in a cult. When you are part of a cult, one of the words you will never hear is the term “cult” itself. They hate this word. Cult apologists have said that the word ‘cult’ should be replaced by the politically correct title “new religious movement” (NRM). You will know you’re in a cult if you notice the following: 1. A god-like figure and domineering leader The first sign, that first red flag that you are in a cult is the leader of the organization himself (or herself). Cults begin with a charismatic leader who claims some supreme knowledge or power. They may call themselves a prophet, messiah, father, messenger, or an enlightened teacher. They can also be CEOs, military officials, politicians, and self-help gurus. The cult leader is a god-like figure that expect to be worshipped by his followers. Unlike Jesus who washed his disciples' feet, he won't humble himself to serve people, but he sees himself as the Chosen One,  the Great Visionary. He wants to be served, worshipped, feared, venerated; he craves honor, respect, admiration, praises. He will be seeking inappropriate loyalty from his members. Cult members are deceived into placing their primary loyalty towards the cult leader instead of Jesus Christ. The leader is usually alone at the top with a small inner-circle of managers who control the followers who are all at the bottom. Frequently, the followers even begin to imitate his mannerisms in terms of voice inflection, language patterns, aggressive attitudes, etc. It is not uncommon that the leader knows of weaknesses or past problems of people within his group. Thus, through subtle intimidation and fear he keeps them under his control. Oftentimes, this venerated leader has no meaningful accountability and becomes the single most defining element of the group and its source of power and authority. Any member of the group who questions or doubts the authority of the leader is likely to be labeled wrong, rebellious, suppressive, negative and in some situations even “demon possessed” or “satanic”. 2. Cult members lavish the leader in luxury As we said earlier, the cult leader wants to be served and he will use his followers’ resources to support his extravagant lifestyle. He will use their money, their time, their strength, their skills, everything he can to live lavishly off the backs of his disciples. The leader is preoccupied with raising money. There is always a need for increasing finances. New projects are ever in the planning. Members are strongly encouraged to greatly sacrifice for the leader’s current pet enterprise. The cult leader always takes the major credit for the movement’s accomplishments. Members become psychologically dependent upon him. “What would we ever do without our leader?,” is the cult mentality. 3. Critical thinking is discouraged Cults view critical thinking as an infectious disease and every effort is made to suppress it. Doubting members are encouraged to isolate themselves from outside influences and focus solely on the doctrine of the cult. Criticism is forbidden. People who contradict the group are viewed as persecutors and are often given labels like “anti,” “apostate,” or “suppressive person.” Members are discouraged from consuming any material that is critical of the group. 4. Brainwashing The cult uses deceptive means, typically, to recruit new members, and then once recruited will subject its members to an organized program of thought reform, or what most people refer to as brainwashing. In the cult, a process of indoctrination or education is put in place. The new cult member must be taught the ways of the organization. He must think differently from the way he used to think. In a church context, emphasis will be put on special doctrines outside scripture. The cult member will be taught some “truths” he never heard before, he will learn some new mind-blowing doctrines that are in fact heresies. But he will be instructed to think that he finally found the truth. He has found the light. He is being taught “secrets that were hidden from him”. Indoctrination or “brainwashing” is the process through which a cult slowly breaks down a person’s sense of identity and ability to think rationally. Behaviors like excessive fasting, prayer, hypnosis, scripture reading, chanting, meditation, or drug usage can all be used to increase a person’s vulnerability to the leader’s suggestions. The hallmark of indoctrination is the use of thought-terminating cliches. Platitudes like “follow the leader” or “doubt your doubts” are regurgitated over and over so that members don’t have to critically analyze complex issues. 5. Exploitation Not only the cult member is brainwashed but in the process he or she is being exploited. Most cults often abuse and exploit their members. This abuse may occur in the areas of finances, physical labor, child abuse and neglect, medical neglect, sexual exploitation and/or psychological and emotional abuse. The cult members are taught to sacrifice everything for their leader in the name of God. 6. Alteration of personality Cult members are seen occasionally to take on a new personality. They begin to act differently. They become increasingly antagonistic to family members and long-time friends. They may even boast, “I am not the old [name] that you used to know; I am a new person now.” And indeed they are. They have become strangers to those who knew them well. They have been transformed into the image of their leader. The Christian must always be on guard against cult-like figures who would control their thinking and life patterns. Our challenge is to bring every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5), and to none other. 7. Penalized for leaving Cult members are taught that there is no legitimate reason to leave. Former followers are always wrong in leaving, negative or even evil. If you leave there will be some repercussions. The cult may attempt to discredit you, attack your reputation, tarnish your image. They will call you names, make people believe that you’re the black sheep, make you look bad. They may also attempt to intimidate you. A very important aspect of cult is the idea that if you leave the cult, horrible things will happen to you. 8. The group performs secret rites If there are secret teachings or ceremonies you didn’t discover until after you joined, you’re probably in a cult. Cults use secret rituals as rites of passage that solidify a member’s loyalty to the group. Initiation into these rites usually only comes after a member has undergone certain tests or made adequate financial contributions. Often, cult initiations are confusing, bizarre, or even offensive. This mental dissonance between their sense of confusion and their loyalty to the “inner circle” convinces the initiate to double their efforts in order to properly appreciate the proceedings. This only further entrenches them in a shame cycle, making them even more susceptible to manipulation. 9. Isolation Members of a cult are living in their own small world. Everything revolves around the movement and the leader. Cults position themselves as the sole refuge from an evil outside world that is intent on their destruction. Cults thrive on conspiracy theories, catastrophic thinking, and persecution complexes. In an effort to draw in more paying members, cults are often very aggressive in their recruitment efforts. Those who reject the cult’s message are unelect, prideful, evil, or stupid. 10. Abuse Former members often relate the same stories of abuse and reflect a similar pattern of grievances. There are records, books, news articles, or broadcast reports that document the abuses of the group/leader. 11. Mind altering practices are used This could include anything from meditation to chanting to speaking in tongues (although to be clear, not everyone who participates in activities like this — even in a group setting — is necessarily involved in a cult). The purpose of these activities is to suppress doubt. Humans are social creatures. Therefore, if one person sees their friends and contemporaries participating in some sort of group chant or denunciation service, they’ll naturally want to be part of the crowd and participate as well. Going against the grain might not only be dangerous; it could be undesirable from a social standpoint as they don’t want to lose their friends. 12-Members must seek permission before engaging in certain activities Since the cult leader’s word is law, he or she must be consulted in the event that a member wants to do certain things such as date, change jobs, or marry someone. In addition to seeking permission, members must abide by the guidelines set forth by the leaders. Getting permission goes beyond simply making a life change like getting married or having kids — cult members must follow the leader’s rules when it comes to how to raise those children, where they should live, what schools (if any) their children may attend, and basically every other aspect of their lives. 13-The cult is elitist Essentially, this means that the group — and its leader — consider themselves to be the cream of the crop. They aren’t mere mortals; they’re on a special mission to save humanity. In some cases, cult leaders aren't merely on a mission from God — they are a god. Which goes back to their own word being law. You wouldn’t want to go against God’s word, would you? Cult leaders use this to coerce members into risky financial behavior, sexual favors, free manual labor, or heightened recruitment efforts in order to “further the cause.” 14- A strong Us vs Them mentality The cult separates itself from the rest of the world — both mentally and, often, physically. This, along with feeling justified in breaking the rules of society — can lead to a lot of conflict between group members and non-members. 15. Shame and guilt are prevalent Shame and guilt are the two most popular tools in the cult leader’s toolbox. They are often accomplished through peer pressure and very subtle forms of persuasion. As we’ve already mentioned, humans are social creatures who long to be part of a group. If they are made to feel guilty or shameful for something they’ve done, they’re more likely to fall in line and conform to the rest of the group. 16. Group members must cut ties with their families Most cults require their followers to cut contact with their family and friends (unless, of course, those people are already members of the group). In addition to cutting contact with "outsiders," group members may have to make other drastic changes to their lives. This might include radically altering their personal goals and even the activities they engaged in before joining the group. Such changes could be as small as changing their diet, or as large as leaving their home to move to a compound. 17. A preoccupation with new members If there’s one thing a cult likes more than its own members, it’s potential new members. First of all, bringing more people “into the fold” is a definite ego boost to the leader, who feels powerful for having control over a growing number of people. More practically, additional members often means additional money. Members may be expected to pay dues to the group, or even sell everything they possess or take out loans to give money to the group. 18. A preoccupation with money No matter how much money a cult brings in, it’s never considered “enough.” Often, cult leaders will make increasingly more desperate demands for members to turn over money, perhaps even promising that they’ll eventually get their money back. They won’t. In a church context, they will promise people “blessings” they may never get. 19. A huge time commitment Members of a cult are expected to devote inordinate amounts of time to the group — this can include completing jobs or “missions” for the group or participating in other group-related activities. Friends and family members of cult members — assuming ties to them haven’t already been cut off — will notice and often comment on the fact that they never seem to see their loved one anymore. 20. A requirement to socialize with fellow members only This goes beyond cutting off contact with non-member friends and family members. Unless they are actively engaged in trying to convert a non-member to the group, a member’s contact with outsiders is extremely minimal. This could simply mean that they don't engage with outsiders in their everyday lives or it could be as drastic as choosing to live among members and refusing to acknowledge there’s an outside world at all. 21. There Is nothing worth pursuing except the group's goals In a cult, the most devoted members are firmly convinced that there is no life outside the context of the group. Every decision they make, every thought they have is focused on what is best for the group and its leader. 22. The leader is above the law A prevalent idea among cult leaders is that they are above the law, be it human or divine. This idea allows them to exploit their followers economically and sexually without repercussions. When confronted, they do not confess, but create justifications for their impropriety. Sexual grooming of members is common. Loyal cult members will perform any amount of “mental gymnastics” to justify or ignore the leader’s behavior. 23. There is no financial transparency If you’re not allowed to know what the group does with their money, you’re probably in a cult. A group that refuses to disclose its finances is a huge red flag. Ethical organizations have nothing to hide. Cult leaders tend to live opulently while their followers are required to make financial sacrifices. Members are often encouraged to pay their offerings even if it means putting their families at risk. 24. The group delegitimizes former members Because the cult considers itself the ultimate authority on truth, it can’t imagine anybody leaving it with their integrity intact. Thus, it has to perpetuate a false narrative that former members were deceived, proud, immoral, or lazy. If former members speak out, they are dismissed as bitter, angry, dishonest or evil. Cults often impose some kind of shunning to shame former members and prevent them from infecting other members with the truth. 25. The cult leader can do no wrong Cult members are taught to think that whatever the leader does is fine. Any sin he may commit is forgivable. Members are taught to “rationalize” the conduct of the leader in matters they have always “considered unethical before,” under the guise that the “end justifies the means.” Those who dare criticize the leader’s actions are cursed or they don’t have the spirit.

26. They add to the Word of God

It's never the Bible alone as its authority. Publications such as the Book of Mormon, Perl of Great Price, Sciene and Health, Awake, Watchtower Magazine are given equal or greater importance over Scripture. 27. They substract from the Deity of Jesus

They will say he's a prophet a teacher, the devil's brother, a son of God ( with lowcase s), Michael the Archangel, but never God the flesh. They may also say that the Holy Spirit is not a person but a force. 

If you recognize your church or your leader here, you're definitely in a cult. Get out before it's too late.