5/3 Cult Leaders and their followers?
In our previous posts, we have define what we mean when we discuss a ‘Cult’ . We then went on to some of the major differences between our Christian Foundations and the belief system of Cults. We continue now a picture of a typical Cult leader and their followers.
A. WHAT MAKES A CULT LEADER?
To start a cult, the people have to believe they have a truer view of some truth. This begins the break-away group.
1. The ‘Cult Leader’ or central Person who leads the group:
a. Generally, the person who breaks with a mainline church genuinely believes they have a God-given mission. They begin to think of their past church ‘apostate’ and in deception. They see themselves as having the ‘truth’. They begin to oppose the false doctrine others believe. The person may even offer new truths. Often they believe their truth is hidden from those unworthy to receive new light.
b. Next, the person usually has a small but equally believing froup of followers. This group is willing to leave behind the old belief system. The followers are ready to enter into this new doctrine.
c. To develop stronger control, the leader/s use methods to reinforce the Cult’s beliefs and standards. Often this is through ridicule or misrepresentation. Sometimes, selected discipline or open humiliation is used. Questioning, doubt, and dissent are discouraged or even punished.
d. Often, the leader/s induce feelings of shame, guilt or peer pressure. This is designed as forms of subtle persuasion, to further insure obedience.
e. The leader or specially selected leadership controls by dictating how the members should think and act. Sometimes this includes arranged marriages. Having a say in having or not having children goes into their plans.
f. The leader often claims to have special reasons for their behaviour,. Sometimes it is a special revelation from God, from an angel or to have special abilities. This leader is believed to be beyond reproach. Therefore it is hard to contradict or have the revelation questioned.
g. The leader/s become beyond accountability to any authority, government regulations or religious judgements. They are especially set against those within mainstream denominations.
2. The People who follow:
a. As the followers grew in number, isolation continues other sources. If the group claims to be Christian, an exclusion of the mainline 
‘deceived’ churches of follows. Stronger teachings and methods of keeping this new truth pure for the followers adds another layer of control.
b. Control is needed to keep people on the right path, emotionally, physically, financially and intellectually. Sometimes this is through fear, threatening loss of salvation. Position in the group or even loss of family members may be threathened.
c. Members are required to show excessively zealous and unquestioning commitment to the Cult and its leader/s. This is expected irregardless of their own belief system and past practices.
d. As the group grows, assess are needed. Tithing, property settlements and financial contributions are ‘encouraged’. Issues about sexual privileges – either same or opposite sex isolation – are instigated. Members are encouraged or required to live and/or socialize only with other group members.
e. Often some united sense of doom, or end time events are fostered to further unite the people together. This adds control adds a philosophical and future focus. It is often used to prepare for a ‘apocalyptic event’. The group usually experiences persecution from the outside. This further units the group in its assurance of being ‘the special ones’.
f. Sometimes special experiences are presented as valuable for the followers. They are expected to display such things as lengthy prayers, meditation or fasting to gain approval. Chanting, repetition of words are other ways the members can prove their ‘spirituality’. Sometimes, these special methods include ’Mind Altering’ practices such as denunciation sessions. Heavy work and other methods are added to suppress doubts about the group and its leader/s.
g. With the persecution from the outside and the ‘special revelations’ from inside, the group turns ‘elitist’. This tends to exalt themselves with the same special status as their leader. They come to believe they are on a special mission to save humanity. With this attitude, the group may cause conflict with the wider society. This means they become further isolated.
h. Being closely watched is another control method by Cults. This means restricted or denouncing ties with friends, family members and others outside the group. Personal activities and goals are radically altered. Again, this is to maintain the Cult’s influence over its members.
i. More pressure is put on the members to bring in new members. This adds more resources and money to accomplish the Cult’s goals.
j. Soon, there is no life outside the Cult. and those ‘true believers’ believe there is no other way to live. They are now caught between the subservience to the Cult or the fear of reprisals to themselves and others if they try and leave – even consider leaving the group.
In our next post, we shall see how most cults get started. We shall also present a personal story of someone we shall call Christine and how she was introduced and stayed with the cult she found. Join us then,
Susanne Fengler, Blog Author
www.christianfoundations-jesus.treeoflife.info
Tags: Cult leaders
Filed under: Challenges to the Christian Faith
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