Cult groups – how to identify them – how to get rid of them

We frequently get enquiries from AA members who are concerned about the activities of cult groups operating in their area but are at something of a loss when it comes to how to deal with them and the problems they create. Obviously there's quite a bit of information on the site (and this can be narrowed down both by judicious use of the search box positioned at the top left of the blog page and by utilising the 'label' system (key words inserted at the bottom of each blog entry and also on the right hand side of the blog) but we decided that perhaps a more condensed format would be useful. So we present:
Cult groups in two easy steps: how to identify them - how to get rid of them

[Caveat: Strictly speaking the term 'cult' does not necessarily refer to a collective engaged (deliberately or not) in malign acts. The qualification sometimes employed to more accurately denote these is 'destructive cults'. Here our use of the term implies the latter].


How to identify them (Source: Cult Awareness and Information Library)

“CULT - Any group which has a pyramid type authoritarian leadership structure with all teaching and guidance coming from the person/persons at the top. The group will claim to be the only way to God; Nirvana; Paradise; Ultimate Reality; Full Potential, Way to Happiness etc, and will use thought reform or mind control techniques to gain control and keep their members.”

[Note: This definition would include all the world's major religions but see our caveat above]  

“Other Identification Marks

(a) The group will have an ELITIST view of itself in relation to others, and a UNIQUE CAUSE. i.e. THEY ARE THE ONLY ONES RIGHT — everyone else is wrong. THEY ARE THE ONLY ONES DOING GOD'S WILL — everyone else is in apostasy.
(b) They will promote their cause actively, and in doing so, abuse God-given personal rights and freedoms. This abuse can be THEOLOGICAL, SPIRITUAL, SOCIAL & PSYCHOLOGICAL.” 

“Some Abuses Of Rights And Freedoms:

1. Abuse Of Individuality: They adopt a "groupness" mentality. They are not permitted to think for themselves apart from the group and only accept what they are told.
2. Abuse Of Intimacy: Relationships with friends, relatives, spouses, children, parents etc are broken or seriously hampered.
3. Abuse Of Finances: Pressure to give all you can to the group. In non-communal groups, members usually live at the lower socio-economic strata, not because of a lower income level, but because they are always giving money to the group for some reason.
4. "Us Versus Them" Mentality: Isolation from the community in general. Anyone and everything outside the group is seen as "of the devil" or "unenlightened" etc. Their enemies now include former friends; the Christian church; governments; education systems; the media — the world in general. Those who are involved with these in any way see such involvement as a "means to an end".
5. Abuse Of Time And Energy: The group controls and uses almost all the members time and energy in group activities. They are usually in a constant state of mental and physical exhaustion.
6. Abuse Of Free Will: They must unquestioning submit to the groups teachings and directions and their own free will is broken. Their "will" actually becomes the groups "will" without their realizing it. This is done either by coercive methods including low protein diets and lack of sleep, or over a period of time through intimidation. Both methods make heavy use of "guilt". 

Results Of This Abuse 

1. Personality Changes
Relatives will say they no longer recognize the person. From a warm, loving personality will come heaped abuse, rejection and feelings of hate. The cult member sees himself as "righteous" in comparison and this comes across in their attitude toward all outsiders.
2. Loss Of Identity
They cannot see themselves as individuals apart from the group. Some even change their name as a rejection of their former life.
3. Paranoid — We Are Being Persecuted
Any time you say anything negative about the group, whether justified or no, it is regarded as "persecution". Any criticism of the individual is also seen as persecution only because they are the "true Christian" or "enlightened" one — not because they, as an individual, have done the wrong thing. However, at the same time they will feel free to criticise whatever you believe, say and do because they are "the only ones who are right".
4. Social Disorientation
They lose their ability to socialize outside the group. This can go so far as to not being able to structure their time or make simple decisions for themselves when they leave.
Their world-view alters and they perceive the world through their leaders eyes. They become very naive about life in general.
5. Severe Guilt Complexes
They are made to feel guilty of everything they did before entering the group and are to strive to be "good" and "worthy" for "eternal life". Misdemeanours are made into "mountains" so that members are in a constant state of guilt for infringing even the most minor rules. Guilt comes because they aren't doing enough; entertaining doubts or questions; even thinking rationally for oneself.
This guilt is piled upon pile with new rules constantly being laid down about what is sinful and what is not. Illness may be seen as lack of faith — more guilt. Emotional illness may be seen as proof of sin in your life — more guilt.” 


Cheerio 

The Fellas (Friends of Alcoholics Anonymous)