Cult Myths Debunking Bad Cult Identifiers

Though Cult Myths is for critically analyzing the anti-cult movement and its claims (with discussions of some counter-cult claims sprinkled in), the list of cult identifiers here, and instruction for self-awareness, is accurate, honest and reliable, providing proof and deep research. Cult Myths is not for getting rich, but to act in defense of freedom of religion. The facts in this series are self-evident and need no defense, but input is appreciated.

The primary author is not a psychiatrist nor psychologist, and does not claim to be a "cult expert", but has been involved with several religious organizations, read many different religious texts and met members of truly destructive religions in the course of his life and door-to-door ministry. He is an autodidact with little institutional psychology training.

The author has done substantial independent study on destructive religions, has been the subject of religious bigotry, is a member of a group who is maliciously misidentified as a destructive cult by religious bigots and profiteers. He has been exceptionally dissatisfied with the anti-cult information to date for its imprecision and obvious exploitation of fear and religious hatred.

The author is fully aware of the irony that he is religious. Steven Hassan attends synagogue, but no one finds that peculiar. As long as a person can divorce their work from religious life, there should not be a conflict. The neutrality of the Cult Myths blog will be evident with each post.

Additionally, the author observes exit counselors performing the very same things they accuse their targets of doing, which makes their methods at the least ethically questionable if not morally bankrupt.

The problem with so-called anti-cult professionals and exit counselors is that they want to be able to pick and choose who is a "cult" at will. They make lists that cover a broad range of influential practices that rarely harm anyone, and that pretty much everyone does.

Why do these "specialists" do this? It seems obvious that it is usually about money because they can't catch these groups through honest means and stay relevant. Their lists become like using dynamite to catch fish in a barrel. Some of these exit counselors charge outrageous fees for just one hour of their service while they go on book tours and talk shows because recognition becomes more important than actually doing their jobs.

Fixing the Problem

Being "new", "strange" or "different" does not qualify a religion as destructive in the least. Neither does not believing in a particular doctrine. While a religion may demonstrate many qualities of destructive religions, it itself is not a destructive religion unless it actually negatively impacts its members.

So, because no one seemed to be willing to do it honestly without corruption, it has to be corrected by someone not in the inner circle. In the list labeled "Danger" in the sidebar, Cult Myths separates out all the meaningless items that have no bearing upon control or destructiveness and compiles a list of more qualified items. The claims made by anti-cultists that do nothing to determine a cult are discussed under "Harmless", and things that could pass from harmless to harmful are labeled "Red Flags".

To construct this list, some of the most influential lists of "cult" behavior were carefully analyzed and deconstructed to reveal very little that can be used to identify destructive religions. Therefore, the author focuses on analyzing actual destructive religions in his research, not simply for influential behaviors (covered separately), but for ultimately and consistently destructive behaviors. In doing so, a substantial list of identifiers has been uncovered that is effective at consistently identifying dangerous cults, rather than something that can be loosely applied by someone who has already prejudged a group as a cult.

If a religion practices anything on the list of dangers, then they are almost certainly a dangerous or destructive cult, not just 'maybe if you squint your eyes.' This blog represents the culmination of this study. It is firmly believed here that those on the lookout will find this considerably more helpful than previous information on dangerous or destructive cults.

This series distinguishes between the group think of a dangerous or destructive cult and the otherwise standard behavior of the human psyche. It combining individual human psychology and group sociology and dynamics. You will learn how to think for yourself while still being a productive part of any group to which you choose to belong.

This blog does not assume the existence of mind control or brainwashing, due to the need of individuals to submit themselves voluntarily to such control. Otherwise they are forced to do the will of the religion out of fear, thus actual brainwashing and control of the mind does not take place. Such terms have been described as "quackery" by the psychiatric community.

The symptoms of negatively impacting cults are provided so that you do not have to become a victim of these in order to recognize them.

One thing people must remember is that if an individual appears well-rounded, comfortable in their skin and pleasantly happy, they are not likely a member of a destructive religion. Members of destructive religions are typically not balanced individuals. This does not mean they are always crazy, but true happiness and clear thinking is not usually readily apparent because of their undergoing negative cult impact while suppressing their personal feelings about the abuse.

At the same time, though, one person being crazy, unhappy, or lacking clear thinking is not automatically an indicator of the person belonging to a destructive religion. Any number of factors could contribute to a person's unbalanced nature. However, if there is a consistent presence of such indicators among many members, especially in the immediate presence of a leader, then take note.

About Cult Myths

There are many claims about how to identify a cult. Some are less effective than others and some are downright dishonest, and at the very least perfectly useless for identifying dangerous or destructive cults. This series takes a magnifying glass to these and reveal them for what they are.

In these posts, we will consider innocuous claims (actually healthy or harmless) of cult identifiers That these make it onto anyone's list is puzzling. Then we will look at what is truly dangerous or red flags that reasonably indicate a practice that is questionable from a secular standpoint or could be misused. A group can have a combination of these practices.

We will document known dangerous religions so that the reader may have a co-experiential knowledge of what a dangerous religion really is without all the doom and gloom of emotionally charged words and music, unnerving visuals, ominous storytelling and deep-voiced narrators to influence you. Instead, we will look only at the facts.

Subjects

Areas of Identification. These will be the primary identification posts to discus what is not and then what is destructive or dangerous behavior. These are the posts most people will be interested in. You can get a sense of all the subjects covered in this post.

Cult and Non-cult Identifiers. These will be links in the sidebar to the relevant Area of Identification post that discusses the particular trait indicated by the link title. This allows the reader to look through the posts by trait under any of four categories.

Cult Types. As a primer to the next section, we examine the various types of true dangerous and destructive cults that have unquestionably damaged their members with intent.

Dangerous Cults. Here we explore true dangerous and destructive cults whose activities as such have been proved time and again. We examine the media and police reports concerning these groups, as well as testimonies of former members.

Psychology and Sociology. The area of religion analysis is actually more subtle and complex than so-called "cult specialists" make it out to be. Many other features of human psychology and social interactions play fundamental roles in the religious leaders, the group and the individual members. Things glossed over by the supposed professionals.

Flip-side Anti-cult News. Where we report on harmful cult activity, it will be reported here. We will also investigate and debunk anti-cult claims in the news.

Anti-cult Definitions. It is important to understand the terms that are used in the anti-cult sphere. The terms are recaptured away from the myth-making and redefinition by anti-cultists. Read these terms to familiarize yourself with the subject of cult identification and the issues associated with anti-cult buzz words.

Related Advice. If you have specific questions about issues related to any of these subjects in this list, use the contact form under Contact Us in the sidebar. We will respond in a timely manner. You may keep up with our advice by following over at Jehovah's Witness Advisor.

We proved both solicited and unsolicited non-professional advice about how to identify, avoid or escape dangerous and destructive cults. We also provide counsel for building a support group and distancing oneself from a cult past.

Disclaimers

Though the Dismythed blog is religiously affiliated through its founder, the Cult Myths section takes no stand on religion. It neither promotes nor discourages any type of religion. We recognize each person's right to make their own choices about religion. Cult Myths is strictly for helping the public to reason on erroneous "cult" claims and to provide the tools to genuinely identify religious groups that are truly dangerous, not simply sectarian, and to give or identify sensible advice about how to avoid or overcome them.

Though Dismythed offers advice on various subjects, it is not a site for licensed psychiatric, psychological or mental health advice of any kind. What is posted here is the opinion of the authors. No diagnoses of any individuals will be attempted. Any statement that may seem like a diagnosis must be taken as the opinion of the author without the intent to give professional advice or diagnosis.

We believe, by the abundance of lies and disingenuine claims of anti-cultists, that no psychiatrist or psychologist has ever demonstrated an honest assessment of what constitutes a dangerous or destructive religion, herein identified as a "cult". We are seeking only to give our honest assessments of their claims that anyone with a reasoning mind would honestly conclude with careful analysis.