Definition of a cult

Former Cult Awareness Network
http://home.icon.fi/~marina/can/canpage/can1.htm

What is a Cult?

A serious problem exists in our society as a result of the emergence of
groups, popularly called cults, using mind control (undue influence) and
unethical means to recruit and retain followers. Association with these
groups can be harmful to followers and disruptive to families, friends
and society.

MARKS OF A DESTRUCTIVE CULT

Mind Control (undue influence): Manipulation by use of coercive
persuasion or behavior modification techniques without informed consent.
Charismatic Leadership: Claiming divinity or special knowledge and
demanding unquestioning obedience with power and privilege. Leadership
may consist of one individual or a small core of leaders.

Deception: Recruiting and fundraising with hidden objectives and without
full disclosure of the use of mind controlling techniques; use of front
groups.

Exclusivity: Secretiveness or vagueness by followers regarding
activities and beliefs.

Alienation: Separation from family, friends and society, a change in
values and substitution of the cult as the new family; evidence of
subtle or abrupt personality changes.

Exploitation: Can be financial, physical, or psychological; pressure to
give money, to spend a great deal on courses or give excessively to
special projects, or to engage in inappropriate sexual activities, even
child abuse.

Totalitarian Worldview (we/they syndrome): Effecting dependence,
promoting goals of the group over the individual and approving unethical
behavior while claiming goodness.

http://www.infoman.demon.co.uk/definit.html

Every cult can be defined as a group having all of the following 5
characteristics:

     1.  It uses psychological coercion to recruit, indoctrinate and
retain its members

     2.  It forms an elitist totalitarian society

     3.  Its founder leader is self-appointed, dogmatic, messianic, not
          accountable and has charisma

     4.  It believes 'the end justifies the means' in order to solicit
funds recruit people

     5.  Its wealth does not benefit its members or society

From AFF, adapted for ABC:

How to Recognize a Cult

The group focuses on a living leader who gets members'
zealous, unquestioning commitment

Recruiting new members is very important to the group

Making money is very important to the group

Mind-numbing techniques (including meditation, chanting,
denunciation sessions, debilitating work routines) are used

Questioning, doubt, and dissent are discouraged, even punished

Members are controlled through guilt

Members are told how to think, act or feel (what to wear,
how to discipline children; who to befriend, date, marry, or
work for)

Members cut ties with family or friends

Members give up personal goals and activities they once cared about

The group claims special or exalted status (The leader is
seen as divine or "chosen"; the group or leader has a
special mission)

The group has a polarized mentality (us vs. them)

The group's leader is not accountable to any authorities (as
are mainstream military and religious leaders)

Members are encouraged or required to live or socialize
only with other group members

Members are expected to devote inordinate amounts of
time to the group