by Gibran

Created on: February 03, 2007   Last Updated: April 26, 2007

In 1995, followers of a Japanese religion called Aum Shinrikyo released poison gas in the Tokyo subway. The attack left 12 dead and 75 critically ill. In 1997, 39 members of an American UFO group called Heaven's Gate committed mass suicide, believing they would be reincarnated as a higher life-form. In 1978, followers of the People's Temple gave cyanide poison to their own children, before taking it themselves. 914 people died that day, including 276 children. These horrific acts share a common trait, they were carried out by groups often called cults'.

Cults are potentially harmful for what they do rather than their beliefs. They are groups that use psychological manipulation to exert a high degree of control over members. Involvement in a cult may disrupt a member's education, career, finances, social life or family ties. Extreme cults are able to persuade members to cause harm or break the law. This article aims to raise awareness of these dangers. The warning signs' of cult activity are outlined, along with advice on how to help cult members and ex-members. The aim is not to cast judgement on particular groups, but to help readers make well-informed decisions for themselves.

Not all cults are religious groups, some promote political causes, pseudo-therapies or marketing schemes. No one joins a group thinking it's a cult. By the time they find out, it is often too late. To help you identify a potentially abusive group, the table below lists the main features of cults in contrast to mainstream groups that are less open to abuse. The difference is a matter of degree, and it is best to err on the side of caution. You may wish to make a copy of the list and pass it round to friends, or enlarge the page and pin it up as a poster. If a group clearly displays three or more cult features, it is advisable to give it a miss and tell others to do so. The biggest mistake anyone can make is thinking they're not vulnerable.

CULTS AND NON-CULT GROUPS: THE DIFFERENCE

CULTS:

a) Leaders demands unquestioning and unconditional obedience from members.
b) Leaders are not accountable to anyone else, their deliberations are secret.
c) The same leader has been running the group since it started, or leadership has
passed to family.
d) Members who leave are harassed, or emotionally blackmailed.
e) Members are kept from forming relationships outside the group.
f) Non-members are regarded as morally suspect.
g) Recruiting new members is a mandatory activity.
h) Members are required to spend most

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