Cultic Studies Review, Vol. 2, No. 2, 2003, Page 73
the right to declare Fatwas, he did not bring any new revelations. He did not declare himself
to be the Madhi, the ―guided one‖ who will be sent to re-establish justice on Earth (Nasr,
1993, 180). But alive or dead, his story has not ended, and the world‘s obsession with this
one individual could yet create a powerful new religious cult.
Terrorist Groups vs. Cultic Groups — Attributes
Attribute Terrorist Group Cultic Group
Evolved from a fringe or
minority political or
religious position.
X X
Military arm of a
political/religious
movement or faction—
purpose is violence.
X
Can depend upon moral,
financial, or logistical
support of ―fellow
travelers.‖
X
Divided into cells for
security.
X
Highly selective about
members.
X
Recruitment focus on
youth, disaffected.
X X
Higher authority
unquestioned.
Military
discipline.
X
Focused on a living leader
to whom members seem
to display excessively
zealous, unquestioning
commitment.
Inspiring leader
may exist.
X
Preoccupied with bringing
in new members.
Appropriate
soldiers or
operatives
selected.
X
Preoccupied with making
money.
X
Questioning, doubt, and
dissent are discouraged or
even punished.
X X
Mind-numbing techniques
(such as meditation,
chanting, speaking in
tongues, denunciation
sessions, and debilitating
work routines) are used to
suppress doubts about the
group and its leader(s).
X
the right to declare Fatwas, he did not bring any new revelations. He did not declare himself
to be the Madhi, the ―guided one‖ who will be sent to re-establish justice on Earth (Nasr,
1993, 180). But alive or dead, his story has not ended, and the world‘s obsession with this
one individual could yet create a powerful new religious cult.
Terrorist Groups vs. Cultic Groups — Attributes
Attribute Terrorist Group Cultic Group
Evolved from a fringe or
minority political or
religious position.
X X
Military arm of a
political/religious
movement or faction—
purpose is violence.
X
Can depend upon moral,
financial, or logistical
support of ―fellow
travelers.‖
X
Divided into cells for
security.
X
Highly selective about
members.
X
Recruitment focus on
youth, disaffected.
X X
Higher authority
unquestioned.
Military
discipline.
X
Focused on a living leader
to whom members seem
to display excessively
zealous, unquestioning
commitment.
Inspiring leader
may exist.
X
Preoccupied with bringing
in new members.
Appropriate
soldiers or
operatives
selected.
X
Preoccupied with making
money.
X
Questioning, doubt, and
dissent are discouraged or
even punished.
X X
Mind-numbing techniques
(such as meditation,
chanting, speaking in
tongues, denunciation
sessions, and debilitating
work routines) are used to
suppress doubts about the
group and its leader(s).
X
