International Journal of Coercion, Abuse, and Manipulation Volume 9 2026 58
Do Prior Religious Beliefs Play A Role in Cult Susceptibility?:
A Descriptive Study
Yasmin Ali Williams1 and Chitra Raghavan2
Abstract: This study aims to understand the role of prior religious beliefs to cult susceptibility—specifically, joining and
remaining in a cult. Former cult members (N=115) of a variety of groups were interviewed using a semi-structured interview
guide. Unexpectedly, 52 (45.2%) participants identified as second-generation adults (SGAs) or multi-generational adults
(MGAs) who were born into and/or raised in cultic groups and were omitted from analysis. Of the remaining 63 participants,
53 (84.1%) endorsed religious participation before they joined a cult. Additionally, of this 53, about half joined a cult that was
related to their religion of origin (Christianity) and typically joined four years younger and stayed five years longer than those
who joined a cult of a different religion. Women were more likely than men to explore and join cults with different beliefs
as their prior religion. These findings suggest there is a relationship between prior religious beliefs and cult affiliation that
warrants further exploration.
Keywords: cults, new religious movements, spiritual abuse, religious trauma, cult induction factors
1 Corresponding author. Email: Yasmin.m.ali97@gmail.com.
John Jay College of Criminal Justice
2 John Jay College of Criminal Justice
The past two decades have seen an increased recognition
of the proliferation of cults in North America and their
potential for abuse (Hexham &Poewe, 2003). While
the media has paid the most attention to large dramatic
acts of violence and destruction, such as the mass
suicide at Jonestown, Guyana, in 1978, the tragic siege
in Waco, Texas in 1993, or, more recently, NXIVM,
many cults operate under the radar of law enforcement,
while simultaneously engaging in abusive behavior
towards their members. Such cults are largely invisible,
in part because the tactics they use are difficult to detect
without careful attention.
According to the International Cultic Studies
Association (ICSA), a cult is defined as an ideological
organization consisting of charismatic relationships
that necessitate high levels of commitment and often
involves psychological manipulation and abuse
(ICSA, 2004). ICSA identifies 15 characteristics
consistent across cultic groups, including “zealous
and unquestioning commitment to its leader,” “a
polarized us-versus-them mentality,” the use of “mind-
altering practices,” and a primary preoccupation with
“bringing in new members” and “making money”
(Langone, 2015). These groups typically promote a
doctrine that strongly deviates from mainstream beliefs
(Holoyda et al., 2016) while simultaneously preaching
a message that resonates with individuals from different
backgrounds.
To gain new members, cult leaders employ a
plethora of manipulative strategies targeting
potential members who are most likely to join and
commit to cult ideals (Singer, 2003 Coates, 2011).
Although there is conflicting evidence in the current
literature, some research indicates that factors,
such as familial dysfunctional patterns (Almendros
et al., 2007), preexisting psychological difficulties
and maladjustment, and seekership (motivation to
join due to life dissatisfaction and difficulty coping
[Levine &Salter, 1976]), have been associated with
cult susceptibility. This study aims to analyze the
relationship between a little researched factor: prior
religious devotion and cult membership.
While little research exists on such a relationship, we
posit that prior religious exposure may increase one’s
vulnerability to cult recruitment through familiarity
with such structures. Because familiarity provides
a sense of safety and comfort, individuals may not
recognize warning signs of regulatory structures that
indicate abuse, increasing their susceptibility to cult
doi: 10.54208/1000/0009/004
Do Prior Religious Beliefs Play A Role in Cult Susceptibility?:
A Descriptive Study
Yasmin Ali Williams1 and Chitra Raghavan2
Abstract: This study aims to understand the role of prior religious beliefs to cult susceptibility—specifically, joining and
remaining in a cult. Former cult members (N=115) of a variety of groups were interviewed using a semi-structured interview
guide. Unexpectedly, 52 (45.2%) participants identified as second-generation adults (SGAs) or multi-generational adults
(MGAs) who were born into and/or raised in cultic groups and were omitted from analysis. Of the remaining 63 participants,
53 (84.1%) endorsed religious participation before they joined a cult. Additionally, of this 53, about half joined a cult that was
related to their religion of origin (Christianity) and typically joined four years younger and stayed five years longer than those
who joined a cult of a different religion. Women were more likely than men to explore and join cults with different beliefs
as their prior religion. These findings suggest there is a relationship between prior religious beliefs and cult affiliation that
warrants further exploration.
Keywords: cults, new religious movements, spiritual abuse, religious trauma, cult induction factors
1 Corresponding author. Email: Yasmin.m.ali97@gmail.com.
John Jay College of Criminal Justice
2 John Jay College of Criminal Justice
The past two decades have seen an increased recognition
of the proliferation of cults in North America and their
potential for abuse (Hexham &Poewe, 2003). While
the media has paid the most attention to large dramatic
acts of violence and destruction, such as the mass
suicide at Jonestown, Guyana, in 1978, the tragic siege
in Waco, Texas in 1993, or, more recently, NXIVM,
many cults operate under the radar of law enforcement,
while simultaneously engaging in abusive behavior
towards their members. Such cults are largely invisible,
in part because the tactics they use are difficult to detect
without careful attention.
According to the International Cultic Studies
Association (ICSA), a cult is defined as an ideological
organization consisting of charismatic relationships
that necessitate high levels of commitment and often
involves psychological manipulation and abuse
(ICSA, 2004). ICSA identifies 15 characteristics
consistent across cultic groups, including “zealous
and unquestioning commitment to its leader,” “a
polarized us-versus-them mentality,” the use of “mind-
altering practices,” and a primary preoccupation with
“bringing in new members” and “making money”
(Langone, 2015). These groups typically promote a
doctrine that strongly deviates from mainstream beliefs
(Holoyda et al., 2016) while simultaneously preaching
a message that resonates with individuals from different
backgrounds.
To gain new members, cult leaders employ a
plethora of manipulative strategies targeting
potential members who are most likely to join and
commit to cult ideals (Singer, 2003 Coates, 2011).
Although there is conflicting evidence in the current
literature, some research indicates that factors,
such as familial dysfunctional patterns (Almendros
et al., 2007), preexisting psychological difficulties
and maladjustment, and seekership (motivation to
join due to life dissatisfaction and difficulty coping
[Levine &Salter, 1976]), have been associated with
cult susceptibility. This study aims to analyze the
relationship between a little researched factor: prior
religious devotion and cult membership.
While little research exists on such a relationship, we
posit that prior religious exposure may increase one’s
vulnerability to cult recruitment through familiarity
with such structures. Because familiarity provides
a sense of safety and comfort, individuals may not
recognize warning signs of regulatory structures that
indicate abuse, increasing their susceptibility to cult
doi: 10.54208/1000/0009/004
