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

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Yasmin Ali Williams and Chitra Raghavan |Do Prior Religious Beliefs Play A Role in Cult Susceptibility
involvement. We first discuss common characteristics
of cults and cult types, then explore the parallels
between religions and cults, including structure and
practice. Finally, we discuss the primary research goals
of exploring susceptibility via religious familiarity.
Common Types and Characteristics of Cults
While cults are typically associated with religious beliefs,
they can be based on any subject matter, including
meditation, self-improvement techniques, politics,
psychology, outer-space phenomena, etc. (Singer,
1995). According to Margaret Singer (1995), there are at
least ten major types of cults in the United States alone:
Neo-Christian religious, Hindu and Eastern religious,
occult, witchcraft, satanist, spiritualist, Zen and other
Sino-Japanese philosophical- mystical orientation,
racial, flying saucer and other outer-space phenomena,
psychology or psychotherapeutic, political, and self-
help, self-improvement, and life-style systems.
While cultic groups vary enormously in size and
belief system, they typically share five common
characteristics.
1. The leader is central to the group’s mission and often
claims to be divinely appointed with strong ties to a
supernatural being (Singer, 2003). This self-appointed
leader is frequently charismatic and declares their
ideology, vision, and practices as law (Langone, 2015).
2. The leader, doctrine, or collective group cause
physical or emotional harm to members (Singer, 2003).
At first, the leader’s central message may appear divinely
inspired and appealing to newcomers, as it aims to
address and resolve their current issues or stressors.
These messages challenge the established social order
and call for action that is frequently harmful to the cult
member (Cowan &Bromley, 2015).
3. The presence of a consensual belief system (Holoyda
et al., 2016) rooted in the leader’s preaching and
practices. Members adhere to this belief system due
to the supposed divinity of the leader. They also share
a strong belief in the group’s uniqueness and divine
appointment (Levine, 1989).
4. Excessive requirements and expectations are required
of members. They are expected to devote a majority of
their time and effort to the group (Singer, 2003), which
in can include daily participation, communal living,
and/or significant monetary donations. This may lead
to financial or sexual exploitation, or the exploitation
of the member’s children (Stein, 2021).
5. A set of rules and regulations designed to control
behavior and govern aspects of the members’ everyday
life (Levine, 1989). The four main areas of control
are emotional and psychological control, thought
control, behavioral control, and relationship control
(Coates, 2012). In most groups, there is an explicit or
implicit expectation for members to isolate from the
outside world by ceasing all contact with nonmembers,
including friends and family (Singer, 2003).
Overlap Between Healthy Religion and Impressive
Cult Tactics
Religion can be defined as a dedication or submission
to the principles of particular beliefs, rituals, and
texts, which requires personal commitment and faith
(Schilerman, 2015). In both historical and cultural
contexts, religion is associated with bonding and
identification, and participation can be seen as an
achievement (Schilerman, 2015). While religions
differ in beliefs, function, and purpose, most tend to
communicate with a supernatural entity and/or create a
body of believers (Schilerman, 2015). Cultic groups are
centered around a charismatic and divinely appointed
leader who claims to communicate directly with a
supernatural being. In addition, both religions and cults
offer opportunities to create meaningful bonds and a
sense of community and purpose. Furthermore, both
sets of followers dedicate themselves to the concurrent
beliefs and practices of the group through commitment
and faith.
Cults and religions have structural parallels, yet they
have crucial differences. First, there are differences
in doctrine and central beliefs, as well as in the level
of transparency of their purpose and intent. Healthy
religions tend to fulfill the elements they offer whereas
cults usually have a hidden agenda and motives for
recruiting members (Rodríguez-Carballeira et al.,
2014). Second, in healthy religions members have
opportunities to challenge authority or doctrine or
use critical thinking cults promote blind loyalty and