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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
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
