The term “cult” refers most often to a group of people with usually atypical beliefs living in relative isolation from the world. They tend to centralize around one charismatic person—the cult leader—who orders the beliefs, behaviors, and customs of all the other members. Many cults stand in as de facto new religions for their followers, but some are irreligious in nature.
The word “cult” descends from the Latin “cultus,” an ancient word encompassing the concepts of adoration, education, and cultivation. At first, it became a catch-all term for groups devoted to a specific subject. This could be something philosophical and religious or more mundane and material. By the nineteenth century, it evolved to mean an unorthodox group of zealous and eccentric believers.
Still, the definition of “cult” remains somewhat expansive. While it’s synonymous with these sorts of often destructive movements and bizarre forms of belief, it can also refer to an ordinary group of people.
Each cult has its own distinctive focus, but almost all of these groups share at least some elements in common, such as:
Authoritarian control: Cultism hinges on encouraging maximum dependency. People in the cult must feel incapable of living an individual life outside the norms of the group. These beliefs often go hand in hand with a worshipful attitude toward the group’s authoritarian leader.
Extremist beliefs: Cult members hold to very dogmatic and extreme beliefs. They also are unable to question these belief systems without fear of reprisal or punishment from the leader or other group members.
Isolation from society: As soon as new members join a cult, other adherents work hard to isolate them from family members and friends. This helps fulfill the mind control aspirations of the leader. It also creates a hive mind of sorts between the new person and the other members.
Veneration of a single individual: Charismatic leaders are often at the center of most cults.
There are many different types of cults focusing on different end goals or beliefs. Here are just a few general groupings:
1. Doomsday cults: Certain cults come together to prepare for the allegedly imminent end of the world.
2. Political cults: Political groups on both the left and right can morph into cults.
3. Religious cults: Spiritual beliefs serve as the bedrock for many cults. Some cults are offshoots of mainline religions while others offer brand-new dogmas and theology.
4. Sex cults: All types of cults might have a component of sexual abuse, but some focus on sex as one of their primary functions.