URI http://geocities.datacellar.net/tokyo/1236/falsesham1.html
It is important to recognize the characteristics of false schools, mind control cults and other forms of sham religion when you encounter them, so that you can protect yourself from their influence and hopefully minimize their influence on others. The presence of several of these characteristics are symptoms of brainwashing and thought control. Susceptibility to such cults is increased by the presence in a person of any of the characteristic errors on the way.
Leader a Self-Proclaimed Higher Being
Usually characterized by a leader or teacher who claims divinity, to be the Christ, a prophet, a man number 4 or higher (such as man 7.2 or man 8.3), or to have a special mission or task given or delegated by God or higher forces.
Devotion to Strict Centralized Hierarchy
The leader or founders (usually still alive), or their minions, demand absolute and unquestioning obedience and are the self-defined sole judges of the members' faith, status, and commitment. Criticism and disagreement are not allowed.
Vague about Group Aims to Outsiders
Established members are often guarded, vague, deceptive, or secretive about beliefs, goals, aims, demands, and activities until the recruit, prospective student, or new student is `hooked'.
Cut Off from other Traditions
Often encourages exclusivity and isolation using such excuses or reasons as that all and everything outside the group is totally evil, satanic, or asleep.
Controls Communication and Peer Relationships
Meaningful communication with family and friends outside, or peers within, the group is often discouraged or sharply curtailed and the group becomes the convert's or student's `family'. Usually every attempt is made to blur or eliminate the convert's or student's memories and habits of their former way of life and personal history.
Uses Brainwashing (Thought Control)
Employ systematic brainwashing (thought reform) techniques designed to effect the destruction of the sense of self and ensure dependence on the cult.
Group over Self
Indoctrinated members put goals and aims of the group ahead of individual concerns, interests, family, education plans, career, health, and well-being.
Group Hypnosis
Members may be maintained in a state of heightened suggestibility through lack of sleep, engineered diet, intense spiritual exercises, physical work, constant indoctrination, controlled group experiences, planned spontaneity, and manipulated encounters which seem to be spiritual.
Evokes Guilt and Humiliation
Members may display symptoms of extreme tension and stress, fear, guilt, lack of humour, and diminished communication skills, critical judgement, judgement and logical skills, and reality testing.
Preoccupation with Group
Members are preoccupied with fund-raising to support the group, earning money for `donations' and `special donations', recruiting new members, and group activities.
Requires Large Quantities of Money
Some groups exploit the members' finances.
Requires Large Quantities of Free Labour
Exploits members through unpaid unemployment and poor working conditions.