Academic & Non-Religious Cult Groups

A non-religious cult refers to a group that is not based on a religious belief system, but still exhibits some of the characteristics of a religious cult.

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Such groups might have a strong ideological or philosophical belief system, a charismatic cult leader who exerts undue influence over the group's members, and a high degree of control over their members' behavior, thoughts, and emotions.

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Examples of non-religious cults might include:

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• Political extremist groups

• Self-help or personal development groups

• Certain types of therapy or self-improvement programs

• Academic groups that rely on coercive dynamics

• Therapy Cults

 

Any group that seeks to exert undue control over its members, suppress dissenting viewpoints, or engage in unethical or illegal behavior should be viewed with caution and skepticism.

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Self-Help Cults

A self-help cult is a group or organization that purports to offer personal growth, self-improvement, or spiritual enlightenment through a specific set of teachings or practices.

These groups often use manipulative or coercive tactics to maintain control over their members and keep them involved in the group.

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Self-help cults may present themselves as legitimate self-help or personal development programs, but they typically exhibit several characteristics of cults (as listed in the section above).

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Self-help cults can be found in a variety of contexts, including spiritual or new age groups, multi-level marketing schemes, and other forms of self-help or personal development programs.

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While not all self-help groups are necessarily cults, it's important to be aware of the signs of cult-like behavior.

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It's always worth exercising caution when considering joining any group that makes extraordinary promises or demands a high level of commitment.

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Academic Cults

An academic cult is a group or organization that centers around a particular academic discipline, theory, or methodology and exhibits cult-like characteristics.

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In academic cults, the group's ideology or belief system is presented as the only legitimate way of understanding a particular subject, and members are expected to conform to the group's beliefs and practices without question.

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Academic cults may operate within universities or academic institutions, or they may be independent groups of scholars or practitioners who share a common ideology or approach to their field of study.

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Academic cults may also exhibit other cult-like behaviors, such as the use of jargon or specialized terminology that is inaccessible to outsiders, or the use of indoctrination techniques to reinforce the group's beliefs and practices.

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It's important to note that not all academic groups or disciplines are necessarily cults, and many legitimate academic communities can be highly effective in advancing knowledge and understanding in their fields.

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If you find yourself questioning whether an academic group is safe, caution and critical thinking are needed. Awareness of cult-like behavior and the ability to withstand demands for conformity or obedience are vital.

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Therapy Cults

A therapy cult is a group or organization that presents itself as a legitimate form of therapy or personal growth program, but in reality, uses manipulative or coercive tactics to control its members and promote the beliefs and practices of the group.

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Therapy cults often operate under the guise of providing psychological or emotional support to individuals who are struggling with personal issues, such as addiction, trauma, or mental health disorders.

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Therapy cults may use a variety of techniques to maintain control over their members, including hypnosis, guided meditation, or other forms of mind control.

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They may also use tactics such as group confession, shaming, or public humiliation to enforce conformity and obedience.

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It's important to note that not all therapy groups are necessarily cults, and that many legitimate forms of therapy can be highly effective in helping individuals overcome personal challenges.

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Political Extremism Groups

For more info on political extremism and how the groups involved can utilize coercive control, check out our page on Political Coercion.

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Family Cults

It's possible for family members to exhibit cult-like behaviors as well. Learn more about that on our page covering Family Coercion.