A cult may be positive or negative, depending on its effect on its individual members. One goal of a negative or destructive cult is to try to make its members think in specific, distorted ways that prevent rational decision making.
Positive Cult
Negative Cult
separation from distractions
isolation from outside influences that might contradict teachings
liberates
enslaves; mental, emotional, physical and economic dependence
honest
dishonest and partial truths
spontaneous
contrived
self-discipline
manipulative, coercive, behavior control
instructs, educates and guides
abuses, shames, brainwashes
respect of personal boundaries
lack of physical privacy and personal boundaries
confession to identify areas for personal growth
confession as a means to remove any sense of mental privacy
functional thought
dysfunctional thought (all-or-nothing, black and white)
encourages the individual
discourages any independent thought
encourages questioning
discourages questions
group as source of mutual support
conformity with subservience to the group ("marching in step")
mentor or teacher who guides
charismatic leader who dictates
tolerant of others, open-minded
intolerant of anyone who thinks differently, alienated, close-minded
To read more or access our algorithms and calculators, please log in or register.
