Results: Cults
Published on 10/11/2020
A cult defined: "In modern English, a cult is a social group that is defined by its unusual religious, spiritual, or philosophical beliefs or its common interest in a particular personality, object or goals.
QUESTIONS
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Comments
1.
1.
Cult leaders all tend to have some basic characteristics in common regardless of the kind of cult they establish or cultivate. Which of these characterizations are you familiar with? Very charismatic...a compelling charm that draws people
65%
1405 votes
Highly intuitive...great at reading people [both strengths and vulnerabilities]
36%
782 votes
Narcissistic...very self-absorbed; the world revolves around them
60%
1308 votes
Grandiosity...inflated sense of own abilities
44%
947 votes
Demand extreme loyalty from followers, often isolating them from family/friends
53%
1151 votes
Erratic behavior...loves to use chaos in order to keep followers guessing
39%
835 votes
Authoritarian...absolute obedience to the leader's rules/norms/laws
50%
1084 votes
Prohibits criticism or skepticism both inside and outside the group
38%
828 votes
Elitism...sense of entitlement for the leader only
38%
816 votes
Financial secrecy...lack of any transparency into the money
36%
779 votes
Boastful...of accomplishments, talents, intellect
37%
793 votes
Micromanage...excessively controlling
39%
853 votes
Vilification...defamation of former members
30%
652 votes
Lack of empathy... sociopathic tendencies
43%
924 votes
Sexual prowess/exploits...belief in their sexual desirability
42%
900 votes
2.
2.
On the flip side, we often wonder how anyone could become entangled with a cult. However, often the "marks" do not even realize that they have adopted cultish tendencies, beliefs, or behaviors because theirs is a more subtle and prolonged indoctrination. They become "brainwashed" in the norms and views of the cult. Cult members also have certain basic characteristics in common regardless of the kind of cult they join. And once a part of a cult, it is extremely hard to break away from the cult. Which of these characterizations are you familiar with? Gullible...easily persuaded by lies/fabrications/obscure interpretations
56%
1218 votes
Naive ...little world experience or good judgment
56%
1210 votes
Loneliness...may be orphaned, fostered, exiled from family/friends
56%
1210 votes
Timid/meek...lack a sense of their own abilities
41%
897 votes
Willing to pledge complete loyalty even if goes against their own self interest
39%
844 votes
Nervous or anxious...always on alert
31%
668 votes
Follower...willing to abide by rules of the leader
54%
1168 votes
Lack of critical thinking...cannot imagine criticism/skepticism of leader
40%
854 votes
Self effacing...willing to be a wallflower
30%
652 votes
Groupthink...adoption of group ideology
34%
742 votes
Sexual...may believe leader highly desirable
29%
621 votes
Fear...of abandonment/exile by group
41%
891 votes
Forfeiture of normal human behaviors...empathy, compassion
31%
660 votes
3.
3.
Do you know of any one that has become embroiled/entangled in a cult? Yes
13%
273 votes
No
75%
1616 votes
Maybe
13%
273 votes
4.
4.
Are you personally aware of any cult leaders? Yes
18%
398 votes
No
72%
1556 votes
Maybe
10%
208 votes
COMMENTS