"How can you tell if the organization someone you know has joined is a cult?"

The second set of criteria has to do with defining other common elements of mind control systems, as defined by Robert Jay Lifton’s eight point model of thought reform. Please see "Robert Jay Lifton’s Eight Point Model of Thought Reform" also at http://www.factnet.org/rancho1.htm. If most points in this model are being used in a cultic organization, it is most likely a dangerous and destructive cult.

The third set of criteria have to do with defining common elements of destructive and dangerous cults. The following section will help clarify what some of those specific elements and criteria are.

Common Properties of Potentially Destructive and Dangerous Cults

The cult is authoritarian in its power structure. The leader is regarded as the supreme authority. He or she may delegate certain power to a few subordinates for the purpose of seeing that members adhere to the leader’s wishes and roles. There is no appeal outside of his or her system to greater systems of justice. For example, if a school teacher
feels unjustly treated by a principal, appeals can be made. In a cult, the leader claims to have the only and final ruling on all matters.

The cult’s leaders tend to be charismatic, determined, and
domineering. They persuade followers to drop their families, jobs, careers, and friends to follow them. They (not the individual) then take over control of their followers’ possessions, money, lives.

The cult’s leaders are self-appointed, messianic persons who claim to have a special mission in life. For example, the flying saucer cult leaders claim that people from outer space have commissioned them to lead people to special places to await a space ship.

The cult’s leaders center the veneration of members upon themselves. Priests, rabbis, ministers, democratic leaders, and leaders of genuinely altruistic movements keep the veneration of adherents focused on God, abstract principles, and group purposes. Cult leaders, in contrast, keep the focus of love, devotion, and allegiance on themselves.

The cult tends to be totalitarian in its control of the behavior of its members. Cults are likely to dictate in great detail what members wear, eat, when and where they work, sleep, and bathe-as well as what to believe, think, and say.

The cult tends to have a double set of ethics. Members are urged to be open and honest within the group, and confess all to the leaders. On the other hand, they are encouraged to deceive and manipulate outsiders or nonmembers. Established religions teach members to be honest and truthful to all, and to abide by one set of ethics.

The cult has basically only two purposes, recruiting new members and fund-raising. Established religions and altruistic movements may also recruit and raise funds. However, their sole purpose is not to grow larger; such groups have the goals to better the lives of their members
and mankind in general. The cults may claim to make social
contributions, but in actuality these remain mere claims, or gestures. Their focus is always dominated by recruiting new members and fund-raising.

The cult appears to be innovative and exclusive. The leader claims to be breaking with tradition, offering something novel, and instituting the only viable system for change that will solve life’s problems or the world’s ills. While claiming this, the cult then surreptitiously uses systems of psychological coercion on its members to inhibit their
ability to examine the actual validity of the claims of the leader and the cult.

There are actually a lot of ways to figure out whether an organization is a cult. I found this article which helped jog my memory on the subject:

Warning signs:

Questions : A "cult" does NOT like people asking questions. This is generally because they are concerned that people may find out that they are being deceived in some way. They also prefer people to just sit back and "follow orders". Their other concern is that by being asked questions people may find out how little they really know.

Mind Control :A "cult" does NOT want people knowing about such things as "psychic protection" and/or the possibility of mind control. They will often suggest that psychic attack, and mind control, either don't exist or if they do that they are "nothing to worry about". People knowing about such things make life much more difficult for cults.

Empowerment :A "cult" does NOT want it's members gaining power. They want people to be more likely to believe that their group can "do it for them". This, of course, is untrue. Spiritual growth comes from our own doing. People may suggest approaches we might consider and/or help us on our journey but at the end of the day the following is a reasonable motto : "If it's going to be then it's up to me."

Ceremonies :A "cult" will often place a lot of importance on ceremonies/rituals. This has the effect of making people feel that they are "achieving something". Often however they are just going "through the motions" and at the end of the day little of substance has been achieved.

Secrecy :A "cult" will often pretend that it has some sort of "secret" knowledge or are part of a "Mystery school" etc. This appeals to the need in some people to be "chosen", "important" etc. Often this "secret" knowledge can be obtained in a book costing as little as $10.00. Naturally then they don't want their followers reading books !

Cost :A "cult" will often exist to get money from people. I have seen one day seminars advertised by genuine people for between Aus $50.00 to Aus $500.00 a day. The difference being due to difference in worth of the subject matter, the presenter, the venue etc. Be careful if activities etc. are at the high end of this scale or are even more expensive.

Classes/activities : A "cult" will want it's followers/potential followers to be as "open" to their instructions as possible. Long fasting, taking drugs, and drinking (before activities) are all designed to reduce one's defences on physical, mental, and psychic levels etc.

Isolation :A "cult" does not like outside influences (people) undoing their programming. So will try and physically separate followers/potential followers from others, for a short/or prolonged period. Be particularly concerned if someone suggests you go somewhere without saying where you are going !

Reading : A "cult" does NOT want it's followers reading other people's opinions. They prefer people to only believe what they are teaching. This greatly assists brainwashing.

Appeal to authority : A "cult" will usually pretend it and/or it's leader is "special". Beware of leaders who say they have messages from Jesus Christ, Moses etc. Be even more careful if they say that they are Jesus Christ, Moses etc !

A variation on this is where someone says that they are communicating with an "advanced", "ascended", etc. spirit guide. IF someone is communicating with an advanced being then you will NOT need to be told this. You will be able to tell from the information given. The "message" is the important thing. Not the messenger.

A genuine spiritual leader should be more knowledgeable , less proud , less egotistical , less selfish and less in need of being the centre of attention, than most people.

Recruitment : A "cult" will often want "members". Beware of groups where recruitment seems to be a main activity, or focus. In a positive group people should be attracted by the work/achievements/ideals of the group. There should be no need for overt encouragement, or persuasion.

Doomsday cults : These particular groups are perhaps the best example of why people should be careful that they don't get involved in a cult. Some of these groups have the idea of mass suicide, to supposedly help some sort of an "ascension". We will all physically die sooner or later. There is no merit in individually, or collectively, helping this along.

Walls/fences : Apart from any mental/emotional walls/fences that cults put around their followers be sure to watch out for any "physical" walls/fences ! The excuse for such behaviour is often that the leaders want to "protect" themselves and/or their followers from outside people. Be very very careful. Such things can quickly be used to stop members from getting away. Assuming that that wasn't the original idea.

Finally, perhaps the following comments I got from someone regarding this page are worth considering : "I think the single most important thing one can do to avoid falling into a cult is to be aware that you should never, ever, surrender your critical thinking.  Most people who join cults need quick simple answers to the world, because it's easier.  For instance, None of the churches have any answers regarding cloning, the Internet, etc.  Not even the lawyers can give us too much guidance on these things!  How much easier to have someone tell you that it's all evil, and the reason the world is a mess is because of the devil.  Join with us, and we will make sure you are part of the chosen few, and be saved."

Many people join cults when their real intention is to gain spiritual perspectives with a group of like minded people. As suggested in the last paragraph. The search for "quick answers" can sometimes be unwise. True spiritual growth in my opinion involves a lot of thinking, questioning, praying and time.

im thinking it could be things like this

all they want to do is spend time with the new "cult" ignore friends and family members not talk to them anymore

 give all their money and free time this these people "cult"

Chanting and Singing

dresses like everyone else in the cult.

doe snot do  htings they did before  movies, talking to friends, ( i would not count stopped drinking, smoking although it could be possible)

also here is a link that might help

  http://www.sspx-cult.com/CultCharacteristics.htm