You Don’t Have To Call It A Cult

Written By Shamalla James

What comes to mind when you think of the word cult?

Perhaps you think of historical figures such as Jim Jones or recent documentaries about groups led by charismatic and controlling leaders, Nature Boy ring a bell? When many people hear the word cult, they often imagine extreme situations involving manipulation, isolation, and unquestioning loyalty.

It can be difficult to understand how someone could leave behind family, friends, careers, or deeply held beliefs to follow a leader or remain committed to a group. People often wonder how individuals can be persuaded to change their appearance, behaviours, relationships, or lifestyles in ways that seem difficult to imagine from the outside.

These questions are understandable. However, they can sometimes lead us to overlook a more important question: what are the dynamics that allow high-control groups to influence people in the first place?

The reality is that most people who become involved in high-control groups are not unintelligent, weak, or naive. Many are seeking connection, belonging, purpose, certainty, community, or answers during a vulnerable period in their lives. The influence of these groups often develops gradually over time, making it difficult to recognize what is happening while you are experiencing it.

This is one reason why many people struggle to identify their own experiences. They may recognize that something felt harmful, controlling, or confusing, yet hesitate to use the word cult. In fact, you do not have to call it a cult to explore the impact it may have had on your life. Some people prefer to use the term high-control group instead of cult. Others may use the terms interchangeably. Regardless of the language used, many people wonder what these terms actually mean.

What is a High-Control Group?

A high-control group is a group, organization, or community that exerts significant influence over members' beliefs, behaviours, relationships, and decision-making. While these groups can vary widely in their beliefs and practices, they often encourage conformity and discourage questioning, dissent, or independent decision-making.

High-control groups can be religious, spiritual, political, self-help oriented, or organized around a particular leader or ideology. What distinguishes them is not necessarily what they believe, but how much control they exert over the lives of their members.

Potiential Signs of a High-Control Group

  • Questioning, doubt, or criticism is discouraged or punished

  • Leaders are viewed as having special authority or are not open to accountability

  • Members are encouraged to distrust outside information or perspectives

  • The group promotes an "us versus them" view of the world

  • Fear, guilt, shame, or social pressure are used to encourage compliance

  • Members are expected to place the group's needs above their own well-being

  • Personal decisions related to relationships, education, career, finances, or healthcare are heavily influenced by the group

  • Contact with former members is discouraged or prohibited

  • Leaving the group is associated with serious consequences, such as rejection, loss of community, spiritual punishment, or shunning

  • Members feel pressure to suppress aspects of their identity, values, or personal beliefs to remain accepted within the group

  • Rules and expectations extend into many areas of daily life

  • Individuals feel unable to openly express concerns, disagreement, or uncertainty without fear of consequences

    Final Thoughts

    For many people, determining whether a group is a cult can feel overwhelming.

    The good news is that you do not need to have a definitive answer in order to explore your experiences.

    Whether you describe your experience as involvement in a cult, a high-control group, a high-demand religion, spiritual abuse, or something else entirely, what matters is the impact it has had on your life.

    If you find yourself struggling with guilt, fear, shame, loss of identity, difficulty trusting yourself, or grief related to a religious or spiritual community, your experiences deserve attention and care.

    You do not need to prove that what happened was "bad enough" before seeking support. Curiosity about your experiences can be a meaningful first step toward understanding yourself and determining what comes next.

Shamalla James