- All cults share some common characteristics, which separates them from other forms of mainstream religion. One of the main ones is the adherence to a leader who commands total commitment and or frowns upon questioning. In fact, cults are notorious for punishing those who express their doubts or dissent from the path marked by the leader. Such punishment can be obvious or it can involve being banned from certain activities. To be kept under control, cult members are discouraged from thinking by themselves or making their own decisions, even in aspects as simple as changing their jobs or moving to a new neighborhood. Mind-numbing techniques are common, as it is extreme secrecy. In general, cult members cut ties with their family members and friends and slowly distance themselves from society. In some cases, such as Peoples Temple and Raelism, sexual abuse or gratification among the cult leader and the female members become central as well.
- One of the most famous cults in America is the Unification Church, better known as "The Moonies." Founded by Sun Myung Moon, it sustains that members should abandon their jobs and families if necessary in order to serve the church. This has led to controversy and to cases of neglect and abandonment. Moon, who identifies himself as the "second coming of Christ," advocates active recruiting and arranged marriages as a way to unify and preserve the church.
- While most cults don't advocate violence, some may eventually turn violent against themselves if they feel their existence as a whole threatened. This was the case of the Branch Davidians, who, under the leadership of David Koresh, started a siege and refused to subdue to ATF and FBI authorities, eventually leading to the death of 75 cult members. Another example was Heaven's Gate, a small cult whose members committed suicide in 1997 because they believed they would be transported to another world and avoid being present on Earth during Armaggedon. Both cults are still alive thanks to believers who are distributing materials and maintaining websites to "spread the word." Cults like House of Yahweh and Concerned Christians also have the potential to be dangerous because of their beliefs that they are being persecuted by others and that the end of the world is coming.
- The definition of the word "cult" is somewhat controversial. In theory, cults are all religious groups that have no received official recognition as a religion. Still, many that have are still considered cults by some experts because their beliefs and techniques seem to indicate some potential for violence or extremism. The Hare Krishnas, for example, are considered a cult because of their recruiting techniques, which include denying members balanced food, their adherence to a code of conduct that emphasizes separation and techniques such as chanting and repetition, rather than spiritual growth. Similar aspects are seen in the Church of Scientology, The Family (or The Children of God) church and the Religion of the Light and Sound of God (or Eckankars).
- Not all cults focus exclusively on the adoration of a deity as their central cause. Certain cults work more towards personal improvement and obtaining power. This is the case of many new age groups and of larger groupings such as The Church of Scientology, created by author L. Ron Hubbard. Scientology, for example, focuses on the concepts of detoxification and auditing (emotions and the past) and on renouncing certain conventions, such as the use of psychiatry.
