Cult Leaders and Cult Behavior

 

What is a cult leader, and what is cult-like behavior?

Generally speaking, it is when a charismatic figurehead or dictator maintains control over a group of people according to a set of rules either determined by him/her, or strictly adheres to, and enforces a set of rules determined by another authority. These protocols can take the form of a religious, political, or other belief structure.

Most charismatic figures are narcissists, which helps create the right conditions for cult leadership to develop. The beginning stage is narcissism, which in a more extreme form may morph into the person becoming a cult leader.

A cult leaders’ charisma also helps the individual set up a power imbalance between themselves and their followers that is necessary for the leader to be able to ‘offer’ something of ‘value’ to their followers in exchange for their ‘devotion’.

For example, cult leaders often make inviting promises. These may take the form of altering or converting their country, or even the entire world for the better, improving or altering the person themselves, confer immense wealth, or bestow great beauty.

Rarely are these promises fulfilled, so it is important to understand that people realize how easily they can be taken in by these conmen or women before giving themselves over. Importantly, also note that cult leaders pander to people who feel they lack something (perhaps it is an unconscious need), and are prepared to modify or relinquish their own sanity, or belief structure to obtain it.

Janja Lalich, a cult researcher, and professor emerita of sociology at California State University, Chico, offers this in Live Science on the formation of a cult leader: 

“[Each leader] has been given this special status by the people who are in awe of him. Charismatic leaders tend to be intuitive. They’re able to read people. They thrive on chaos. They’ll create crisis situations. When they walk in the room, you never know if they’re going to be good and kind-hearted or be mean and call someone out or create some kind of dangerous situation.”

By design, this unpredictable nature and charisma allows cult leaders to be in control.

“In most cases there is going to be some kind of indoctrination that teaches the followers that they have to have total regard for the leader,” Lalich said.

“They may be required to dress a certain way, they may be required to speak a certain way, and they may be isolated from former friends and family because the leader is going to say they’re going to get in your way on your path to salvation.”

If we use the word ‘cult’ in its widest sense to encompass a style or direction of thinking that enables an organization to function as intended, all organizations, including companies, governments, charities, and most other institutions will fit into this bracket.

Often we hear of a person who is about to be employed must fit into an existing business ‘culture’. This perhaps, is a necessary feature of the work environment, but it is still important to recognize it for what it is.

A related point to bear in mind here is that narcissists often make good business leaders. However, business leaders usually do not become cult leaders, because they focus their energies on their businesses instead.

Sometimes, cult leaders can be ‘manufactured’ according to the needs of a community. For example, an article on Wikipedia has this to say about Pol Pot, the Cambodian revolutionary:

“During its first three years in power, the Khmer Rouge concealed Pol Pot’s name and refused to instill a cult of personality around him. Worsening relations with Vietnam forced the Khmer Rouge to instill a cult of personality around Pol Pot so he could be portrayed as a wartime leader who the people could rally around.”

Some well-known cult leaders include Charles Manson, David Koresh, Jim Jones, Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh. Many other despots also pepper the political spectrum.

Lastly, others surrounding the cult leader may see the possibility of joining the gravy train for their own ends. These hangers-on often wish to gain power in their own right, or see lucrative financial rewards if they cooperate by aiding the cult leader. Colloquially, these are often termed as ‘yes-men’.

Below are a variety of Videos that cater for all tastes.

 

Why do people join cults?

 

Ten things a narcissist might say:

 

Eight things narcissists are afraid of:

 

Political cults: How they work:

 

The four types of narcissism you need to know:

 

How to spot the difference between a narcissist, psychopath, or sociopath?

 

The psychology of narcissism:

 

Cult behavior: An analysis:

 

Manufacturing Consent: Noam Chomsky:

 

Documentary on the reign of Pol Pot: