Episode 6: What makes a cult a cult?

Are cults simply harmless fringe groups with unusual ideas, or something more? Are they always religious? Are they always harmful? Who gets to decide if the word cult is applied to a group, and what if people disagree? Are there some objective measures we can use to define cults? Today Lindy, Liz and Caz talk about some of the different ways cults are defined, drawing on common definitions and exploring some leading international experts’ understandings of what makes a group culty.  Show Notes: Recovery from Cults - by Michael LangoneWikipedia page - definition of cultBritannica dictionary - definition of cultJanya Lalich - What Makes a Cult a Cult?Steve Hassan article - Combatting Cult Mind Control, the BITE Model, and the Continuum InfluenceDr Norris Report - Gloriavale Employment CourtChecklist of Cult Indicators - compiled by Michael LangoneOlive Leaf Network - High Demand Hand