In their book, How Wide the Divide, A Mormon & an Evangelical in Conversation, Steven Robinson and Craig Blomberg make the following statement,
“Many of these characteristics [of what define a ‘cult’] no longer apply to Mormonism” (p. 193)
“No longer apply”, suggests that they once did apply. Exactly what “cult-like” characteristics did at one time apply in the past that “no longer apply” now? This is the question I intend to address in this article.
The reasoning for the statement is based on a broad definition of “cult” given by Walter Martin.
“In his book The New Cults, Walter Martin defines a cult as ‘a group, religious in nature, which surrounds a leader, or a group which either denies or misinterprets essential biblical doctrines.’” (LetUsReason.org, Eight Marks of Organized Heresy Which Make a CULT)
“Unless the term ‘cult’ is to be so broad as to be meaningless (that is, equivalent to anything that is not Evangelical—including most Catholicism, Eastern Orthodoxy and liberal Protestantism, not to mention entirely separate world religions like Hinduism, Buddhism or Islam), then it should be reserved for the kind of small, bizarre fringe groups sociologists more technically label as cultic (such as those led to their deaths by Jim Jones or David Koresh).” (How Wide the Divide, p. 193)
I am less interested in a definition of cult as anything that disagrees with someone’s definition of Christian teachings from the Bible, and am more concerned with the very real danger of finding myself aligned with something legitimately insidious. After all, the victims caught in the Jim Jones or David Koresh traps were, like me, innocent sincere seekers of truth. How does one remain open to truth (as scripture tells us, “like a child”), without becoming vulnerable and susceptible to the evils of someone or some institution with an agenda?
To address this I would rather trust a less biased source for information on how real cults work.
International Cultic Studies Association
“Founded in 1979, the International Cultic Studies Association (ICSA) is a global network of people concerned about psychological manipulation and abuse in cultic or high-demand groups, alternative movements, and other environments. ICSA is tax-exempt, supports civil liberties, and is not affiliated with any religious or commercial organizations.”
ICSA has developed a list of characteristics associated with cultic groups that can be used as a tool to evaluate an organization against a standard of what can be considered a cult.
“Concerted efforts at influence and control lie at the core of cultic groups, programs, and relationships. Many members, former members, and supporters of cults are not fully aware of the extent to which members may have been manipulated, exploited, even abused. The following list of social-structural, social-psychological, and interpersonal behavioral patterns commonly found in cultic environments may be helpful in assessing a particular group or relationship.
Compare these patterns to the situation you were in (or in which you, a family member, or friend is currently involved). This list may help you determine whether there is cause for concern. Bear in mind that this list is not meant to be a “cult scale” or a definitive checklist to determine whether a specific group is a cult. This is not so much a diagnostic instrument as it is an analytical tool.” (Michael D. Langone, ICSA Today, Vol. 6, No. 3, 2015, 10.)
Characteristics Associated with Cultic Groups Compared with Early Mormon Church
Below is the ICSA list of Characteristics Associated with Cultic Groups along side comparative notes about the Mormon* Church at the time of Joseph Smith. Nothing exhaustive is attempted here. This is a list of observations that come to mind to demonstrate cult/non-cult like behavior of the church at the time of Joseph Smith.
No attempt has been made here to compare cult-like characteristics and patterns to modern-day Mormon or LDS churches.
[OK, here is where I admit I’m too lazy to figure out how to do a table along with all the endnotes in WordPress, so to read the rest of this article you will need to view it in one of the two formats I link to below. Enjoy:]
Characteristics Associated with Cultic Groups in GoogleDocs format (with clickable links).
Or download as PDF document – Characteristics Associated with Cultic Groups.
* There are over 80 denominations claiming Joseph Smith as its founder. I use the term “Mormon” (instead of “LDS” or something else) to identify a common term by which most will recognize the original sect founded by Joseph Smith.