Expanding on the comment I made on my previous post, I share some Google search excerpts I feel are relevant about the subject of cults, cult leaders, etc. There is obviously a great deal about this online which I find insightful in understanding the actual situation.
“What are the characteristics of a cult leader?
A cult leader is a person of tremendous charisma who makes followers feel loved and accepted. It's often suggested that cult leaders use brainwashing tactics to attract and keep followers. In many instances, cult members deeply identify and admire their leader.
What are the characteristics of a cult?
Specific factors in cult behavior are said to include manipulative and authoritarian mind control over members, communal and totalistic organization and aggressive proselytizing.
The group is focused on a living leader to whom members seem to display excessively zealous and unquestioning commitment. The group is preoccupied with bringing in new members. Questioning, doubt, and dissent are discouraged or even punished.
The group is led by one or a few individuals who are charismatic, determined, domineering. The leader(s) are self-appointed and claim to have a special mission in life....leaders answer to no higher authority, such as an oversight board.
Members show unusual or excessive devotion to some person, idea or thing.
Are Cult leaders narcissists?
They feel ultimately entitled to completely lie to you, to put on this good charming face to get you to believe what their selling....most cult leaders are narcissists and are 'bottomless pits of ego need'."
