Leavingit, I've read the characteristics too. Depending on how I read them, some would even fit the US Armed Forces... even to the point of "communal living". But it is obvious that our military isn't a cult. NOW BEFORE ANYONE REACTS, read the rest.

The characteristics of cults are warning signs. Warning signs don't define a cult, they are things to watch for-the typical things that cults do that are most easily recognizable or most common to a large number of cults. Any one or two or even four of those characteristics could be used for positive or negative, depending on the group and situation. However, a cult uses these characteristics solely for personal gain or at the expense of the individual.

Does it matter how many characteristics of a cult a particular church has, or whether it is actually a cult or not, if those characteristics have a negative impact on a person or group of people's lives?