Get Premium
Dark mode theme is available exclusively for premium users. Learn more about the benefits of subscribing.
No fees, cancel anytime.
Dark Mode 
No fees, cancel anytime 
then open in external browser
and click "Open in External Browser" 
30 Groups And Organizations That Walk Like A Cult, Talk Like A Cult, But Aren’t Considered One
Interview With Expert
A cult is an organized group with unusual, and often extreme, religious, spiritual, or philosophical beliefs and rituals. It is usually headed by a charismatic leader who tries to isolate its members from the rest of society and dominate them through psychological manipulation.
However, the exact definition can vary both in popular culture and academia. So, Reddit user Foreigndrunks wanted to learn more about how different people interpret them and asked everyone on the platform to share real-life examples that dodge the cult label but still reflect the vibe.
Continue scrolling to check out the answers and the chat we had with psychoanalyst Robin Stern, Ph.D.. You'll find it between the entries.
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
Child beauty pageants; the people who attend them and the parents who put their kids through them. An absolute shower of dirty filthy nonces whichever way you look at it.
SirWriteALot 9 months ago
How this does not trigger p**o-vibes with people is beyond me. Kids are not supposed to be looked at like that!
My O My 9 months ago
And kids are not supposed to look like that. Looking at the moms who "glam up" their 4yo to look "s**y"
Load More Replies... DowntownStevieB 9 months ago
And not only this, but the growing aggression around children's sports. Let them play and save your toxic parenting for other things.
Robin Stern, Ph.D., is a psychoanalyst, senior advisor to the director of the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence, and author of The Gaslight Effect: How to Spot and Survive the Hidden Manipulation Others Use to Control Your Life.
She told Bored Panda, "The main building blocks of a cult include a leader or central figure with narcissistic traits, who asserts authority by defining reality for the group.
"The cult's vision and belief system are enforced through strict rules that dictate how members must think and behave. Disagreement or dissent is actively discouraged, often through punishment or ostracism, creating an environment where questioning the leader or the group's ideology becomes taboo," the psychoanalyst explained.
RELATED:
#2
Jehovas witnesses. Officially it's a normal religion but in my opinion it's definitely a cult.
Firstname Lastname 9 months ago
Used to hide when I'd hear the doorbell ring because they had befriended my mother.
Cuppa tea? 9 months ago
IMHO difference between "normal" religion and cult is - when you stop attending normal church, nobody will harass you, follow you home, question why you left. In cult, it's not so easy to just walk away. Also, if oy start going to church, no one will force you to bring more people.
Holly Fraser 8 months ago
I heard one of the reasons JW get sent out and knock on doors isn't to get conversions. If they do, it's a bonus, but it's basically to give the members something to do and show them just how 'mean' the world is compared to how nice the church is. They set them up to be deliberatly annoying and then when people get annoyed and don't react well it reinforces the idea the JW are good and non-converts are bad. Simplified for the post but you get the idea
Billo66 8 months ago
I always considered myself to be a Christian but acknowledge that whether or not God or Gods exist is ultimately unknowable. So I guess that makes me Agnostic. I'm comfortable with that. See, I have Cancer so it's relevant to me right now so I have to just accept the fact that I will either be talking to Jesus or asleep. Either one is better than fighting this battle for 10 years now.
Load More Replies... #3
Scientology
Ace 9 months ago
Not sure this fits the criteria of "not normally considered a cult", does it?
RedHairedDragon 9 months ago
For tax purposes in Europe, they're a company. Courts have declined them religious exemption
LauraDragonWench 9 months ago
Unless you're living under a rock in the garden of a Scientology Center, everyone knows this is a cult. A federally protected one, at that. 🙄🤢🤬
However, the facade can be much more appealing. "Sometimes, from the outside, the performative happiness and unified front of a group can seem appealing to someone grappling with loneliness or discontent," Stern added.
When you're lost, it can seem like a beacon of hope. "People often join cults because they are vulnerable or seeking a sense of belonging and purpose, which cult leaders are all too happy to provide."
Stern said, "Those who struggle with boundaries or rely heavily on others to define what is 'right' may be particularly susceptible," as "individuals with a history of pathological accommodation—constantly sacrificing their needs to please others—can be drawn to the cult's promise of acceptance."
Fear of standing out or being different also makes people more likely to join and conform once they are inside, the psychoanalyst highlighted.
#4
Mormons.
I know a lot of religions can lean towards "culty". But, I work with quite a few Mormon and they all seem to give that cult vibe. From the stories of their missions to their special underwear... it just all screams "Cult".
WindySwede 9 months ago
And the shunning of ex members? (Mostley based on a few ex members, on youtube). And that's probably the least worrisome about this..
Otto Katz 9 months ago
To me, that is the definition of a cult. When the cult tells you you have to cut off even your own family if they leave the cult. Mormons, JW, Scientology, cult. RC, Episcopalian, Lutheran, not a cult.
Load More Replies... camomooey 9 months ago
I grew up Mormon, and I agree-very culty. I like to refer to myself as a recovering Mormon.
a person who likes books 9 months ago
HA I feel this I am a former Mormon myself and once you have left you can really see it
LauraDragonWench 9 months ago
Because we let that whole "freedom of religion" thing go to our heads. Same thing with the gun ownership b.s.
Load More Replies...
#5
Being forced to do the pledge of allegiance in schools
Jaya 9 months ago
As a Dutch person, it is soooooo weird to me that this actually happens. Absolutely insane, it is unimaginable to me. I mean we do also have to sing our anthem sometimes, which is weird as hell too (singing lots of lyrics that were only relevant to the conflicts back then, and have zero relevance to what life in the Netherlands is nowadays), but the pledge of allegiance is a whole step further.
Kat Alison 9 months ago
100%! And having to stand for the national anthem at every frigging sports event. The pledge is just creepy. The anthem is appropriate for some situations (like the Olympics) but it’s way overused.
K Barnes 9 months ago
This is such a great comment, I appreciate it and it made me think.
Load More Replies... 
DragonsFox 9 months ago
I’ve been in a couple of different high schools recently and the kids chose not to stand, so I think this is changing. (And I’m in a red state).
Rosecrucian Roeth 9 months ago
Soon you may have to do it to begin the working day...................only not just to the flag
Sue Mullen Andersen 8 months ago
I was taught this daily when I attended a private Christian school in the USA. I no longer did once I got to public school in grade 5. My children have never done this in school. I think it also depends on where you live in the USA.
#6
American evangelicals
WindySwede 9 months ago
"So, the earth is flat and all science are the devil in disguise, welcome to preschool younglings! "
Cuppa tea? 9 months ago
Their interpretation of Bible is like homeopathy - diluted gazillion times to the point it has nothing to do with the original Bible.
Scott Rackley 9 months ago
If their "rapture" ever truly did happen, there would be quite a few very present and very disappointed evangelicals. Mostly all of them.
Load More Replies...
Once somebody's in, the group will do everything to keep them. "Leaving a cult is challenging for several reasons. Members are often enmeshed in gaslighting dynamics, where the leader and others manipulate their perception of reality. This can lead to self-gaslighting, where individuals doubt their own judgment and truth," Stern said.
The psychoanalyst highlighted that since leaving also means giving up a sense of community and belonging, even the thought of it can feel profoundly isolating. "Many face internal doubts, wondering, What if I’m wrong? Confronting the truth about their involvement can bring overwhelming feelings of shame, making it even harder to admit they've been manipulated or seduced into a cult."
#7
Mom groups.
I’m a newish mom and I’ve been scared off. It’s a whole new layer of “pseudoscience” and isolation from differences of opinion.
AlithenewMC 9 months ago
I tried joining some mom groups (online and in person) with my first pregnancy in 2017...within 6 months I had quit them all. I still can't stand "mom talk" at gymnastics and swimming and things. Makes me want to scream.
Laura Gillette 9 months ago
Woah, I really think this depends on the mom group. I think this only applies to mom groups who all subscribe to like, homeopathy treatments are legit, and vaccines are implanting government tracking devices conspiracy theories. Some mom groups are actually just non-crazy moms, supporting each other.
Kat Alison 9 months ago
Parenthood in general is the worst mean-girl clique you’ll ever experience.
#8
Joel Osteen and his following.
Lavern Defazio 9 months ago
Why just him? The whole lot of the televangelists are false prophets.
cadena kuhn 8 months ago
I cannot believe hes still in business after the male pros titute thing
#9
Political parties.
Marianne 9 months ago
In America, yes. Here in Germany, I have the feeling that most people don't even like any of our parties.
Enuya 9 months ago
In Poland we have only two modes - either you hate all political parties equally, or you are blindly following one which (obviously) is flawless no matter what they say and do. Nothing in between. Makes talking with some people an extreme sport.
Load More Replies...
Even if someone does escape, it can take them a while to start appreciating their newfound freedom and rebuild a sense of identity.
According to a 2023 study, former cult members experience an "in-between" period after leaving and often find themselves in a confusing, chaotic state.
As they work to regain access to their own values and feelings while also forming new bonds with family and friends outside the cult, they often struggle to discuss their ordeal with those who haven’t experienced it themselves.
#10
Influencers
Ellinor 9 months ago
Truly think it depends. Influencer is a word that mean :to influence a large group of people. But if what you're trying to influence people to learn about social issues, showing how you can grow your own garden or teach people how to do maths ? There are all kinds of influencers and I think that as long as they are honest and well intended, then they are not bad people.
Julie S 9 months ago
We had disability influences come into the coffee shop I work in, obviously seeing how accessible it was for people in wheelchairs. So definitely good influencers.
Load More Replies... Hippopotamuses 9 months ago
I don't think there anything that could be interpreted as cultist about influencers. They'd probably like to think that they are. But in the overall scheme of things they're just not that important. I wouldn't want to be them, when the novelty wears off.
#11
Sororities and fraternities
G A 9 months ago
Are all the choices on here US things? I am conscious the US BPers get upset by criticism on here, but it does seem a bit US centric.
Joseph Miller 9 months ago
I wasn't in one, but they do help with connections in the business world. It seems like a fraternity brother in a hiring position will be much more likely to hire another fraternity brother.
Ellinor 9 months ago
So people are getting a job not because of their abilities and competences, but because they went to the same school as a random guy they don't know 5 years ago ? Sounds a bit morally wrong to me...
Load More Replies... 
Leg less In Minneapolis 9 months ago
I am a alumni member of large sorority, it was not cult like at all
#12
Glorification of national sports teams
Lavern Defazio 9 months ago
Multi million/ billion dollar tax breaks on stadiums given to billionaire team owners.
LauraDragonWench 9 months ago
Collegiate sports in general - it's disgusting how much bad and criminal behavior is swept under the rug just to keep a talented athlete from "ruining his life" (ie taking accountability).
Load More Replies... Kat Alison 9 months ago
So much this. It takes something that started as a *game*….that people could do for *fun*…and makes it into a matter of life and death.
Kabuki Kitsune 9 months ago
This post reads like AI wrote it... or that ever popular meme of "Hello fellow kids".
BeesEelsAndPups 9 months ago
Friendly national competition is way better than war. Let us get out our frustrations on the pitch, rather than in pitched battle. It's fun
Load More Replies..."Cult dynamics often exploit fundamental human needs for connection, purpose, and identity," Robin Stern added. "Recognizing these vulnerabilities and fostering critical thinking, emotional intelligence, giving yourself permission to feel and to honor those feelings, and setting strong boundaries can help people resist such manipulation.
"Support networks and professional help are critical for those seeking to leave, as the process requires both emotional and practical resources to rebuild their lives outside the cult," she said.
#13
Cheerleading
My daughter did competition for a few years
It definitely felt like a cult with the participation parts that parents play.
#14
The NRA. As a gun owner, I can't stand being lumped in with them. They don't share my politics at all. But many states require you to be a member in order to get your LTC. Total b******t.
superfluous 9 months ago
B******t just like this post. I could not find one state that requires membership in the NRA to get an LTC. Anyone?
Danger Muppet 9 months ago (edited)
It could be a certified safety training course thing. Maybe the only place for the OP to get training was through them and made them join. That smells like the NRA to me.
Load More Replies...
David 9 months ago
There are ZERO states in the USA that require membership in the NRA to get a License to Carry. In every state that requires permits for carrying a gun, the NRA is registered with the state to provide the certification that one has completed gun safety, and the NRA trains more people than any other org. But they dont even require membership to take their courses, just a 30% discount (50% if you are a woman)
#15
Very controversial but tesla
Annik Perrot 9 months ago
Recently, on a French highway, we were overtaken by à car that had à big "Fûck Tesla" sticker on the back. We were envious.
Kat Alison 9 months ago
Not as controversial as it was….Teslas are getting torched all over the world.
#16
Toxic positivity. Mental health initiatives in the workplace. These are not labeled cults, but they are totally cultish. Edit: they usually come down to nothing more than emails exhorting you to take care of yourself and links to appropriate websites.
WindySwede 9 months ago (edited)
The one of few times this meeting should [not] have been an email..
#17
Essential oils
The people who use them and the people who sell them…..
Nea 9 months ago
I use essential oils (sage, rose mostly) for diffusing aroma. Am I part of a cult? 🙄
SkyyCaramba 9 months ago
I think they're talking abt people whou think it heals literally everything. but same, I love the smell of some oils, especially pepperment
Load More Replies...
LauraDragonWench 9 months ago
I love essential oils, but even I'm weirded out by the culture that's grown up around them and their use.
CariBear 9 months ago
I personally love essential oils; for aromatherapy and moisturizers and some for internal/digestive use. But I would never advocate that essential oils are a cure-all, and if/when needed, pharmaceutical medicines and doctors should be used! Those that believe otherwise are coo-coo for coco-puffs
Ellinor 9 months ago
I know it's placebo but when I have a slight tummy ache I put a drop of lavender and it works for me.
My O My 9 months ago
You put a drop of lavender where? And, not all is placebo. Just, you know, oils don't heal all and everything either
Load More Replies... #18
The Wellness Community
Analyn Lahr 9 months ago
It depends, there are subcategories. And I don't think that's the right picture. Pretty sure that's a singing bowl, not a motar and pestle.
#19
Anyone invested in crypto. That’s all my husband talks about plus his friends
Lavern Defazio 9 months ago
Some people have religion others have crypto. Something invisible to believe in makes it all better.
#20
I am really into yoga and am looking for a yoga retreat to go to. Some of them are very cult like based on their web pages. Yikes.
#21
CrossFit
#22
People who push you to :
- Monetize your hobby.
- Industrialise your monetized hobby.
I'm not talking about people offering money for your services.
I am talking about people who look down on you for NOT making MORE money out of your hobby. While they themselves don't produce anything.
Glasofruix 9 months ago
I hate those people. My dad is the same way, every time i tried something new and fun as a teen (and i mean hobbies that make things, not sports&such) my dad's reaction was "great, now find a way to make money out of it". Money sucks the fun out of everything.
omnisexual_weeb【ツ】 9 months ago
my dad was just like that, and then when I stopped having hobbies because of that, he would say that I was worthless (he would also say that when I didn't have monetizable hobbies)
Load More Replies...
Rachel Reynolds 9 months ago
I like to draw. My husband pushed me to monetize my art. So I did and I hustled for a few months, made a bunch of art, posted it online and burned out, I haven't touched my art supplies in about six months. I hate it.
Rali Meyer 9 months ago
Do NOT make your hobby your profession. You lose perspective and don't know where to draw the line and call it quits
Array Index Out of Bounds 8 months ago
I program old-school style video games as a hobby. People ALWAYS ask me how much I make, or if I will sell my programs. I might someday, but I do it just for fun. If I worked for someone else it would not be fun.
#23
NFTs, especially when the people advertising them say it's the next big thing, then commit art theft on people who don't want their art used
Fellfromthemoon 9 months ago
I think I almost understand them, and they are literally a piece of unmovable code, usually a link to some art or "art". Not the actual pic, video or whatever on the site the link leads, but the link itself, that canot be modified. So, if someone "makes an NFT" out of your intellectual property, simply change the location of your artwork (like, rename by adding a hyphen), and problem solved.
Load More Replies... #24
Disney enthusiasts
Marianne 9 months ago
Well, I love Disney, but they do try to push themselves on our children and everything they sell is awefully expensive. Every magic comes at a price I guess...
Zaach 9 months ago
There is an animation where Walt himself worked with Dali - Destino - possibly one of the best animations ever (Dali also did a film 'Andalusian Dog' which I always saw when I went to 'Saragossa Manuscript' - warning, Saragossa Manuscript is not for the weak. A friend of mine and I saw it way more than sensible but we discovered the movie went 9 layers deep; the first layer is you are in a movie house, then they start reading a book and that becomes the focus. then characters tell a story which becomes the focus and someone in the story tells a story. It is a repertory group who appear in all the sub-stories too)
Hippopotamuses 8 months ago
I didn't know this was a thing. It's their business, but it's still kind of sad.
#25
Reality Shifting. Tiktokers actually think they can travel to hogwarts in their sleep.
Kabuki Kitsune 9 months ago
This is a take on lucid dreaming. Basically, the idea is that if you frame things in a way as you go to sleep, you can cause your mind to dream in a way you want. Ideally, you enter a dream state where your mind realizes it's in the dream and begins to manipulate it.
grilled cheese 9 months ago
bro my friend is a shifter, let people believe what they want to it’s really not that deep…
#26
Vegans.
WindySwede 9 months ago
At uni there was one vegan that didn't give a c**p what you ate, and another one that saw you as the reincarnation of satan if you bought meat.. I prefer the former mindset 🤷♂️
SkyyCaramba 9 months ago
I'm the, "oo that looks good" kinda vegetarian. like, I'll see you eating a ham sandwich, and google if there's a non meat version
Load More Replies...
Brian Droste 9 months ago
Only if they get together and try to push veganism on people, than it starts to become a cult. But if. A person eats like a vegan and don't try to push it onto other people than no.
#27
Apple products and their fan base
Kat Alison 9 months ago
Guilty as charged, because Android devices and I don’t get along. I managed to brick three of them.
Rali Meyer 9 months ago
Only people who worked extensively on both platforms are allowed to comment. I am multiple times faster on a iMac than IBM compatible when if comes to documents, filing, formatting.
K Barnes 9 months ago
My work switched over to apple about 8 years ago. I find the products much easier to work with for what we do and that I have to file a lot less IT tickets. I'm not paying for them, though, and there are serious talks in place to go back to PC because of the cost. It sounds like that is likely in 2-3 years.
Load More Replies...
#28
TikTok
K Barnes 9 months ago
Addictive and I really worry about what the short format social media is doing to brain development and attention spans in kids. Possibly nothing. Seemingly a lot. I'm not a scientist so I can't say.
Load More Replies... Ellinor 9 months ago
Really depends on which side of the app you are. TikTok's algorithm show you what you comment and like and don't show you what you signal or filter, so if you're a car enthusiast you will get mostly, if not only cars. Personally I only get cooking, sewing, cats and humour videos.
#29
Any organization or company that you can’t leave with your dignity intact.
#30
Astrology
#31
Rae Dunn. Specifically the people ‘Rae Dunners’ who wait outside Marshalls/T.J. Maxx for the new releases and the Instagram accounts dedicated to them. It just gives me the ick.
Lavern Defazio 9 months ago (edited)
I thought the same thing about the Australian " A-lister" with bad plastic surgery.
Load More Replies... 
BeesEelsAndPups 9 months ago
No that was Ray Gunn. I don't know who this person is
Load More Replies... #32
Texas A&M
Analyn Lahr 9 months ago
From what I understand a lot of people in Brazos County are connected to them in some way.
#33
Jeeps
Lowrider 56 9 months ago
I owned a Jeep once. I won't say it's a cult but there are people whose whole thing is about Jeeps. There's even the Jeep wave! It's when 2 Jeep owners pass each other on the road and wave at each other. If something happens to me its because I revealed a Jeep secret.
Load More Replies...
Jenn Smith 9 months ago
Hard to find fault if this is a cult. I love how they take joy in giving each other little duck toys! ( US)
CariBear 9 months ago
Love Ducking :) and there's so many different types these days, not just the classic yellow rubber duck :)
Load More Replies... Brian Droste 9 months ago (edited)
I have to disagree. I have a jeep but don't try to push it onto other people. To me it is just another vehicle to get around.
#34
Peloton
M O'Connell 9 months ago
Either way, I'd rather not pay to be yelled at while I try to exercise.
Load More Replies... #35
I’m scared to even say this because of how quickly algorithms will start pushing stuff of theirs, but BTS and their fan base. The smallest mention or a mere millisecond of viewing something involving them, and it’s all you’ll see for days in your recommendation across all platforms.
coffee_meowniac 8 months ago
They are the best boy band in the world, with the biggest and kindest hearts. Proudly representing Korea!
#36
The Boy Scouts of America.
Great experience overall. Probably the best place for kids to learn outdoors and survival skills, great opportunity to learn teamwork and leadership etc. I do think at it’s core it’s a great program.
But...
I now belong to 3 fake indian tribes I was hazed into and swore I’d never blab on. Constant religious indoctrination, military indoctrination, weird values from weird dads. Also: they told me to have a plan to k**l everyone I know???? Whole extended families lives revolve around it. Sometimes in prayers they refer to God/Yahweh as “the great master of all scouts.” The esoteric rituals and ceremonies are also weird.
Not even mentioning the obvious...
Tamra 9 months ago
Wait, what?! I've never heard about this before. I think this person just had really weird scout leaders.
Anthony Elmore 9 months ago
I think this person was just part of an actual cult.
Load More Replies... Patrick H 9 months ago
No, definitely not. Every Troop is run locally, though, so an occasional few could be run by wackadoodles.
Load More Replies... Kabuki Kitsune 9 months ago
Boy Scouts, for those curious, was originally envisioned by a former career military officer, who believed that it could be a good stepping stone for getting boys into the military. The organization doesn't push that idea any longer, but originally? It was essentially an early training for future soldiers.
Austzn 9 months ago
The only person I knew who was in scouts told me they spent their time in the troop smoking weed and beating up the smaller kids because the leaders didn't care.
#37
Air fryer owners
Phoenix 9 months ago (edited)
This is blasphemy! I can not live without my air fryer, it is life itself! Oh, wait. I see it now.
Jenn Smith 9 months ago
They got me too! Now I want some air fried cheese sticks, great!
Load More Replies...
#38
Rave attendees.
If you listen to EDM at all they expect you to be a consistent rave goer. If you don’t, you’re not “fun”
Raves are overrated.
Dan 9 months ago
This is quite endearing really. The rest of the world have been dancing to electronic music (much of it originating from the US ironically) for decades. The last time I went to something you could call a rave was in the 90s, now it’s a new thing. Rather like me discovering Jefferson Airplane and my parents then offering to lend me their records. Quite sweet really.
#39
Kpop fans
Gavin Johnson 9 months ago
My daughter is a K-Pop fan, Stray Kids more specifically. It’s like any other mass produced pop music, the major players are controlled by big money companies and do their bidding. It’s no weirder than the days of N*Sync, NKOTB, Take Thst, Backstreet Boys etc, it just seems odd to the westerners.
#40
PCOS support groups. Specifically, the ones that push keto as the cure. Never mind that while keto can *potentially* help people living with PCOS, it's not a cure; as of this Reddit post, there *is* no cure. If you mention this, they will Lose. Their. S**t. (Meanwhile, I've spoken to not one, but *two* of my doctors, asking them if I should do keto, and both of them were like, "Oh, honey, no!") The toxic diet culture was part of the reason I have *absolutely hated* every PCOS group I've ever been in. (The other was that, as someone who has made peace with, and actually *embraced* the infertility aspect of this disorder, I felt alienated; there's nothing for people who *aren't* trying to have a baby, or grieving their infertility.)
Kristiina Männiste 9 months ago
I actually cured my PCOS with diet by accident - I was starving myself as punishment for getting diabetes 2 and was trying to induce a hypoglycemic coma. Like as a sort of hobby - a game of How low can we go?? XD. I did loose weight and fixed the PCOS. But I do not think its an healthy solution XD.
#41
Jim Pickens' cult. We know we're not a cult, we're in it for the meme
BeesEelsAndPups 9 months ago
You know, James Pickens. The guy who did that thing that one time, with the other person. I have no idea either
Load More Replies... #42
College.
There's folks from my alma mater who find out I went there and immediately ask what alum committee I'm on and where I stayed when I went to reunion and are aghast when I say I got a degree there 15 years ago and that will be the extent of my participation.
General Anaesthesia 9 months ago
They didn't peak in high school, they peaked a year later in college.
Lady Eowyn 9 months ago
I got my bachelor's in 81 and my master's in 87. Same university. Still getting invites to alumni stuff. It gets tossed in the trash.
BeesEelsAndPups 9 months ago
I occasionally get letters asking for donations to my alma mater. But that's about it. When I meet others who went there they say "oh I went there too" and I reply with "oh cool" and the conversation is over.
#43
Working for any fast food chain. They try to capitalize on the whole “we’re a family” and try to create a sense of togetherness to make people less miserable, when in reality everyone is just there to get a paycheck as a means to pay for either rent or w**d
Šimon Špaček 9 months ago
"We are a family!" Yeah... when I think about my family (with all cousins and so)... how many of them I want to see on regular basis? How many of them I take for beer or invite to barbeque? How many I would ask for help with anything? Yeah, maybe being family is not that great.
#44
Any brand loyalty whatsoever
Mobey Drunk 9 months ago
Depends on why. I have some brand loyalty for excellent quality and good ethics I'll gladly stick with a brand of products that won't fall apart quickly. Also, if they pay fair wages and treat their employees well.
#45
How about sneakerheads?
#46
The whole process around purchasing a Birkin handbag is super culty. No sane person owns a Birkin.
Devin Schmitt 9 months ago
Holy C**p, these are expensive! I've never heard of them before today.
#47
The MCU
#48
Musical Theatre.
Have you ever walked into a rehearsal for a musical? That s***s culty even down to the chanting
WindySwede 9 months ago
I was thinking more of the "warming up your voice with monotone sounds" part?
Load More Replies... #49
Band
grilled cheese 9 months ago
THIS IS BLASPHEMY AND YOU SHALL BE PUNISHED oh c**p maybe band is a cult
What do you think ?
A̷͇̘̓͜l̷̼͇̣͒̌ͅȩ̷͍͙͗̅̀͊̏̾͘x̶̋̍ 9 months ago
You know, sometimes it feels like people don't know the difference between cult and a few people who really like something..
DennyS (denzoren) 9 months ago
According to some of these...BP is a cult. lol
Load More Replies... MonsterMum 9 months ago
Steiner education, imo. I made the mistake of putting my children in one steiner school and deeply regret it. I was blamed for the younger one's asd because I had them vaccinated. Other parents criticised me for giving my kids steroids (they would never do such an irresponsible thing). I like my kids to breathe so let them have their asthma medicine.
Nea 9 months ago
This was stupid. All of us are in a cult, according to this article. I dont even know of most things mentioned but still it felt like everything was labelled as a cult 🤔
BeesEelsAndPups 9 months ago
Seriously. My book club constitutes a cult according to this. Just because we have the "ritual" of meeting on the same day every week to discuss a book we all agree to read together. And sure we have human sacrifices to the book gods, and tea with honey and crackers, but it's not like we're crazy about the kind of crackers we eat. Or if you don't like honey with your tea, you're allowed sugar or milk or lemon or whatever. People take things too seriously.
Load More Replies... John Dilligaf 9 months ago
The United States Marine Corps. Nobody who is now or ever was in the Corps will dispute this.
66y6dvmmw7 9 months ago
Anyone can call something a cult they don't understand and are not a part of.
Another Panda 8 months ago (edited)
I cannot believe MLMs were not mentioned. Having been in a number of (took me a while to learn my lesson), there is definitely cult-like behavior involved to keep taking your money, make you feel like you are failing if you want to quit, make you feel like it is your own fault if you do not climb their ladder stucture and sales scheme, and the lack of contact by those still in it when you do leave. They convince you to alienate your family and friends by monetizing them, then “moving on” from them because they are not “saavy enough to have the vision” (“NEXT!”). The other thing is the whole “entrepreneur” movement. That’s another one the ruins your cherished relationships, because they entwine “positivity” and “having the right (indoctrinated) circle of friends”. I lost wrecked good relationships thanks to these evils.
Rachel Reynolds 9 months ago
A vegan who does crossfit and invests in crypto...what do they talk about first?
A̷͇̘̓͜l̷̼͇̣͒̌ͅȩ̷͍͙͗̅̀͊̏̾͘x̶̋̍ 9 months ago
You know, sometimes it feels like people don't know the difference between cult and a few people who really like something..
DennyS (denzoren) 9 months ago
According to some of these...BP is a cult. lol
Load More Replies... MonsterMum 9 months ago
Steiner education, imo. I made the mistake of putting my children in one steiner school and deeply regret it. I was blamed for the younger one's asd because I had them vaccinated. Other parents criticised me for giving my kids steroids (they would never do such an irresponsible thing). I like my kids to breathe so let them have their asthma medicine.
Nea 9 months ago
This was stupid. All of us are in a cult, according to this article. I dont even know of most things mentioned but still it felt like everything was labelled as a cult 🤔
BeesEelsAndPups 9 months ago
Seriously. My book club constitutes a cult according to this. Just because we have the "ritual" of meeting on the same day every week to discuss a book we all agree to read together. And sure we have human sacrifices to the book gods, and tea with honey and crackers, but it's not like we're crazy about the kind of crackers we eat. Or if you don't like honey with your tea, you're allowed sugar or milk or lemon or whatever. People take things too seriously.
Load More Replies... John Dilligaf 9 months ago
The United States Marine Corps. Nobody who is now or ever was in the Corps will dispute this.
66y6dvmmw7 9 months ago
Anyone can call something a cult they don't understand and are not a part of.
Another Panda 8 months ago (edited)
I cannot believe MLMs were not mentioned. Having been in a number of (took me a while to learn my lesson), there is definitely cult-like behavior involved to keep taking your money, make you feel like you are failing if you want to quit, make you feel like it is your own fault if you do not climb their ladder stucture and sales scheme, and the lack of contact by those still in it when you do leave. They convince you to alienate your family and friends by monetizing them, then “moving on” from them because they are not “saavy enough to have the vision” (“NEXT!”). The other thing is the whole “entrepreneur” movement. That’s another one the ruins your cherished relationships, because they entwine “positivity” and “having the right (indoctrinated) circle of friends”. I lost wrecked good relationships thanks to these evils.
Rachel Reynolds 9 months ago
A vegan who does crossfit and invests in crypto...what do they talk about first?
You May Like 50 Aspects Of Other Cultures That People Would Adopt For Their Own Country People Share 58 Moments Of Food Culture Shock They Experienced 116 Difficult Words For The Linguist In You
Žydrūnė Trukanavičiūtė
Eligijus Sinkunas
Neilas Šurkus
Related on Bored Panda
