5 Features of High Control Religions & Groups

If you’ve wondered if the group, community, or religion you’ve been part of counts as “High Control”, here are five common features of such high control groups. As always, there are exceptions, but the vast majority of high control groups share the following characteristics.

1) The group itself or leaders of the group dictate how members should think, act, or feel. This can include how members should dress, what they can eat, what their beliefs should be about certain topics, when they can and with whom they can have sexual activity, who they should vote for, or what they should do with their income, etc.

2) The group is elitist and believes they are special and superior to non-members. This can include thinking they have the “one true way” or only path to salvation and intense judgement and/or pity for people who are not part of the group. This can also include the group, group leader, or doctrine, promising that with membership comes enlightenment, special knowledge, powers, or skills that no one outside of the group can achieve.

3) Members are expected to dedicate significant time and/or other resources to the group. For some groups this may include a set amount of tithing or donation to the group per month, attendance of regular meetings/trainings/gatherings, provide labor or services for little or no money, required “volunteering” within the organization, and much more.

4) Polarized us-versus-them mentality towards outsiders and non-members. This can range greatly depending on the group from dislike, to distrust, fear, or even hatred of outsiders. This often means members are encouraged to only spend time with or build close relationships with other members. It may contribute to great strain and tension if a member chooses to remain close with family or friends who are not part of the group. At the core, the group sees themselves as being very different from outsiders/non-members and his can magnify the negative backlash of a member leaving the group and can include shunning, disconnection, or even harassment.

5) Questioning, doubt, or dissent are discouraged or punished. For some religions or groups they may tell members to doubt or question demonstrates weakness and that they should dedicate more time and energy committing themselves to the group. Some groups specifically tell members to only read materials or websites published by the group itself and to avoid anything written by former members, thereby limiting the information a member can access. Frequently shame and judgement are tools to socially punish those who question the group, it’s doctrine, or leaders.