Eight Distinctives Of An Aberrational Christian or Bible-based Group from http://www.neirr.org/s7-aber2.html

… it is more accurately the gravitation towards high-control, authoritarian leadership structures that actually make a group “aberrant”. In describing this tendency towards spiritual totalitarianism, one could accurately depict the methodology in terms of it’s visible manifestation, as does Steve Hassan in his BITE Model of Mind Control. In our explanation below, however, we address the process in the specific way that it expresses itself in a Bible-based group, inasmuch as the beliefs of the group are utilized to create and maintain that strict authoritarian schema. It is the perversion of otherwise benign belief and doctrine which becomes the vehicle for the leader(s) to gain control over the members. …

I. Scripture Twisting.

This is the most important distinctive from which all other distinctives flow. Usually there is a deficient concept of Church history or theological categories. Consequently Scripture is taken out of context, carelessly applied, and used to justify wrong conclusions (prooftexting). …

II. Controlling Leader/Leadership.

Frequently, near to total submission is implicitly or explicitly demanded by the leader/leadership. This is because they have “the mind of Christ,” special revelation, are “God’s anointed,” etc.

a.. The leader/leadership has a special pipeline to God with no actual accountability. This gives to them a special authority and weightiness in their pronouncements, even in non-essentials.

b.. Scriptures like Hebrews 13:17; Psalm 105:15, etc. are used to manipulate the member and justify the leader’s position. These verses are taken out of context and were never intended for leaders who are not accountable.

c.. The leader/leadership often determines the areas of your life that are important for you to submit in. Refusing their counsel is to be rebellious.

d.. The problem is that members of these aberrational groups tend to abdicate their decision making power to the group or leader.

III. Separation/Isolation Of The Membership.

Members are separated from the “world” in a variety of ways in order to protect them from “harmful” influences.

a.. This is couched in spiritual language and is usually sincerely believed by the leader/leadership as an appropriate and necessary step for them to take. “We want to help you to become the best in Christ that you can possibly be. It has been our experience that you can be harmed by living with…, getting involved in…, reading…, associating with…, etc. This certainly wouldn’t please Jesus, and you might even fall away from the truth. It has happened in the past.”

b.. This separation is often from family, friends, and even other Christian groups.

IV. The Chosen Few.

Spiritual elitism is often rampant in these aberrational groups. All other Christians outside your group are either lukewarm or not true believers at all.

a.. Consequently, salvation is not found outside the walls of the group and other Christians are “fair game” for proselytizing (ie. conversion to a group, tradition or belief system).

b.. Aberrational Christian groups rarely, if ever, cooperate with other Christian groups not associated with them.

V. Uniformity Of Lifestyle.

This uniformity of lifestyle may be manifested in beliefs, dress, language and living conditions.

a.. The desire is to create a true disciple of Jesus Christ. However, the issue is what makes a disciple and how is one identified.

b.. This uniformity can intrude in all the private areas of an individuals life where the Scriptures are silent.

VI. No Dissent.

Because the leadership is authoritarian it follows that there can be no questioning of God’s anointed or prophet.

a.. In non-coercive groups and churches differences on lesser points of doctrine and practice are tolerated. It is the unity of the Spirit that is essential. The individuality of the member is always affirmed. However, minor differences of doctrine and practice are not tolerated in aberrational groups.

b.. To speak out or to question is to have a rebellious spirit and to possibly fall under God’s wrath.

VII. Traumatic Departure.

Leaving an aberrational Christian Group is always extremely traumatic.

a.. If a member plans on leaving and the leadership finds out there may be a painful confrontation with the leadership who seek to talk the “rebellious” member out of leaving.

b.. Frequently, the person may be told, “If you leave bad things will happen to you. Maybe you will get cancer…, get hit by a car…, lose everything…, go insane…, and even die.”

c.. Leaving is also very traumatic because even though the member no longer believes in the group, they have been indoctrinated to believe that salvation does not exist outside their walls. Thus, where can the departing member go? …

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Mind-Manipulating Groups: Are you or a Family Member a Victim? from http://www.csj.org/infoserv_cult101/checklis.htm

The following statements, compiled by Dr. Michael Langone, editor of Cultic Studies Journal, often characterize manipulative groups. ….

Questioning, doubt, and dissent are discouraged or even punished. …

The group is elitist, claiming a special, exalted status for itself, its leader(s), and members (for example: the leader is considered the Messiah or an avatar; the group and/or the leader has a special mission to save humanity).

The group has a polarized us- versus-them mentality, which causes conflict with the wider society.

The group’s leader is not accountable to any authorities (as are, for example, military commanders and ministers, priests, monks, and rabbis of mainstream denominations). ….

The leadership induces guilt feelings in members in order to control them.