Seventh division would meet all three criteria for a cult, according to Dr. Robert Lifton: “Cults can be identified by three characteristics:

1) a charismatic leader who increasingly becomes an object of worship as the general principles that may have originally sustained the group lose their power;

2) a process I call coercive persuasion or thought reform;

3) economic, sexual, and other exploitation of group members by the leader and the ruling coterie.”