cults

The four factors that Deikman cites, in this link, as characteristic of cult phenomena are
• compliance with the group
• dependence on a leader
• avoidance of dissent
• devaluation of outsiders.
http://www.hgi.org.uk/archive/cults.htm#.UsHYS_RdVnY

Cultism is really an extreme form of culture,  we just need to be moving in slightly the opposite direction...cultural deprogramming.

Deprogramming Yourself (The Parting of the Ways)

http://www.davidicke.com/headlines/43291-deprogramming-yourself-the-parting-of-the-ways