I’ve spent over forty years studying cults. I presented on this topic in several conference lectures, including one time I presented jointly with Jim Dincalci who spent 14 years with L. Ron Hubbard as his personal nurse, before leaving. He had a top view of the operations of Scientology. If I remember correctly, the lecture title was Mind Control and Manipulation.
I also worked with several cults who were churches as I was an expert on church & clergy income taxes.
And now everything looks cultish. And the discussion has become circular.
Steven Hassan is a psychologist who specializes in rescuing people from cults. He was rescued from the Moonies back in the late 1970’s.
His excellent books include:
Combating Cult Mind Control: The #1 Best-selling Guide to Protection, Rescue, and Recovery from Destructive Cults (2015)
Freedom of Mind: Helping Loved Ones Leave Controlling People, Cults, and Beliefs (2022)
Releasing the Bonds: Empowering People to Think for Themselves (2000)
Combatting Cult Mind Control: The #1 Best-selling Guide to Protection, Rescue, and Recovery from Destructive Cults (1990)
Understanding Cults: The Official Workbook (2025)