ONCE RECRUITED, THE new cult member begins to learn more about the group's mission and to work toward its goals. If the group lives together, the new member will move into a group center. This center may be an apartment or house in a city or town, or a farm or rural compound.

While every cult is different, some aspects of communal cult life are similar. First of all, members' activities are highly structured, or planned for them. The needs of the cult and instructions of cult leaders dictate what is to be done. Members are expected to carry out the plans and programs, and most have little or no role in decision making. Secondly, members spend most, if not all, of their time with each other. The demands of cult membership are often so time-consuming that members give up...