ACCORDING TO SOCIOLOGISTS William S. Bainbridge and Rodney Stark, a cult develops when a leader who claims to have special spiritual knowledge or abilities, or a special role in the universe, transmits his or her ideas to others who accept them. "We conceptualize successful cult innovation," state Bainbridge and Stark, "as a social process in which innovators both invent new religious ideas and transmit them to other persons in exchange for rewards." Some rewards may be intangible, such as giving attention to the leader, accepting his or her beliefs, or participating in group activities; but they may also include rewards of money, property, or other valuables given by cult members.

It is not only the leader who is rewarded when a cult develops. Cult members hope to share in the leader's knowledge, abilities, or position by becoming followers. Being part of the cult's special...