I would like to know what the main difference is that distinguishes a cult from a gang. Many of the groups listed on this website's database can also be considered gangs. How are the bloods and krips not cults? They have their own doctrines and dogmatic rules.

infinitymike:

See [www.culteducation.com]

Psychiatrist Robert Jay Lifton, who wrote the definitive book about thought reform (often called "brainwashing") also wrote a paper about cult formation. Lifton defined a cult as having the following 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 power.

2. A process [is in use] call[ed] coercive persuasion or thought reform.

3. Economic, sexual, and other exploitation of group members by the leader and the ruling coterie.

Many gangs may lack number one, a defining charismatic leader, someone like Jim Jones, Charles Manson or David Koresh.