Blogs About All Things Cultish And Coercive Control

I wish we could normalise something very simple: Acknowledging what it actually means to be human. Because somewhere along the way, we’ve taken core human experiences—things like strength, freedom, capability, emotional depth, purpose—and divided them into “masculine” and “feminine” traits. And once you really look at that move, it doesn’t make sense. It creates confusion at best, and at worst, it becomes a tool for control. Let’s start with the basics.

When people see my cult ranking system, they sometimes assume it’s a trauma scale. It’s not. My rubric doesn’t measure the emotional pain a group causes—though many do cause immense suffering. Instead, it measures coercive control: the tactics groups use to limit a person’s agency, autonomy, and freedom.

Struggles of Parents of Cult Victims often goes unrecognised. We watch powerless to help those we love be whisked away in a smoke storm of coercion & exploitation.

Explore how cult leaders exploit sacred texts to radicalise and dominate followers across 5 major religions.

Is Your Organisation a Cult? Learn how Renee's Cult Ranking System can help you identify coercive control in any type of group.

Discover the positive side of close-knit spiritual groups teetering on the 'Verge of Cultish'.

Unveil the hidden dangers within noble causes as we uncover how destructive cults exploit noble causes to entrap people.