Often cult members are required to work long hours recruiting and raising money for the cult. The motivation for slavish labor is often a salvation by works mentality. Jehovah's Witnesses believe their salvation is, in part, assured by witnessing door to door. Thus Christ was simply a human on his way to godhood. Some cult-ish characteristics creep into all social groups from business to education to organized religion.
Coaches can become emotionally and physically abusive to their players.
The degree and number of ways the group deviates from what is considered socially acceptable and orthodox is a clue. Denominations often differ on the finer points of theology, but most consider Jesus as divine and their leaders not . The most telling clue, however, is the leader's refusal to be accountable to anyone except his vision of God, alien messengers, whoever or whatever. Jim Jones began his ministry as a member of an evangelical denomination. Marshall Applewhite was the son of a main-line denomination pastor and attended seminary.