Guilt and Fear - Groups focuses on individual's sinful nature and the need to purge the old personality. Schedule Control, Fatigue - Study and service to group are mandatory, taking up almost all the time of the new member, making them too busy to question or to listen to others. Family, friends, jobs and hobbies are squeezed out, further isolating the new member. Attack Independent Thought - Critical thinking is discouraged as prideful and sinful. Blind acceptance is encouraged.
All issues have simple answers, and require unquestioning obedience to the group.
Everyone outside of the group is labeled as weak or misled. When sound evidence against the group is presented, members are taught to question the motives of the presenter. What is verifiable is ignored due to what is non-verifiable. Information Control - Group controls what member may see or hear. Forbids contact with ex-members or anyone critical of the group.