by Judea

The following is from Wikipedia. Let us go through the traits one section at a time. :)

Characteristics

Apocalyptic Beliefs
dualism
the persecuted chosen
imminence
determinism
salvation through conflict

The Veil falling wouldn’t and would be our apocalyptic belief.
We do not really have a dualism–as in a ultimate good vs. a ultimate evil.
As far as I know, we don’t have a persecuted chosen. That’s a personal thing–not an all over thing.
Imminence, according to webster, is something that is coming—like an impending evil. Again, that is a matter of opinion.
Determinism…yes…to be determined. Who isn’t at one point or another? All our goals are different, though. :)

Charismatic Leadership
control over members
lack of restraint
withdrawal

Okay, we can shut this down right now by saying that otherkin do not have an acknowledge leader, and probably never will.

Actions by Authorities
lack of comprehension
unsound negotiation
hasty action
spiral of amplification

We don’t have an acknowledged authority in otherkin. Otherkin are like cats—no authority and nearly impossible to herd. So basically, these can go too.

Threats
Weapons Acquisition
firearms
explosives
chemical / biological weapons
Institutional Infiltration
political
business

We don’t have threats from within Otherkin, but we do have some of them from outside of otherkin, and that’s not a cult characteristic anymore. Otherkin own buisnesses individually, and it does not go to the overall whole as a cult does it. We have no political system. I’m sure some of you have your own weapons collections, swords and the like, but that’s an individual thing. We have no explosives or anything on that list to threaten anyone with.
Even if that did happen, there are some of us would shove it someplace real uncomfortable for the person who would dare try to threaten us. :D

Criminal Activity
crimes against individuals
transnational crime

Criminal activity is an individual thing, and it’s not cult activity. If you commited a crime, that’s completely on you. NOT Otherkin.

Early warning signs
Intensification of illegal activities
Humiliating circumstances
Relocation to a rural area
Increasingly violent rhetoric
Struggle for leadership

Illegal activities–No.
Humiliating Circumstances–No. (We are all humiliated at one point in our lives, and that is OUR LIVES. Not a cult.)
Relocation to a rural area—No–not unless it’s your choice because you hate the city.
Increasingly violent rhetoric—No.
Struggle for leadership–No. ( :lol: Not unless Glass beating Zilchy at poker is considered a struggle for leadership! :lol: )

Okay, now that we’ve gone through those cult characteristics, and I tossed off a majority of them, we can safely say that Otherkin is NOT a cult at this point.
While cults have limited membership, our own ‘membership’ is not our choice. Otherkin is what you are–not what you become. If people got a problem with that–TOO BAD!!!! It’s just the way we are–like being gay is the way a gay person is or a transgendered person is. You are BORN that way. :)
Now, for another quote.

DOCTRINAL CHARACTERISTICS OF A CULT

There are four characteristics in the doctrinal dimension of a cult. They are: New Revelation, Denial of the Sole Authority of the Bible, A Distorted View of God and Jesus, and Denial of Salvation by Grace. Lets go through each of them:

New Revelation – Cult’s teachings often change and new revelations are needed to justify the changes.

Denial of the Sole Authority of the Bible – In order of the cults to push their idea of new revelation, they need to reject the sole authority of the Bible and put it on the same or in fact lower level as the new revelation.

A Distorted View of God and Jesus – Many cults do see Jesus as who he is – the Son of God who is fully God at the same time. They believe Jesus to a lower degree like a god but not the God. Cults reject the Trinity and they reject the existence of the Holy Spirit. Cults also reject the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Denial of Salvation by Grace – Cults reject the idea of salvation by grace. They mostly hold to salvation by works.

SOCIOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF A CULT

There are seven characteristics in the sociological dimension of a cult. They are: Authoritarianism, Exclusivism, Dogmatism, Close-mindedness, Susceptibility, Isolationism, and Antagonism. Lets go through each of them:

Authoritarianism – This is the acceptance of a authority figure who often uses mind-control techniques on their followers for control. The word of these authority figures (founder or prophet) are considered ultimate.

Exclusivism – Cults usually believe that they alone have the truth as opposed to other Christian denominations. Some cults practice communal living (some religious groups that practice communal living are not cults) to make it easier to maintain control over cult members.

Dogmatism – Cults believe that they alone have the truth and they are the only ones to interpret the Bible correctly.

Close-mindedness – Cult members are so devoted to their cult that they are unwilling to even consider any other point of view even if they know they are wrong.

Susceptibility – Many people that join cults are gullible and some are psychologically vulnerable. This goes hand in hand with close-mindedness in that they will ignore anything that contradicts their claims while practicing blind faith that is absent of sound reasoning.

Isolationism – Extreme cults create fortified boundaries and are hard on those who are thinking or are attempting to desert. Isolationism creates fear among cult members to obey their leaders giving them even more control.

Antagonism – Isolationism leads to antagonism toward the outside world. Other Christian groups are considered evil and bad.

MORAL CHARACTERISTICS OF A CULT

There are four characteristics of the moral dimension of a cult. They are: Legalism, Sexual Perversion, Physical Abuse, and Intolerance toward Others. Lets go through each of them:

Legalism – Since cults reject salvation by grace, they often practice legalism. This is a setting down of rigid rules that are not Biblical. This is also for the leaders to control their members.

Sexual Perversion – In cults there are huge cases of sexual perversion. Some cults allow polygamy (more than one wife). Some cults sexually lure people into their cult. The leaders of some cults have been reported to having sex with a great deal of women in their cult including young girls.

Physical Abuse – Some cults are guilty of engaging in physical abuse. Many ex-cult members accuse their former leaders of beating, depriving of sleep and food as a way of control. Many times these attacks are directed at children. There is also psychological abuse (fear, isolation, intimidation). The ultimate physical abuse is killing members by making them drink poison or another way.

Intolerance toward Others – Many cults have a low tolerance toward people of other groups. This is seen in antagonism and sometimes leads to killings.