What qualifies Warren Jeffs group as a cult?

Answer 1

What qualifies as a cult is entirely up to individual interpretation. The definition of a cult is "religious veneration toward a particular figure or object". By that definition, any religious organization could be a cult. However, what separates a "cult" from a mainstream religion is that a cult usually has socially deviant beliefs and practices, often cuts itself off from the outside world, is very secretive or insular, places major emphasis on one charismatic leader, and can be difficult to leave. These groups are also usually quite small and have disdain for or believe they operate above the law. Warren Jeffs and the Fundamentalist Latter Day Saints definitely fit the bill. For example:


The FLDS have socially deviant beliefs and practices - The FLDS are well known for their practice of polygamy - having multiple wives. They have also been known to marry very young girls and assign marriages or reassign wives to more faithful husbands. Reports from Jeff's trial and from those leaving the sect say that deviant sexual acts have been used as religious ordinances, particularly in the temple at YFZ in Texas.

The FLDS cuts itself off from the outside world - many FLDS live in gated communes far from any major cities, and there has been a push in recent years to expand these communities. They will not send their children to schools that are not operated by the church, and reports have said that FLDS children are unaware of such things as astronomy, space flight, evolution, ancient history, and cultural icons such as artists and musicians. Many kids learn only practical skills like construction, farming, and housework after age 8, leaving them with little academic knowledge. They do not watch TV or movies or listen to popular music, many don't have access to the internet. Many FLDS will never even see a doctor outside of their commune. The FLDS produce much of their own food, build their own homes, and make their own clothing. Their clothing, hair, and even language are distinctly different from the rest of society.

The FLDS are very secretive and insular - they do not share their beliefs with outsiders, they have no website, publish no literature, and do not proselyte. Their worship services are closed to the public, their sacred buildings are strictly off limits, their communes are guarded, and it is very difficult for even the government and media to get information about them.

The FLDS place emphasis on one charismatic leader - Warren Jeffs is the prophet, and if you don't follow him with strict obedience you will be punished. The FLDS seem to put more emphasis on their prophet than on God, practically viewing him as a god on earth. Jeffs has been known to place very strict or unusual edicts on his people, which they follow with very little hesitation. Some unusual things he has asked are for all children's toys to be thrown away, all family pets to be shot and killed, and to cancel celebrating all holidays and birthdays. Even from prison, he leads the people through coded letters and phone calls.

The FLDS is difficult to leave - The FLDS have been known for kicking young men out on the streets (presumably to cut down on competition for wives) and shunning them completely. But women, even those who are very disobedient, question the prophet, or want to leave, are instead punished and monitored so that they cant escape. Women who have eventually left the FLDS have said that they had to leave in secret and spend time planning how they could get out because their activities were monitored and they had few if any contacts in the outside world, no vehicle, and often many children. Prior to leaving many were punished for disobedience or apostasy by being assigned to a different family, being removed from their children, or being forced to do chores/labor for months under poor conditions with no pay.

The FLDS is quite small in numbers - While the FLDS is certainly large for a cult, and it's numbers are almost certainly bigger than the government has estimated, their numbers are still relatively small. It is estimated that there are about 10,000 members of the FLDS. Interestingly, there are probably less than 15 last names among all these people because of intermarrying - Jeffs, Steed, Barlow, Dockstader, Broadbent, Allred, Darger, Jessop, Neilsen, Musser, Wooley, Blackmore, Oler, Emack, Keate - nearly every FLDS person will have one of these last names.

The FLDS definitely has disdain for the government and believes it operates above or outside the law - The FLDS are notorious for blatantly breaking the law with their practices of polygamy, underage marriage, child labor, child abuse, sexual abuse, pedophilia, etc. They have been known for tax evasion, money laundering, disregarding custody rights, hiding people from apostate family members, and chasing down any outsiders to try to enter the community. The church has a security force which works in concert with local law enforcement (who are all FLDS) and has their own government - essentially operating as a theocracy. FLDS who have left have also revealed that the FLDS are taught that the government is run by the devil and that no outsider can be trusted.