According to one author, most people assume that all sects have religious bases; however, this is not always true. Although most cults are, in fact, religiously based, it would be wise to remember that these cults distort the message they claim to practice. Some sects will go so far as to invent an entire belief system to advance their cause (How Sects Work). In an essay, BA Robinson quotes Leo Pfeffer: “…if you believe in it, it is a religion or perhaps 'the' religion; and if you don't care one way or another, it's a cult; but if you fear it and hate it, it is a sect” (Quote). This opinion is often evident when a minority or relative is discussed by uninformed individuals (Source 5). It is important to remember that no one joins a cult voluntarily; he or she is actively recruited using very effective methods of coercion that can be described as “mind control” (Source 14). There are many warning signs that a person can look for to determine if a group is a cult. If someone discovers that they belong to a cult and decides to leave it, they should be aware that their recovery will take time if they have been involved for a long time. While most religious groups believe in some variety of apocalyptic theories, some groups known as doomsday cults will take this view to the next level (quote). Recruiters use highly effective psychological coercion techniques such as "love bombing", a process in which recruits are overwhelmed by people who instantly like and accept the new member. Not only is this an effective recruitment technique, but it is also a great control mechanism, as this love is immediately revoked if a member breaks a rule or does something to displease someone in authority. It is increasingly common for recruiters to target... middle of article ......if one examines tragedies such as Jamestown and the 1993 Waco Davidian Massacre, one can safely conclude be sure that this is a precise definition. Some cults such as Heaven's Gate have experienced member suicides; where, as a Branch Davidian, were victims of mass murders perpetrated by cult leaders. Cults like Aum Shinkyo have been implicated in mass murders targeting foreigners. It is commonly believed that cults are like gangs, a group of people interested in nothing other than committing crimes, whether that be vandalism or even murder. Nothing could be further from the truth; there are very few crimes linked to sects. The main sources of these beliefs are isolated but devastating incidents such as the Manson Family murders, which stigmatized the word cult. The most accurate and recommended use of the word is to describe apocalyptic cults..