Ahem...

The group has a polarized us-versus-them mentality, which causes conflict with the wider society.

This is so vague it could be applied to almost any group with grievances toward wider society. Like American blacks who demand slavery reparations from whites who not only weren't alive during the transatlantic agricultural slave trade, but often whose ancestors didn't even live in America before 1865. Like Jews who constantly demand respect for Judaism and memorials to the Holocaust while disrespecting Christians and Muslims, sometimes to the point of spitting while walking past churches, denying the Armenian genocide, etc.

UC Berkeley

Nice speech codes they have there. Is 'political correctness' not cultlike and dishonestly authoritarian?

All The Answers - Provide simple answers to the confusion they, themselves, create. Support these answers with material produced or "approved" by the group.

All The Answers = DSM.
The Group = APA.

Totalism - "Us against them" thinking. Strengthens group identity. Everyone outside of group lumped under one label.

Like "gentiles," "unbelievers," "kufari?" What distinguishes a mainstream religion from a cult, other than the presence of more people? What really distinguishes scientism, 'New Class' professionalism or psychiatry from religious cults other than the choice of idols?

When sound evidence against the group is presented, members are taught to question the motivation of the presenter. The verifiable (sound documentation) is ignored because of doubts over the unverifiable (presenter's motives). See Opposer Warnings (#2 above).

That might be an informal fallacy in some contexts but it's also a healthy skepticism. For example, it's not foolish to consider ulterior motives of a scientist with neo-Nazi connections touting theories of black inferiority. For another, less Godwinian example, it's smart to consider the possible conflict of interest involved in medical research by foundations funded by big pharmaceutical companies.

Coercion - Disobedience, including even minor disagreement with group doctrine, may result in expulsion and shunning.

Oh. What might happen if you openly disagree with mainstream views on pedophilia? Are raving threats of dismemberment, torture and death particularly rational in your mind? Would the same talk be tolerated on such a scale toward blacks or Jews? Let's remember that many members of THOSE groups still feel oppressed. Yet those who identify as PEDOPHILES have to be cultish to realize that many people are out to do them ill?

4. Rejection of Old Values
Accelerating acceptance of new life style by constantly denouncing former values and beliefs.

6. Metacommunication
Implanting subliminal messages by stressing certain key words or phrases in long, confusing lectures.

17. Finger Pointing
Creating a false sense of righteousness by pointing to the shortcomings of the outside world and other cults.

Looks like the way polite society works. Seems the mainstreamers don't appreciate the competition...