Ktchsh!

BITE stands for Behavior Control, Information Control, Thought Control, and Emotional Control.

The more points a group “scores” on the model, the more of a cult it is.

I think this model is the best one for several reasons:

It’s more nuanced than “cult” or “not cult” and doesn’t make false equivalences between groups

It’s versatile, applying to groups big and small, and cults of all kinds, religious, political, financial, etc.

This is a great example of Thought Control used by cults whenever they’re confronted with criticism.

I worked with a beekeeper (not at beekeeping, guy had a day job as a machinist and kept bees as a side thing). One day there was a swarm in the parking lot and people were freaking out because, y'know, BEES EVERYWHERE. Beekeeper guy went to his truck. Pulled a swarm-catching box out. Put it on the ground and walked away. Bees went in the box after a while. Guy put the box back in his truck and drove home with them.

You cannot prevent bees from leaving a hive they don't like the conditions of, without also preventing them from being able to make honey. The latter is dependent on them being able to come and go as they please. If they don't like their hive THEY WILL LEAVE.

Tarot Card Cross Stitch Kits and Patterns

Take Me To Church: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gLs_-SXZGqE

Bohemian Rhapsody: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QjD80dBPelI

Wonderwall: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UvHkxAb3tNY

But others are just far enough away that they sound like classical music for a minute:

Pompeii: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AIcDIZGlr9U

this oddly sad cover of Despacito: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FAi-F1Io7gc