Are Simon and Elijah running a cult?
Excessive commitment to a living leader - The group tends to Simon's wants and needs but are not actively encouraged to or rewarded for it. They do it seemingly out of instinct or simple appreciation. Simon takes advantage of this but remains attentive to his congregants' body language, watching for enthusiasm and rejecting service when it is not present as to avoid abusing his power.
A focus on bringing in new members - Elijah is all for evangelizing, but respects Simon's belief that it's better to let people come to them. Ultimately, they leave it up to the members if they want to preach or not.
A focus on making money - Members are allowed and encouraged to produce money. And while 80% of earnings must be given to Simon and Elijah, they don't use it for themselves. It's used to pay bills and other necessary expenses. Any leftovers are saved in case of an emergency.
Questions or doubt are discouraged and/or punished - Elijah isn't all that fond of dissent or skepticism and occasionally goes as far as to try to silence it if caught off guard by it. Simon, however, is more accepting. He welcomes questions, believing that they actually strengthen faith.
Practices made to turn off, distract, or occupy the mind - Elijah and Simon agree that members should be kept alert, lively, and individual. Elijah sees it as a way to distinguish themselves from other religions, and Simon simply believes in full autonomy and freedom of expression. Not to say that they discourage group meditation, prayer, chant, etc, but they don't impose it and if it happens, it develops naturally. They only control that it doesn't become a tradition.
Leader/s have invasive control over member's lives - Elijah ,and moreso, Simon, trust their congregants to make good choices. They give advice and suggestions, yes, but only if they feel it necessary or if it was requested.
A belief that the group is superior to outsiders - The group both pities and fears those who haven't joined them, but this is something neither Elijah nor Simon preach. It developed naturally from moments of ignorance or hostility from outsiders.
Encouragement of an "us vs them" mentality - While Elijah holds a belief that the two groups were so different as to nearly be different species, Simon does not allow him to preach such things. Not until the riots broke out, where outsiders became a threat to the group's safety.
The leader/s are not held accountable for their actions/their actions are always excused as justified - Neither Elijah nor Simon enjoy having their faults or failures pointed out to them or even perceived, but they do both try to stay mindful of their reactions. They want the members to feel safe bringing them constructive criticism. However, some members do independently behave as if the pair, Simon in particular, are infallible.
The leader/s induce guilt in members - The pair want the congregation to be a place where people can shed the guilt and shame imposed on them by society, with none more given.
Detachment and isolation from family and friends is encouraged - While going completely no contact isn't required, those who do distance themselves from non believers tend to receive praise, but not much and only from Elijah.
In conclusion. No. Simon and Elijah are not running a cult.
