Is it a cult?  How to know

• The group has a charismatic leader who is very controlling
• The group has a charismatic leader who is very manipulative
• The group’s leader(s) exert secrecy.
• The group’s leader(s) are thought to have a uniquely conscious relationship with God, The Masters, The Angels, the E.T.’s, etc.
• The group’s leader(s)  claim to have teachings and special knowledge that is exclusively their own. Their wisdom is “the highest, the most important, most effective, most challenging, most spiritual, most worthy of God’s grace, etc. etc.
• The group restricts interactions with people or events that are outside of it.
• The group discourages individual expression
• The group may demand conformity. Members often dress alike, look and speak alike.
• The groups leader(s) who make all the major decisions for the group are thought to be infallible.
• The group judges the outside world as dark, evil, ungodly, seductive and dangerous.
• Unreasonable and extreme sacrifices are expected of members.
• The groups leaders(s) make members dependent on them- emotionally and spiritually
• Members who  leave are shunned because they now pose a threat to the group.
• Abuse of members happens in the cult-monetary, physical, sexual and energetic. This abuse is denied, excused or minimized.
• Criticism of the group or its leader(s) is not tolerated.
• Some cults erode the self confidence of members so thoroughly that the idea of trying to make a life outside the group is frightening.
• The group may issue threats of violence to those who try to leave it. It might even commit violent acts to punish those who try to leave.

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