Some groups may not fit the definition of a cult, but may pose potential risks for participants. Here are 10 warning signs of a potentially unsafe group or leader.
• Absolute authoritarianism without meaningful accountability.(1)
• No tolerance for questions or critical inquiry.(2)
• No meaningful financial disclosure regarding budget or expenses, such as an independently audited financial statement.(3)
• Unreasonable fear about the outside world, such as impending catastrophe, evil conspiracies and persecutions.(4)
• There is no legitimate reason to leave, former followers are always wrong in leaving, negative or even evil.(5)
• Former members often relate the same stories of abuse and reflect a similar pattern of grievances.
• There are records, books, news articles, or broadcast reports that document the abuses of the group/leader.(6)
• Followers feel they can never be "good enough".
• The group/leader is always right. (7)
• The group/leader is the exclusive means of knowing "truth" or receiving validation, no other process of discovery is really acceptable or credible.(8)