Early Warning Signs of Involvement in a Dangerous Cult

These signs were copied from the Institute for First Amendment Studies, Inc.'s home page:
http://www.berkshire.net/~ifas/

They were intended to be a useful checklist to determine if you, a family member, or a friend has become involved in a destructive Bible based religious cult. However, it is applicable to non-Christian destructive cults as well.

Note that some of the following symptoms will be present to some degree in many churches, religious institutions, intentional communities, new religious movements, etc. When the symptoms become extreme, one should become concerned.

Signs of unhealthy involvement:

• Isolation from everyone or everything outside of the group and its control.
• A we/they mentality. All those outside the group are somehow negative or not equal; one must be a member. Partial commitment or belief is not tolerated (no shades of gray).
• Everything outside of the group is evil, of the devil, or worldly.
• Excessive fasting and praying, extreme tension or stress, which may result in eating disorders, chronic depression, acute anxiety, physical exhaustion, or illness.
• Hallucinations (i.e. visions or messages from God).
• Compulsively talking about the group, its leaders, and its doctrines. Repeatedly quoting certain scriptures emphasized by the group.
• Refusing to engage in conversation that may question the group and its leaders. Such criticism may even be characterized as satanic.
• Almost complete or total domination of the participant's time by the group. Attending Bible study, crusades, revivals, prayer meetings, services, or other group activities constantly. Little if any time is left for family, old friends, or other interests.
• The group discourages questions concerning its leaders or doctrines. Doubt may be equated to an attack by the devil upon the follower's mind.
• Compulsively and constantly witnessing their beliefs to everyone, often in a confrontational or extreme manner.