- Does
your group discourage doubts, criticism or ideas that differ from
their belief system?
Yes____No___
- Do
you tend to rationalize whatever the group does even when it goes
against your sense of right and wrong?
Yes___ No___
- Do
you often feel exhausted from lengthy group activities, meetings and
projects?
Yes___ No___
- Does
your group have its own unique words, cliches, slogans, chants, prayers
and doctrinal phrases that reinforce the group viewpoint?
Yes___ No___
- Are
doubts viewed as a lack of faith, dedication, commitment or disloyalty?
Yes___ No___
- Have
"your thoughts" become "the enemy?"
Yes___ No___
- Do
you often find yourself doing more and more things in the group or
because of group peer pressure that you would not have done on your
own?
Yes___ No___
- Does
your group publicly humiliate or criticize members?
Yes___ No___
- Does
your group have a system of punishments and rewards for behavior?
Yes___ No___
- Group
paranoia: Does your group obsessively think other groups or people
with different beliefs are out to get them?
Yes___ No___
- Does
the prospect of leaving your group seem scary, difficult?
Yes___ No___
- Do
you feel the need to leave in secret?
Yes___ No___
- Have
you been told something bad might happen if you leave?
Yes___ No___
- Does
your group/belief system think they have/are the only or highest truth,
or have the solution for the world’s problems?
Yes___ No___
- Are
your leader’s ideas or belief system considered beyond reproach or
sacred?
Yes___ No___
- Do
you follow a particular individual or belief system that requires
unquestioning obedience and loyalty?
Yes___ No___
- ) Do
members of your group feel specially chosen, superior, exclusive,
elite?
Yes___ No___
- Do
you feel the need to save or convert others to your belief system
or ideology?
Yes___ No___
- Is
your group secretive to outsiders about its inner workings, teachings,
activities or beliefs?
Yes___ No___
- Does
your group equate purity and goodness to being in your group, and
impurity or evil to those outside your group?
Yes___ No___
- Do
you place your group’s mission or agenda above your own goals and
ideals? Do group interests come before your own interest
Yes___ No___
- Do
you find yourself thinking in a we-they, us-versus-them mind set?
Yes___ No___
- Does
your group/system have a clear outside enemy?
Yes___ No___
- Do
you see less and less of your family and friends who do not belong
to your group or who do not subscribe to your group’s belief system?
Yes___ No___
- Does
your group use frequent public testimonials, confessions, or sharings
that reinforce the group’s mission or agenda?
Yes___ No___
- Is
communication within, into and out of your group controlled or censored
in any manner?
Yes___ No___
- Does
your group criticize, shun, abandon or demean individuals who leave
the group?
Yes___ No___
- Do
members seek approval or get permission from group leader(s) for personal
life choices?
Yes___ No___
- Do
you feel pressured to attend meetings, events, lectures, seminars?
And do you feel guilty if you don’t attend?
Yes___ No___
- Do
you feel pressured to give a portion of your income to the group,
or spend money on courses, books or special projects?
Yes___ No___
- Are
the group’s financial needs more important than your own economic
well-being?
Yes___ No___
- Does
your group discriminate against anyone regarding race, gender, belief,
or sexual orientation?
Yes___ No___
- Does
your group have a totalitarian structure: a strict, top-down centralized
control?
Yes___ No___
Do you
wonder if you have been in a destructive group?
Do you...
...have
difficulty forming new friendships and intimate relationships?
Yes___ No___
...have
low self-esteem, poor self-image or loss of identity?
Yes___ No___
...have
difficulty making simple decisions and choices?
Yes___ No___
...often
feel depressed, anxious and nervous?
Yes___ No___
...feel
isolated, lonely, guilty, cynical?
Yes___ No___
...feel
like you are just now growing up, becoming a mature adult?
Yes___ No___
...have
short-term memory difficulties?
Yes___ No___
...feel
you have nothing to believe in?
Yes___ No___
...often
feel anger and rage towards the group?
Yes___ No___
...have
nightmares or unpleasant dreams?
Yes___ No___
...find
it difficult or impossible to stop mental or other group ritualistic
practices?
Yes___ No___
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