Have I Been Culted?

Quick Check

Mark anything that resonates. The more items fit, the more caution you should take.

• Love‑bomb ➜ Intense praise or attention early, then withdrawal to control behavior.
• Isolation ➜ You’re pushed to cut off family/friends or “non‑believers.”
• Us vs. Them ➜ Outsiders are mocked, demonized, or called “unsafe.”
• Authority blur ➜ One leader or inner circle decides what’s true, good, or allowed.
• Moving goalposts ➜ Standards shift so you’re never “good enough.”
• Secrecy ➜ Pressure to hide teachings, finances, or member treatment.
• Financial control ➜ Tithes/fees/“investments” feel mandatory or guilt‑driven.
• Thought‑stopping ➜ Doubt = betrayal. Questions are punished, not welcomed.
• Confession as leverage ➜ Private info later used to shame or coerce.
• Exploitation ➜ Unpaid labor, sleep deprivation, or unsafe assignments.

This checklist is inspired by established research on coercive control, undue influence, and destructive groups. If multiple items ring true, consider a safe exit plan and talk to a professional.

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