Ten warning signs of a potentially unsafe group/leader.
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Absolute authoritarianism without meaningful accountability.
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No tolerance for questions or critical inquiry.
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No meaningful financial disclosure regarding budget, expenses such as an independently audited financial statement.
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Unreasonable fear about the outside world, such as impending catastrophe, evil conspiracies and persecutions.
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There is no legitimate reason to leave, former followers are always wrong in leaving, negative or even evil.
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Former members often relate the same stories of abuse and reflect a similar pattern of grievances.
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There are records, books, news articles, or television programs that document the abuses of the group/leader.
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Followers feel they can never be "good enough".
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The group/leader is always right.
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The group/leader is the exclusive means of knowing "truth" or receiving validation, no other process of discovery is really acceptable or credible.
Ten warning signs regarding people involved in/with a potentially unsafe group/leader.
1.Extreme obsessiveness regarding the group/leader resulting in the exclusion of almost every practical consideration.
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Individual identity, the group, the leader and/or God as distinct and separate categories of existence become increasingly blurred. Instead, in the follower's mind these identities become substantially and increasingly fused--as that person's involvement with the group/leader continues and deepens.
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Whenever the group/leader is criticized or questioned it is characterized as "persecution".
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Uncharacteristically stilted and seemingly programmed conversation and mannerisms, cloning of the group/leader in personal behavior.
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Dependency upon the group/leader for problem solving, solutions, and definitions without meaningful reflective thought. A seeming inability to think independently or analyze situations without group/leader involvement.
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Hyperactivity centered on the group/leader agenda, which seems to supercede any personal goals or individual interests.
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A dramatic loss of spontaneity and sense of humor.
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Increasing isolation from family and old friends unless they demonstrate an interest in the group/leader.
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Anything the group/leader does can be justified no matter how harsh or harmful.
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Former followers are at best-considered negative or worse evil and under bad influences. They can not be trusted and personal contact is avoided.