By Rick Ross, Expert Consultant and Intervention Specialist
Ten warning signs of a potentially unsafe group/leader.*Absolute authoritarianism without meaningful accountability.
*No tolerance for questions or critical inquiry.
*No meaningful financial disclosure regarding budget, expenses such as an independently audited financial statement.
*Unreasonable fear about the outside world, such as impending catastrophe, evil conspiracies and persecutions.
*
There is no legitimate reason to leave, former followers are always wrong in leaving, negative or even evil.*Former members often relate the same stories of abuse and reflect a similar pattern of grievances.
*There are records, books, news articles, or television programs that document the abuses of the group/leader.
*Followers feel they can never be "good enough".
*The group/leader is always right.
*The group/leader is the exclusive means of knowing "truth" or receiving validation, no other process of discovery is really acceptable or credible.
Don't be naïve, develop a good BS Detector.You can protect yourself from unsafe groups and leaders by developing a good BS detector. Check things out, know the facts and examine the evidence. A safe group will be patient with your decision making process. If a group or leader grows angry and anxious just because you want to make an informed and careful decision before joining; beware.
[
culteducation.com]