Cult Influence Quiz
In my group, questioning teachings is seen as ego, weakness, or lack of faith.
0 — Not true
1 — A little true
2 — Often true
3 — Very true
Doubt or disagreement is treated as something I must overcome, not something to explore.
0 — Not true
1 — A little true
2 — Often true
3 — Very true
I am encouraged to trust the teachings even when they do not fully make sense to me.
0 — Not true
1 — A little true
2 — Often true
3 — Very true
Outside viewpoints (books, media, former members) are seen as spiritually unsafe or misleading.
0 — Not true
1 — A little true
2 — Often true
3 — Very true
The group is spoken of as having a special or higher truth that other people do not yet see.
0 — Not true
1 — A little true
2 — Often true
3 — Very true
Leaders are described as having special access to wisdom, insight, or the divine that ordinary people do not.
0 — Not true
1 — A little true
2 — Often true
3 — Very true
I feel I should accept leaders’ guidance even when it goes against my own sense of what feels right.
0 — Not true
1 — A little true
2 — Often true
3 — Very true
When leaders are questioned, the focus goes to the questioner’s attitude, not the content of the concern.
0 — Not true
1 — A little true
2 — Often true
3 — Very true
Stories about leaders often highlight their greatness, sacrifice, or purity, more than their ordinary human side.
0 — Not true
1 — A little true
2 — Often true
3 — Very true
There is no neutral, safe person or process in the group to turn to if a leader harms or distresses someone.
0 — Not true
1 — A little true
2 — Often true
3 — Very true
My sense of being a good person is closely tied to how devoted I am to the group.
0 — Not true
1 — A little true
2 — Often true
3 — Very true
I worry that if my level of devotion drops, I will lose respect, closeness, or belonging.
0 — Not true
1 — A little true
2 — Often true
3 — Very true
When people leave, they are spoken of as lost, confused, negative, or in spiritual
0 — Not true
1 — A little true
2 — Often true
3 — Very true
I have felt pressure to show loyalty through sacrifice, extra service, or silence about my concerns.
0 — Not true
1 — A little true
2 — Often true
3 — Very true
I sometimes feel more like “a member” than like an individual with my own life and path.
0 — Not true
1 — A little true
2 — Often true
3 — Very true
Pushing through physical limits is praised as discipline, surrender, or spiritual strength.
0 — Not true
1 — A little true
2 — Often true
3 — Very true
Rest, time off, or protecting my energy sometimes feels selfish or “less committed.”
0 — Not true
1 — A little true
2 — Often true
3 — Very true
I have skipped sleep, meals, or basic self-care to meet group expectations.
0 — Not true
1 — A little true
2 — Often true
3 — Very true
People who say they are tired or burned out are often seen as not yet surrendered enough.
0 — Not true
1 — A little true
2 — Often true
3 — Very true
Giving money, possessions, or free labor to the group is described as devotion, purification, or service.
0 — Not true
1 — A little true
2 — Often true
3 — Very true
I have felt drawn to give more than I can comfortably afford, because it is framed as spiritually important.
0 — Not true
1 — A little true
2 — Often true
3 — Very true
People who give a lot of time or money are admired or brought closer to the inner circle.
0 — Not true
1 — A little true
2 — Often true
3 — Very true
My work, career, or financial choices are influenced by what will best serve the group.
0 — Not true
1 — A little true
2 — Often true
3 — Very true
There is not much open, detailed information about how group finances are handled or decided.
0 — Not true
1 — A little true
2 — Often true
3 — Very true
Physical or sexual closeness with certain people (often higher up) is described as a blessing, initiation, or special opportunity.
0 — Not true
1 — A little true
2 — Often true
3 — Very true
I have felt that saying yes to intimate or sexual contact is part of being surrendered, devoted, or spiritually open.
0 — Not true
1 — A little true
2 — Often true
3 — Very true
I have wondered whether I would lose closeness, grace, or status if I said no to an intimate request.
0 — Not true
1 — A little true
2 — Often true
3 — Very true
When there are concerns about sexual boundaries, they are sometimes reframed as ego, resistance, or misunderstanding on the part of the one who is uncomfortable.
0 — Not true
1 — A little true
2 — Often true
3 — Very true
Romantic or sexual relationships are influenced, matched, or discouraged based on what leadership thinks is spiritually best.
0 — Not true
1 — A little true
2 — Often true
3 — Very true
I am encouraged to share very personal thoughts, desires, or struggles so they can be corrected or purified.
0 — Not true
1 — A little true
2 — Often true
3 — Very true
After I disclose something vulnerable, I am not always sure who else will hear about it.
0 — Not true
1 — A little true
2 — Often true
3 — Very true
It sometimes feels like there is a “right” way to feel and think, and people notice when someone drifts from it.
0 — Not true
1 — A little true
2 — Often true
3 — Very true
Over time, rules and expectations about behavior seem to increase rather than soften.
0 — Not true
1 — A little true
2 — Often true
3 — Very true
There is a strong focus on purity, perfection, or alignment, rather than on ordinary human messiness.
0 — Not true
1 — A little true
2 — Often true
3 — Very true
I often watch myself carefully to avoid being seen as negative, weak, or in my ego.
0 — Not true
1 — A little true
2 — Often true
3 — Very true
I worry about disappointing leaders or senior members.
0 — Not true
1 — A little true
2 — Often true
3 — Very true
I sometimes hide anger, grief, attraction, or confusion so that I will not be seen as less evolved.
0 — Not true
1 — A little true
2 — Often true
3 — Very true
Approval, praise, or closeness from the group feels linked to how well I live up to its standards.
0 — Not true
1 — A little true
2 — Often true
3 — Very true
Parts of me feel pushed into the background because they do not fit the ideal image of a devotee or member.
0 — Not true
1 — A little true
2 — Often true
3 — Very true
People who deeply question the group are seen as influences to avoid.
0 — Not true
1 — A little true
2 — Often true
3 — Very true
I spend far less time with friends or family outside the group than I did before.
0 — Not true
1 — A little true
2 — Often true
3 — Very true
I worry I would be misunderstood if I tried to talk openly with outsiders about my real concerns.
0 — Not true
1 — A little true
2 — Often true
3 — Very true
When I imagine leaving, I am not sure who I would still have in my life.
0 — Not true
1 — A little true
2 — Often true
3 — Very true
Before big life decisions, I often ask myself what the group or leaders would want, more than what I want.
0 — Not true
1 — A little true
2 — Often true
3 — Very true
I sometimes tell myself that I am free, but my body feels tense or afraid when I imagine making my own choice.
0 — Not true
1 — A little true
2 — Often true
3 — Very true
I feel that if I stepped back or left, something very bad might happen to me spiritually, emotionally, or practically.
0 — Not true
1 — A little true
2 — Often true
3 — Very true
I have moments where I secretly imagine another life, and then quickly push the thought away.
0 — Not true
1 — A little true
2 — Often true
3 — Very true
It is hard for me to picture a path where I could step away and still be seen with kindness and respect.
0 — Not true
1 — A little true
2 — Often true
3 — Very true
Deep down, there is a part of me that feels something is not quite right here, even if I cannot fully name it.
0 — Not true
1 — A little true
2 — Often true
3 — Very true
Total Score
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