[Vision2020] Why Christ church Is Definitely A Cult

[Douglas Stambler]

From:  The Ross Institute
email: info@rickross.com     
URL: http://www.rickross.com

By Rick Ross, Expert Consultant and Intervention
Specialist 

Ten warning signs of a potentially unsafe
group/leader.

1.Absolute authoritarianism without meaningful
accountability. 

2.No tolerance for questions or critical inquiry. 

3.No meaningful financial disclosure regarding budget,
expenses such as an independently audited financial
statement. 

4.Unreasonable fear about the outside world, such as
impending catastrophe, evil conspiracies and
persecutions. 

5.There is no legitimate reason to leave, former
followers are always wrong in leaving, negative or
even evil. 

6.Former members often relate the same stories of
abuse and reflect a similar pattern of grievances. 

7.There are records, books, news articles, or
television programs that document the abuses of the
group/leader. 

8.Followers feel they can never be "good enough". 

9.The group/leader is always right.

10.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. 

2.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. 

3.Whenever the group/leader is criticized or
questioned it is characterized as "persecution". 

4.Uncharacteristically stilted and seemingly
programmed conversation and mannerisms, cloning of the
group/leader in personal behavior. 

5.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. 

6.Hyperactivity centered on the group/leader agenda,
which seems to supercede any personal goals or
individual interests. 

7.A dramatic loss of spontaneity and sense of humor. 

8.Increasing isolation from family and old friends
unless they demonstrate an interest in the
group/leader. 

9.Anything the group/leader does can be justified no
matter how harsh or harmful. 

10.Former followers are at best-considered negative or
worse evil and under bad influences. They can not be
trusted and personal contact is avoided. 

                                                   

                                                     
Copyright © Rick Ross

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