Am I in a Cult Quiz
Questions: 15 · 10 minutes
1. If the group asks members to fast, take a substance, endure discomfort, or perform a demanding physical practice, how voluntary is participation?
Refusal is accepted without punishment or loss of standing.
I have been forced to participate or have been physically harmed by the practice.
There is noticeable social pressure, but I can decline.
Refusal brings serious shame, threats, penalties, or pressure to continue through pain or illness.
2. What expectations exist around your private messages, calls, or online activity?
I am sometimes asked to share more than I would prefer, but refusal is accepted.
I am expected to show messages, report contacts, or share my location.
My communications are private, and I choose what to share.
My devices or accounts are searched, controlled, confiscated, or used without meaningful consent.
3. Have leaders or members used physical intimidation or punishment to enforce compliance?
I have been hit, restrained, injured, or subjected to forced physical punishment.
No physical punishment or intimidation has occurred.
I have witnessed rough or intimidating conduct that made me question what might happen.
Someone has threatened force, blocked my path, or used intimidating physical proximity.
4. How does the group affect your relationships with people outside it?
Leaders discourage certain relationships and repeatedly push me to reduce contact.
I can maintain outside relationships without group interference.
Group activities sometimes crowd out outside contact, but I can set limits.
I am ordered, threatened, monitored, or punished for maintaining outside relationships.
5. How are people outside the group generally described?
They are often described as misguided, and close contact with them is discouraged.
They are treated as varied individuals who may have reasonable perspectives.
I am told that closeness with outsiders will bring disaster, condemnation, or severe consequences.
There are occasional dismissive jokes or broad stereotypes about outsiders.
6. How are basic needs such as sleep, food, medication, or healthcare handled during group activities?
My needs are generally respected, though I sometimes feel subtle pressure to push past them.
I am pressured to miss sleep, food, medication, or care even when it affects my wellbeing.
I can attend to these needs or leave without punishment.
Necessary food, rest, medication, or care is deliberately withheld, or I am forced to go without it.
7. Does the group control anything you would need to live independently or leave?
The group holds or controls my identification, money, transportation, housing, work, or essential accounts so that leaving is extremely difficult.
My essential documents, money, accounts, housing, and transportation remain under my control.
Some practical arrangements depend on the group, but I have realistic alternatives.
Several essentials depend on the group, and attempts to regain control meet resistance or pressure.
8. What happens when you cannot provide the time or unpaid work the group requests?
My limits are accepted, even if the group expresses disappointment.
I am threatened, trapped, or forced to work, including while ill or exhausted.
I can decline or reduce my contribution without consequences.
Refusal leads to humiliation, punishment, loss of standing, or relentless pressure.
9. When the group makes an important factual claim, how free are you to check independent sources?
I mostly use group materials because they are convenient, though alternatives are available.
Independent checking is forbidden, blocked, or punished.
I can compare sources and reach my own conclusion without consequences.
Outside sources are portrayed as corrupt or dangerous, and I am pressured to avoid them.
10. What response would you expect if you decided to leave the group?
People might be disappointed, but I could leave without organized retaliation.
I could leave and maintain contact with anyone who freely wished to stay in touch.
I would expect shunning, public humiliation, spiritual threats, financial retaliation, or interference with family relationships.
I have been threatened with ruin, loss of housing or livelihood, fabricated allegations, or severe retaliation if I leave.
11. How much control do you have over leaving a meeting, residence, retreat, or other group setting?
Schedules or expectations can make leaving awkward, but I can still go.
I can leave when I choose and arrange my own movement.
I have been confined, transported against my will, or physically prevented from leaving.
People monitor, escort, block, or strongly pressure me when I try to leave.
12. When making a major personal decision—such as where to live, work, study, or seek care—what role does the group play?
I am expected to seek approval, and choosing differently brings sustained pressure or penalties.
I decide for myself and can consider advice without consequences.
The group gives strong advice, but I can choose differently without retaliation.
The decision is made for me, or I am forced or threatened into complying.
13. What usually happens when you openly disagree with a group teaching or decision?
Disagreement is discussed without punishment or pressure to recant.
It is technically allowed, but the reaction can feel tense or disapproving.
I am repeatedly pressured to confess, apologize, or change my view.
I face threats, punishment, humiliation, or isolation for disagreeing.
14. How does the group handle requests for money, donations, or transfers of personal assets?
Contributions are optional and transparent, and refusal has no social penalty.
Requests are frequent or emotionally charged, though I can still refuse.
I face shame, status loss, or repeated pressure if I do not give.
I am forced or deceived into giving, or expected to surrender money needed for basic living.
15. When a leader or senior member asks for a personal favor that mainly benefits them, how easy is it to refuse?
Refusal is accepted without affecting my standing.
I have been coerced, deceived, or forced into providing labor, money, access, or another personal benefit.
I feel some obligation because of their role, but a clear refusal is respected.
Refusal leads to guilt, repeated demands, loss of opportunities, or punishment.