For nervous Newbies & Lurkers

Will Power

Just in case there are newbies and lurkers that are terrified of being caught reading or posting here,
the following are simple yes/no questions that might get you on the road to recovery.....

I forget where I got it - thanks to anyone who can post the credit.

1. Does your group discourage doubts, criticism or ideas that differ from their belief system?
Yes____No___

2. Do you tend to rationalize whatever the group does even when it goes against your sense of right and wrong?
Yes___ No___

3. Do you often feel exhausted from lengthy group activities, meetings and projects?
Yes___ No___

4. Does your group have its own unique words, cliches, slogans, chants, prayers and doctrinal phrases that reinforce the group viewpoint?
Yes___ No___

5. Are doubts viewed as a lack of faith, dedication, commitment or disloyalty?
Yes___ No___

6. Have "your thoughts" become "the enemy?"
Yes___ No___

7. Do you often find yourself doing more and more things in the group or because of group peer pressure that you would not have done on your own?
Yes___ No___

8. Does your group publicly humiliate or criticize members?
Yes___ No___

9. Does your group have a system of punishments and rewards for behavior?
Yes___ No___

10. Group paranoia: Does your group obsessively think other groups or people with different beliefs are out to get them?
Yes___ No___

11. Does the prospect of leaving your group seem scary, difficult?
Yes___ No___

12. Do you feel the need to leave in secret?
Yes___ No___

13. Have you been told something bad might happen if you leave?
Yes___ No___

14. Does your group/belief system think they have/are the only or highest truth, or have the solution for the world’s problems?
Yes___ No___

15. Are your group’s ideas or belief system considered beyond reproach or sacred?
Yes___ No___

16. Do you follow a particular individual or belief system that requires unquestioning obedience and loyalty?
Yes___ No___

17. Do members of your group feel specially chosen, superior, exclusive, elite?
Yes___ No___

18. Do you feel the need to save or convert others to your belief system or ideology?
Yes___ No___

19. Is your group secretive to outsiders about its inner workings, teachings, activities or beliefs?
Yes___ No___

20. Does your group equate purity and goodness to being in your group, and impurity or evil to those outside your group?
Yes___ No___

21. Do you place your group’s mission or agenda above your own goals and ideals? Do group interests come before your own interest
Yes___ No___

22. Do you find yourself thinking in a we-they, us-versus-them mind set?
Yes___ No___

23. Does your group/system have a clear outside enemy?
Yes___ No___

24. Do you see less and less of your family and friends who do not belong to your group or who do not subscribe to your group’s belief system?
Yes___ No___

25. Does your group use frequent public testimonials, confessions, or sharings that reinforce the group’s mission or agenda?
Yes___ No___

26. Is communication within, into and out of your group controlled or censored in any manner?
Yes___ No___

27. Does your group criticize, shun, abandon or demean individuals who leave the group?
Yes___ No___

28. Do members seek approval or get permission from group leader(s) for personal life choices?
Yes___ No___

29. Do you feel pressured to attend meetings, events, lectures, seminars? And do you feel guilty if you don’t attend?
Yes___ No___

30. Do you feel pressured to give a portion of your income to the group, or spend money on courses, books or special projects?
Yes___ No___

31. Are the group’s financial needs more important than your own economic well-being?
Yes___ No___

32. Does your group discriminate against anyone regarding race, gender, belief, or sexual orientation?
Yes___ No___

33. Does your group have a totalitarian structure: a strict, top-down centralized control?
Yes___ No___

Do you wonder if you have been in a destructive group?
Do you...

...have difficulty forming new friendships and intimate relationships?
Yes___ No___

...have low self-esteem, poor self-image or loss of identity?
Yes___ No___

...have difficulty making simple decisions and choices?
Yes___ No___

...often feel depressed, anxious and nervous?
Yes___ No___

...feel isolated, lonely, guilty, cynical?
Yes___ No___

...feel like you are just now growing up, becoming a mature adult?
Yes___ No___

...have short-term memory difficulties?
Yes___ No___

...feel you have nothing to believe in?
Yes___ No___

...often feel anger and rage towards the group?
Yes___ No___

...have nightmares or unpleasant dreams?
Yes___ No___

...find it difficult or impossible to stop mental or other group ritualistic practices?
Yes___ No___

This quiz has no scientifically predetermined number of "yes" answers to indicate a distructive or dangerous high control group.
However, answering "yes" to any of the above questions means you may need to examine your group and its influence in your life in those areas.

wp

Will Power

\How can I move this to the "friends" area?

tetrapod.sapien

nice Will, thanks! i've been out mentally for almost a year now, but i enjoyed that post.

TS

Lady Lee

I have moved your thread to the Friends section of the board.

good list - thanks

Dimples

Great list Will, Hopefully that will get to the eyes that need it.

DIMPLES

AK - Jeff

Good list, WP.

I was amazed how many 'yes' I could answer.

Fully compressed witnesses would regard even the list as an attack from Satan. Or would justify their false answers to protect the organization in their minds.

Jeff

Will Power

thanks lady lee

Jeff: I think that was question #2?

wp

kwintestal

Fully compressed witnesses would regard even the list as an attack from Satan. Or would justify their false answers to protect the organization in their minds.

You're right, they would too.

Good list!

Kwin

jwfacts

When I was a witness every list like this and any information of cults seemed to be a personal attack on JW's. Little did i realise that they are written for people in general, there are numerous cults similar to the witnesses.

diamondblue1974

This is a fantastic list and one I know someone will be able to derive some benefit from....thanks for sharing.

DB74

For nervous Newbies & Lurkers

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