Many times the cult’s rules are pointless and exist only to ensure the allegiance of the members. Common cult rules include having to be subservient to the leadership, being barred from talking to anyone outside of the cult, and requirements to drastically change your lifestyle. Be particularly aware of “prosperity theology”,[3] X Research source which essentially states that financial blessings and physical well-being are part of God’s plan for the church’s followers, and often encourages tithing to the church. It has been criticized as exploitative of the poor, and several churches which teach prosperity gospels have been mired in financial fraud cases.

This type of activity is often designed to train you not to fight back, to ignore your intuition, and to turn you into a stoic and placid individual. [7] X Expert Source Natalie Feinblatt, PsyDClinical Psychologist Expert Interview. 30 July 2021.

Usually, these prophecies will come from a human leader of the church and are not based on religious text.

Typically cults will draw you in at first and you’ll find out about the mandatory isolation later.

This could also manifest in intolerance for others outside of the cult.

Cults usually have a group of leaders whose main goal is to gain wealth, power, and influence.

If the leader of the church is hyper sensitive, requires constant admiration, humiliates people in public, has a grandiose sense of self, or requires sexuals acts from the church’s membership, there’s a very high likelihood that this person is a cult leader. Various leaders of different cults often have very similar personality traits. Be wary of leaders who have absolute power and who are exorbitantly wealthy. [12] X Expert Source Natalie Feinblatt, PsyDClinical Psychologist Expert Interview. 30 July 2021.

Common hypnosis techniques include repetitive music and patterned paced speaking that can put people into a trance.

Real churches will have explanations for their rules or can point to some form of scripture or text that explains the rules.

If a church prevents you from reading critical literature, it’s a sign that the church is a cult.

You can say something like, “Hey, do you think this new church I’m going to is strange? I’ve been thinking that it might be a cult. What do you think?”

It may be harder to recognize if your church is a cult if you’re currently a member of the church.