This article is shit.
There is one and only one good way to tell if you're in a cult. There are two steps:
Do they want to control your actions and beliefs? If some things are forbidden to say, think or do, that's a red flag. Yes, "initiations" that include this but leave full members free to think/act/say what they want count as red flags as well. EXCEPTION: saying, thinking or doing extremely harmful things. If the end result of your thoughts, actions or words is harm to others, any group is right to shut that shit down. Watch what happens if you spout some Nazi shit round these parts, for instance.
Do they leave open the possibility of being wrong? Note: they might say so and yet move goalposts. If they move goalposts for what constitutes them being wrong, and/or shut down any hint or suggestion they might be wrong, that's a red flag. There are NO exceptions. No one is right all the fucking time, end of story, and anyone claiming to be or making themselves out to be is something to run from if at all possible.
If you have both, it's a cult. Yes, this encompasses most organized religion, many political movements, etc. What most people think of when they think of "cults" is cults focused on short term gain/solutions. But these other groups use the exact same tactics to much longer term ends -- political control, societal influence, legacy. Ditch them all, you'll be better for it.
