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Cults and how to avoid them

Is life getting you down so much you feel drawn towards religion? Don't worry, you're not alone. There are literally millions of others in the same boat. But as in all walks of life, demand spurs an increase in supply. And not all of those in the belief business have your best interests at heart. You wouldn't buy a washing machine without comparing different makes and retailers, and surely choosing a spiritual path to follow is the same.

When considering following a religion, most people already have some idea of which of the basic tenets they are interested in, be it Christianity, Islam, Paganism, Buddhism or whatever. Having made that basic decision, sooner or later, the aspirant worshipper is then faced with a further choice: which variety of their chosen religion to follow. Each of the major religions has a vast number of versions, or sects, available to choose from. And getting the choice wrong can have profound affects on your life.

So how do you choose the right sect and avoid any of the slightly dodgier cults which may result in premature death? Here is a simple "cult" test for any religion which you are considering joining. Answer the questions by clicking on the appropriate reply - when you reach the bottom, click "results" to find out whether you are about to join, or already have joined, a dangerous religious cult.

1. You are thinking about joining a religion. How did you hear about it?
seeing it on Songs of Praise
a friend or relative told you about it
you just wandered into the church/temple/mosque one day out of curiosity
a leaflet given to you by a person on a busy high street
a person knocking on your door and telling you about it
seeing it in an Al Qaeda video
the voice of God told you to do it
something else we haven't thought of

2. How much are you expected to give to your religion if you join?
a donation when you attend, if you can afford to
a regular donation, as much as you can afford
a tenth of your monthly income
all your worldly goods
all your worldly goods and your wife
all your worldly goods, your wife and you must be prepared to blow yourself up

3. Who runs the religion you are considering joining?
an oldish chap who has worked his way up through the ranks of priesthood and been chosen by the Queen to run the religion
an oldish chap who has worked his way up through the ranks of priesthood and been chosen by his peers to run the religion
a man who had a vision one day and wants to share it by sleeping with as many women as possible
a man who fell out with other religious leaders and decided to start his own sect
an arms dealer
a man with a fleet of Rolls Royces driven by scantily clad nubile young women

4. You have changed your mind and no longer want to be a part of your chosen religion. What do you have to do to leave?
just not turn up anymore
out of courtesy, so nobody's worried, send a short apologetic note
change the locks
leave the area
leave the country and seek an injunction
leave the country, seek an injunction, get a new identity and possibly plastic surgery
blow yourself and a number of other people up in a public place

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