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Educational tool only. All groups exist on a spectrum of control. Individual experiences vary. Based on publicly available reports, ex-member accounts, court records, and expert analyses — not medical or legal advice.
The Cult-Like Control Index (CLCI) is a transparent 0–40 scoring framework based on Steven Hassan's BITE model. We rate religions, high-demand movements, and wellness groups across four categories — Behavior, Information, Thought, and Emotional control — plus modifiers. No blanket labels. Just evidence.
All findings derived from publicly available BITE assessments, court records, journalism, and ex-member testimony. Not medical or legal advice.
The Church of Scientology scores among the highest on the CLCI due to extensively documented behavior control, strict information suppression, and institutionalised exit costs including disconnection and financial escalation.
NXIVM and similar high-control wellness organisations combine multi-level marketing structures with intensive thought-reform programs, collateral-based coercion, and systematic identity replacement — placing them among the most documented high-demand groups.
Jehovah's Witnesses operate a well-documented high-demand structure including mandatory meeting attendance, strict shunning of disfellowshipped members, and centralised information control through Watch Tower Society publications.
Mainstream Theravada Buddhism scores at the lowest end of the CLCI for lay practice, with no institutional membership requirements, no exit costs, no information restrictions, and a doctrinal emphasis on personal inquiry and direct experience.
Reform Judaism scores at the low end of the CLCI, characterised by explicit emphasis on individual autonomy in practice, open engagement with secular scholarship, and absence of meaningful behavioral coercion or exit costs.
Mainstream Catholic parish practice scores low on the CLCI, functioning as the spectrum's moderate end: participation is largely voluntary, outside information is not restricted, and exit carries minimal formal social penalty in most cultural contexts.
Every score breaks down into Behavior, Information, Thought, and Emotional sub-scores plus signed modifiers — no hidden weights.
We cite court records, BITE assessments, peer-reviewed work, and ex-member testimony — never gossip.
We distinguish high-control sub-branches from broader traditions. Most members are not perpetrators — many are also harmed.
Take the 30-question self-assessment — it scores any group against the BITE framework in about 8 minutes. Or browse the comparison tool to see two groups side-by-side.