Low Risk Groups

Cults With a Little "c"

Some groups may attract the term "cult", they are not necessarily destructive or harmful. A group may hold quirky, strange, or even bizarre ideologies, but if no one is being harmed, then it's a matter of personal choice. Basic human rights affirm that everyone is entitled to "freedom of thought, conscience, and religion. This right includes freedom to change one's religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest one's religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship, and observance." This principle establishes the dividing line of "freedom of religion" (italic emphasis is mine).

Lutheran Church

Modern Wicca

Also known as Witchcraft, Witchery, The Craft, Paganism (though this term encompasses broader practices), and Neo-Paganism

Presbyterian Church

Also known as Reformed Church

Quakers

Also known as Religious Society of Friends

Reformed Judaism

Also known as Reform Judaism, Progressive Judaism, Liberal Judaism, Liberal Reform Judaism, Progressive Reform, and Judaism

Smartism

Also known as Smarta Tradition, Panchaayatana Puja, or Smarta Sampradaya

Theravada

Also known as Hinayana Buddhism, The Doctrine of the Elders, Southern Buddhism, Pali Buddhism, and Small Vehicle Buddhism

Uniting Church

Also known as UCA, Uniting, Uniting Community, or Uniting Congregation

Australian Aboriginal Communities

Church of England

Also known as the Anglican Church

Conservative Judaism

Also known as Masorti Judaism, Historical Judaism, or Traditional Judaism

Mahayana

Also known as The Great Vehicle, Bodhisattvayana, Northern Buddhism or Eastern Buddhism. Close affiliation with Zen Buddhism and Pure Land Buddhism:

Nikaya

Also known as Early Buddhism or Mainstream Buddhism; is part of Theravada Buddhism

Paganism in Australia

Also known as Wicca, Druidism, Heathenry, neo-pagan, or pre-Christian beliefs

Sedenborgian Church

Also known as The Church of New Jerusalem

Shaivism

Also known as Shaiva tradition, Shaiva Siddhanta, Shaivaite, Shaiva Sampradaya, and Shivaism

Sikhs

Also known as Sikhism, Sikh people, Khalsa, Panth, and Gurmukh

Sufi Islam

Also known as Sufism, Tasawwuf, Mystical Islam, Ihsan, Ruhaniyyat, or Tariqa

Vaihnavism

Also known as Vishnuism, Bhagavata tradition, Sri Vaishnavism, Pancharatra tradition, and Narayana tradition

Zoroastrian Community in Australia

Also known as Parsi

Dharmaguptaka

Also known as Dharmagupta

Vipassana in Australia

Also known as Insight Meditation, Mindfulness Meditation, Satipatthana, Anapanasati. or Panna

Anthroposophy

Also known as Waldorf or Steiner Philosophy

Eastern Orthodox Church

Also known as Orthodox Church, Greek Orthodox Church, Orthodox Christian Church, Orthodox Catholic Church, Eastern Christianity, Byzantine Church, and Holy Orthodox Church

Shai Islam

Also known as Shi'i, Shi'ism, Shiite Islam, or Shia Muslims

Sunni Islam

Also known as Ahl al-Sunnah wa'l-Jama'ah, Sunni Muslims, or Sunnism

Theosophy

Also known as Esoteric Christianity, Divine Wisdom, Theosophical Society, or Occult Philosophy

Support available for anyone impacted by a high-control groups or relationships, and want to speak to someone who understands coercive control and the road to recovery

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These assessments evaluate group dynamics, particularly patterns associated with coercive control. They are not determinations about whether any individual has or has not experienced trauma, abuse, or harm. Personal impact varies widely. Coercive control often develops through an accumulation of influences rather than a single event, though specific moments — such as discovering deception or betrayal — can themselves be deeply distressing or traumatic. If your experiences in a group have affected your wellbeing, support from a trauma-informed counsellor or therapist can be an important step toward understanding, healing, and regaining a sense of autonomy. Assessments provided here are conducted using Renée's Cult Ranking system and reflect her personal opinions, which are based on online sources and personal testimonies. Renée acknowledges that groups can change over time, for better or worse, and that individual experiences within any given group can vary. Renée is open to respectful discussions and encourages diverse perspectives to foster a better understanding of matters raised.

Recover From Coercive Control