You Know You’re in a Cult If: 10 Warning Signs for Both the Right and the Left

Note: Gen AI helped me come up with these signs, and a few might be a bit of a reach—or maybe I’m just that far gone, too. Lol!

🧠 Ever wondered if you and your passionate tribe of social media allies and “anti-bullies” might actually be crossing into cult territory? 🧟‍♀️🧟🧟‍♂️

The line between dedication and indoctrination can be deceptively thin—regardless of whether you lean left or right on the political spectrum. If you’re human, you likely aren’t immune.

You know what they say: there’s a little cultist inside everyone! 👼

1. There’s Only One Truth (And You Have It)

Your leaders have all the answers, and questioning them is basically heresy.

👈🏼 Left: All disagreement with our ideas is inherently oppressive, and any nuance is just a slippery slope to bigotry. Also, we might question your intelligence too.

👉🏼 Right: Our beliefs are the only morally correct ones. If you question them, you hate your country, our religion, and freedom itself, you pinko commie bastard!

2. The Outside World Is Evil

Friends and family just don’t get it. If they disagree, it’s not because they have different perspectives—it’s because they’re brainwashed.

👈🏼 Left: If you associate with so-and-so or read a book by an author who doesn’t align with our values, you’re complicit in harm and must be shunned. Off to the other side you go!

👉🏼 Right: The mainstream media, Hollywood, and universities are all brainwashing people against us—especially Taylor Swift!

3. Dissent Is Betrayal

You’re free to think for yourself, as long as you think exactly like the group. Otherwise, you’re a traitor, a sellout, or worse… ONE OF THEM!

👈🏼 Left: If you question any part of progressive ideology, you’re a secret bigot, suffering from internalized oppression, or need to check your privilege.

👉🏼 Right: If you criticize our movement, you’ve been brainwashed by the radical left and are a traitor to your values.

4. There’s Always a Scapegoat

Every problem can be blamed on an outside force: a shadowy enemy, an opposing group, or people who just won’t WAKE THE ‘F’ UP!

👈🏼 Left: Capitalism, systemic oppression, and historical injustices are the root of all problems. 🤷🏼‍♀️ (Aren’t these actually problems, though?)

👉🏼 Right: Globalists, deep state operatives, and radical leftists are destroying everything.

5. Your Leader Is Infallible

If they’re wrong, see point #1. Mistakes? Lies? Those are tricks from the enemy.

👈🏼 Left: This activist, politician, or intellectual is beyond reproach. Any criticism of them is an attack on progress itself.

👉🏼 Right: Our leader is a genius playing 4D chess, and any mistake is actually part of a brilliant master plan.

6. Sacrifice Is Required

Your time, money, and mental well-being must go toward the cause. Giving up relationships or job opportunities? Just proof of your loyalty!

👈🏼 Left: Cutting off family members who don’t align with progressive values is necessary self-care; your emotional labor should be dedicated to the movement.

👉🏼 Right: True patriots must financially support the cause and be willing to sacrifice career opportunities that conflict with group values.

7. Ex-Group Members Are Villains

If someone leaves, they were never really one of you. Expect them to be demonized, mocked, or completely erased.

👈🏼 Left: Anyone who moves away from progressive politics was privileged all along and never truly understood the struggle.

👉🏼 Right: Former members who criticize the group are sellouts who’ve been corrupted by the establishment—or were undercover agents all along.

8. Loaded Language and Thought-Stopping Clichés

Complex issues get boiled down to catchy phrases. No need for deep discussions when you have slogans!

👈🏼 Left: Just be on “the right side of history” and remember that “silence is violence.” No further explanation needed. Oh, and never forget “the personal is political.”

👉🏼 Right: “America First” and “Trust the Plan.” Questioning these principles means you don’t understand true patriotism.

9. Doom Is Always Around the Corner

The world is on the brink of disaster—but don’t worry, the group is the only thing standing between salvation and ruin.

👈🏼 Left: We’re mere years away from irreversible climate catastrophe and fascist takeover. Only our activism stands between humanity and extinction.

👉🏼 Right: The nation is moments away from collapse into socialism and moral decay. Only our movement can preserve freedom and traditional values.

10. You’re Told You’re Free (While Being Controlled)

Of course, you’re making your own choices! You just happen to only consume approved media, attend required events, and adopt the exact opinions dictated by the group. Totally normal.

👈🏼 Left: We celebrate independent thinking—as long as you arrive at the approved progressive conclusions and use the currently accepted terminology.

👉🏼 Right: We’re the true free thinkers—as long as you get your information exclusively from our approved sources and never question the leadership.

If you recognize most of these signs, well… good news! The first step to leaving a cult is realizing you’re in one.

The bad news? They probably warned you I’d say that. 😂

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re on the right or left, the pull of tribalism is real. It’s easy to get swept up in movements that feel righteous but ultimately demand unwavering loyalty, suppress critical thinking, and vilify outsiders.

So, maybe take a deep breath, touch some grass, and—just for fun—try disagreeing with your own side once in a while. See what happens.

After all, questioning everything is supposed to be a good thing, right?