When approaching groups to work with, check that they are an ethical group.

This is a list created by Phil Hine.

1. Do most of the members strike you as weak, passive individuals who let one or two forceful people dominate the proceedings?
2. Does the group work entirely from a single set of teachings and not allow deviation from those principles or allow people to question them?
3. Does the group demand that you observe a number of strict rules, or attempt to interfere in your life outside the group (i.e. telling you to avoid certain people or not to read specific books)?
4. Do they insist that they are the best group to be in and that all others are second-rate?
5. Do they make it difficult for people to leave the group and, if people do leave, are they then demonised, i.e., made into enemies of the group?
6. Do they make all kinds of wild claims about how your life will be made better by being a member?
7. Is there a complex and rigid hierarchy, where high-ranking members have impressive titles and seem to be beyond criticism or censure by others?
8. Do they encourage members to demonstrate loyalty either by donating large amounts of cash to the group’s coffers or devoting a good deal of their spare time to unpaid work for the group?
9. Do they continually draw a distinction between themselves and the outside world, regarding themselves as superior initiates and depicting everyone else as ignorant?
10. Do they strongly discourage the voicing of dissident opinions in meetings, and label anyone who does speak out as immature, unbalanced or weak?