ogtumble:

In 1979, Isaac Bonewits constructed an evaluation tool which he came to call the “Advanced Bonewits’ Cult Danger Evaluation Frame” or the “ABCDEF” (because evaluating these groups should be elementary). A copy was included in that year’s revised edition of his book, Real Magic. He realized its shortcomings, but felt that it could be effectively used to separate harmless groups from the potentially dangerous ones and distinguish harmful ones from those that are merely unusual to the observer.

The ABCDEF had been used by the Federal Bureau of Investigation in its Meddigo Report on Bible-based cults (which really bothered some members of the Religious Reich). It was also used by by the government of the Union of South Africa, in its report on minority religions. This latter led to the legalization of same-sex marriage there. It has appeared in a few books by other Pagan authors as part of discussions about choosing ethical teachers and groups. [The foregoing paragraphs were adapted from Neopagan.net]

It is both instructive and enlightening to use this tool to evaluate both religious and secular groups — especially in view of recent statements by Trump’s campaign and White House.

The ABCDEF