How to Tell if a Church is a Cult

This article was co-written by me and a new friend on wikiHow so that my original one on Charismania would pass their standards for an article.  Praise God for her. :)   This is a very good final copy of it.  I like it. :)
  Churches are wonderful places to learn the teachings of your religion, pray, and have fellowship with others who share your beliefs. However, some churches often have a cult-like belief system that can be unpleasant to be a part of. Read on for some tips on how to recognize and avoid cult churches.

Steps
 1. Know how to recognize a cult.
Try to understand the beliefs, attitudes, and actions of a church's people and use discernment to see if there seems to be anything off about any of it. Cult-like churches will often have members with almost universal personalities and they constantly attempt to spread their religion. They might even shun people who do not share their beliefs.
2. Notice the people's attitudes towards non-members.
Some churches will shun non-members, either in small ways or larger ones. When you are there, observe if they are welcoming to you. Do they only welcome you if you agree with everything they teach and ostracize you if you don't? That is a definite sign of a cult.
These churches will discourage outside interaction or have very large parts of sermons reserved for 'regular members only'. While some religions do state that small parts of the sermon are for members of the church's religion or denomination only, this does not make that church a cult; however, if the entirety of the time spent at the church is time only for regulars, the church may be a cult.
3. Recognize habits and see if the members are controlling in any way.
Members of cult churches will often be pressured to do certain things. The leaders might state that you are not 'fully saved,' or something of that variety, until you do so a certain thing, even if that thing is not stated in the Bible or other holy book as necessary for salvation.
They will also frequently forbid exploration of different religious systems almost entirely. They do not encourage you to educate yourself. Some cult-like churches will even focus on more vulnerable and less intelligent people who may be easier to fool.
4. Notice repetition in what seems to be the main agenda of church leaders.
Often, cult-like churches will repeat a certain phrase over and over in almost every sermon so as to have a universal mindset on the given subject. These phrases can be taken from a religion's book, such as a Bible, or even made up or slightly twisted to give a different meaning.
Some churches will inflate the images of members to give an "I'm right" feeling, causing members to only want to associate with those like them in religious belief.
5. Notice personality changes in yourself or in other members.
Some churches will manipulate members without the people realizing it, or force members to do something through bullying.
They might also constantly request very large amounts of money for a tithe (while requesting a tithe is not cult-like, consistently demanding a very large one is) as well.

This constant manipulation can cause a member's personality to significantly alter, which is a signal to show that the church is dangerous. For example, a person might have more of an inability to say no to others after being in this church a long time. Churches may even shun or bully members who question their given messages, rather than calmly guiding them.
6. Notice how members act over time or directly after going to church. While it's normal for churches to suggest reading the religion's book and praying frequently, cult-like churches will have high standards.
Members may be expected to pray for hours per day or read the religion's book for long periods of time as well, punishing those who don't. Certain members will be 'raised' above others quite significantly and have the ability to do many more things than 'ordinary' members, and those special members will have to do certain things to 'truly save' another member, or the ceremony, prayer, etc. will be in vain.
Because of these pressures to be like the higher ones and meet standards, members tend to have a constant stress to get everything done.
7. Check to see if the church's messages appear like propaganda. The church may be making constant trips around the area to spread messages, frequently advertising, or go door-to-door to advertise their specific church.

Tips
Be very cautious around a member of a church you find suspicious.
Always stay educated, in your religion's teachings and in general, so that you will not be easily fooled by a cult-like church's teachings
Warnings
    Keep your guard up when talking to a member of a suspicious church. This person may attempt to force you to assume the same beliefs and become angry when you don't. Be patient and calm with this person.