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They call Trump Supporters a "Cult"...without even knowing what a cult is! Well I do...
Lenora Thompson, Writer ^ | 9/20/2020 | Lenora Thompson

Posted on 09/20/2020 7:17:32 AM PDT by Lenora Thompson

There are certain popular words these days that, once they are pinned on a person or institution, even if there isn't a morsel of truth in it, are automatically assumed to cancel them out...permanently. Words like...

Misogynist Racist Narcissist {Fill-in-the-blank} + "phobe" (Greek Φόβος: fear) Cult

That last word has been on my mind a lot lately. People sling it about quite casually without, I'm glad to say, really knowing what it means.

I say "glad" because their naïveté betrays that they've never been in a cult. Kudos to them.

But I have been. Twice. Neither time by choice. My first cult was my family who behaved more like a cult than a family. The second one was the denomination I was educated within. Along the way out of 'em, I learned a lot about cults and I believe we should be "impeccable in our word" before we lightly hang titles like "cult" on anyone or any movement.

Cult Criteria

"Cult" is a very specific term with a very specific set of criteria that must be met for the label "cult" to really apply. Since 2015, I've been using the excellent Cult 101 Checklist provided by the International Cultic Studies Association to figure out, for myself, what is or is not a cult. Here's the "lite" version of the checklist.

The group displays excessively zealous and unquestioning commitment to its leader and regards his belief system, ideology, and practices as the Truth, as law.

‪ Questioning, doubt, and dissent are discouraged or even punished.

‪Mind-altering practices (such as meditation, chanting, etc.) are used in excess and serve to suppress doubts about the group and its leader(s).

‪The leadership dictates, sometimes in great detail, how members should think, act, and feel.

‪The group is elitist.

‪The group has a polarized us-versus-them mentality, which may cause conflict with the wider society.

The leader is not accountable to any authorities.

The group teaches or implies that its supposedly exalted ends justify whatever means it deems necessary.

The leadership induces feelings of shame and/or guilt in order to influence and/or control members. Often, this is done through peer pressure and subtle forms of persuasion.

Subservience to the leader or group requires members to cut ties with family and friends.

‪The group is preoccupied with bringing in new members.

The group is preoccupied with making money.

Members are expected to devote inordinate amounts of time to the group and group-related activities.

Members are encouraged or required to live and/or socialize only with other group members.

The most loyal members feel there can be no life outside the context of the group.

To Be Fair

If you were to get your "facts" only from the Mainstream Media as Richard Weber clearly did when he wrote The Dangerous Cult of Trumpism for The Hays Daily News, I guess I could see how a Trump rally could appear like a cult meeting to a biased mind.

But to be fair, you would then have to apply the word "cult" to every political rally and every National Convention, for both parties, time immemorial. There's the chanting (of political slogans), the wearing of branded t-shirts, "Get out the Vote" crusades, campaign fundraising, the raa-raa camaraderie of like minds and the excitement when the presidential candidate finally mounts the podium on that final night of the convention to deliver his/her Acceptance Speech before a shower of balloons descends.

How I love it all! Yeah, obviously I'm the daughter of a Political Science Major and have adored watching both party's National Conventions since I was seven years old. That was the year Dukakis challenged Bush. Remember him?

Basically, if you hang the word "cult" on one party, to be non-partisan, you must then hang it on both parties.

Silent Majority

But I can tell you that "Trumpism" is about the furthest you can get from a "cult" if you're willing to observe it from a non-Mainstream Mediae-sque neutral viewpoint which Mr. Weber clearly is not.

A Trump Rally is the John and Jane Does of America collectively letting out a huge sigh of relief.

They go not because they're brainwashed but because they've been unbrainwashed, red-pilled, they've woken up, #walkway...however you want to phrase it.

It's a political rally, yes, but more in the sense of C. S. Lewis' quote, "Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another: What! You too? I thought I was the only one."

They were brainwashed for many years to believe that they were in the minority and that, regardless of whom they voted for, nothing would ever really change in Washington. Taxes and egregious laws like Obamacare would continue to grind them into financial ruin. That's where I was four years ago, paying almost $200/month for health insurance I couldn't afford to use. It was horrible.

These are the people of the Silent Majority. People who always felt alone. People who hopelessly cast their vote every four years for the "lesser of the weevils."

Meet John Doe

If you want to understand the so-called Cult of Trump, watch Frank Capra's 1941 movie Meet John Doe starring Gary Cooper and Barbara Stanwyck. That wasn't a cult either. It was a party!

Just like the Jane and John Does in that movie, Trump supporter come in droves to the rallies knowing they can't snag a seat inside, cognizant that they could watch via YouTube livestream from the comfort of their own living rooms, not to be cultish or elitist but to meet friends and no longer feel alone. They want to shake hands and chat with others who feel and believe as they always have. To tell Donald Trump, "We're with you, Mr. President. You proved you had our back for four years. We still have yours."

It's like John Doe said:

You know, I never thought much about people before.… You know, lately I've been watching them while I talked to them. I could see something in their faces.... Maybe they... [just] wanted somebody to say hello to.

Listen to what they shout. Rarely is it, "Trump, Trump, Trump" or "Trump, Pence, Trump, Pence." If Trump were really the "malignant narcissist" they claim, that would bother him. He'd try to get it started, but he doesn't. In fact, at the recent rally in Henderson, NV, he told the standing, excited crowd to sit down and relax.

No, shouting "Trump, Trump, Trump" was so 2016. Now it's just, "USA, USA, USA" and "FOUR MORE YEARS." Yep, that's chanted at every convention, regardless of party (the latter only if your candidate is up for re-election, obviously.)

If you disagree with Trumpers, you're still more than welcome. They may engage you in spirited discussion or challenge you, like C. S. Lewis' tutor "The Great Knock," to "clarify your terms" and make sure the facts on which you base your beliefs are solid, but that's about it. You're more 'n welcome as long as you're respectful.

Not Buying It Anymore

So please, Mainstream Media (and Mr. Weber,) don't insult our collective intelligence by slinging the loaded word "cult" willy-nilly, especially if you haven't been in one, don't know the criteria, don't substantiate your claims from unbiased sources and don't understand what's really going on.

Wait, you actually expected us to just take your word for it!?! "C'mon, man!" Americans have been red-pilled. We've woken up.

We don't believe you anymore.

** If you liked my article, please consider subscribing and supporting my writing. I'm 100% reader supported. Thank you! www.lenorathompsonwriter.com **


TOPICS: Government; Politics; Religion; Society
KEYWORDS: brainwashing; cult; indoctrinaton; liberalism; msm; tds; trump

1 posted on 09/20/2020 7:17:32 AM PDT by Lenora Thompson
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To: Lenora Thompson

EVERYTHING the left accuses the right of - is projection.

Everything.


2 posted on 09/20/2020 7:25:20 AM PDT by joethedrummer
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To: Lenora Thompson
>>Cult Criteria
>>"Cult" is a very specific term with a very specific set of criteria that must be met for the label "cult" to really apply. Since 2015, I've been using the excellent Cult 101 Checklist provided by the International Cultic Studies Association to figure out, for myself, what is or is not a cult. Here's the "lite" version of the checklist.
>> - The group displays excessively zealous and unquestioning commitment to its leader and regards his belief system, ideology, and practices as the Truth, as law.
>> - Questioning, doubt, and dissent are discouraged or even punished.
>> - ‪Mind-altering practices (such as meditation, chanting, etc.) are used in excess and serve to suppress doubts about the group and its leader(s).
>> - The leadership dictates, sometimes in great detail, how members should think, act, and feel.
>> - ‪The group is elitist.
>> - ‪The group has a polarized us-versus-them mentality, which may cause conflict with the wider society.
>> - The leader is not accountable to any authorities.
>> - The group teaches or implies that its supposedly exalted ends justify whatever means it deems necessary.
>> - The leadership induces feelings of shame and/or guilt in order to influence and/or control members. Often, this is done through peer pressure and subtle forms of persuasion.

(Paul Joseph Watson) Ritual Public Shaming (715,999 views - Sep 4, 2020)
"The Red Guards are back."

3 posted on 09/20/2020 7:32:47 AM PDT by a fool in paradise (Joe Biden- "First thing I'd do is repeal those Trump tax cuts." (May 4th, 2019))
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To: joethedrummer

Back in 2009 people thought it was funny, sweet, or revolting that children were being indoctrinated into the Obamajugend/Obama Youth sings songs to praise him every day in school “Mmmm mmmm mmmmmm”.

11 years later the Obamajugend are voting age and rioting in the streets.


4 posted on 09/20/2020 7:34:30 AM PDT by a fool in paradise (Joe Biden- "First thing I'd do is repeal those Trump tax cuts." (May 4th, 2019))
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To: joethedrummer

100% agree...and I’m doing to write an article about that very soon! Stay tuned...


5 posted on 09/20/2020 7:44:03 AM PDT by Lenora Thompson (Conservative essays with humor!)
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To: a fool in paradise

Paul Joseph Watson...THE BEST! And everything just sounds better with a British accent. :D


6 posted on 09/20/2020 7:52:38 AM PDT by Lenora Thompson (Conservative essays with humor!)
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To: Lenora Thompson

Good article, interesting approach. Never heard that CS Lewis quote.


7 posted on 09/20/2020 8:21:23 AM PDT by American in Israel (A wise man's heart directs him to the right, but the foolish mans heart directs him toward the left.)
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To: Lenora Thompson

Remember during King Barry’s reign the leftists had school children singing songs of praise for their man-god. Talk about cult.


8 posted on 09/20/2020 9:17:47 AM PDT by tflabo (Truth or tyranny)
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To: American in Israel

Thanks for your kind comment. You’ll find I quote from C S Lewis constantly. I often say he’s the only writer who made it okay to be a Christian and a human being at the same time. :)


9 posted on 09/20/2020 9:25:53 AM PDT by Lenora Thompson (Conservative essays with humor!)
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To: tflabo

No kidding! But there are none so blind as those who will not see.


10 posted on 09/20/2020 9:26:37 AM PDT by Lenora Thompson (Conservative essays with humor!)
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To: Lenora Thompson

There’s a You Tube video. Obama kids (change the world). Cultic ‘Brave New Age Communism’. Deceptive delusional leftists leading many astray.


11 posted on 09/20/2020 9:30:50 AM PDT by tflabo (Truth or tyranny)
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To: Lenora Thompson; joethedrummer
Lenora, congratulations on taking the front in the battle against narcissism.
jmo, I don't think we're 'all a little narcissistic', as you have written, rather I'd define it as ego - which is healthy (love others as you LOVE YOURSELF).

Narcissism is something else, and even it is had 'by degrees', there was once 9 characteristics, where if you had 5 or more, you ventured into the territory of personality disorder (NPD), or some writers call: malignant.

The main 'tell' of NPD is empathy - the LACK of it!

Witness one BHO, for instance, saying he wouldn't pay any attention ('who cares what he thinks') about Rick Perry because "half his state is on fire" (back in 2005 when Bastrop was burning).
Cold. No empathy. You could cite dozens of examples yourself I've no doubt!

Trump is NOT a narcissist.

In fact, the original narcissist was the supreme 'projectionist' - the father of lies. For what did he accuse God of? Of being 'unfair', 'unjust', and the IMperfect creator of a 'rigged' system - and see? didn't the rebellion of his creation prove him right?

Satan, Narcissists, Democrats ALL project. Why? Because there is no THERE, there.(only dreams and wishes of their evil fantasies).

12 posted on 09/20/2020 10:12:21 AM PDT by spankalib
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To: spankalib

You tell ‘em!! I love what you said. Over and over in the rallies, I see Trump’s deep empathy and when there’s a hurricane, he’s the first one there.

I just wrote this: http://www.lenorathompsonwriter.com/beyondnarcissism/our-god-given-american-freedoms-the-philosophy-inspiring-our-fight-against-narcissism

Whaddya think???


13 posted on 09/20/2020 1:51:56 PM PDT by Lenora Thompson (Conservative essays with humor!)
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To: Lenora Thompson

I wanted to take your short “Meet John Doe” part of your article, which is fantastic but too long for FB. It’s been so long that I’ve worked and preached about the “socialism” of America and only succeeded in getting accused of “you believe everything you read Mom”. Worked with Tea Parties trying to get some sense into the liberal cult. Voted best I could and this is what we get. Your writing is clear and the John Doe segment says what I would like to say to my children. I didn’t want to steal your work, so I didn’t.


14 posted on 09/20/2020 3:08:28 PM PDT by WVNan
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To: WVNan

Thank you so much!!! That parallels between Meet John Doe and what Donald Trump is doing leading, not really the Republican party, but the AMERICAN PARTY is uncanny. I live by the ideals in Frank Capra’s movies and they never let me down. :D


15 posted on 09/20/2020 4:48:14 PM PDT by Lenora Thompson (Conservative essays with humor!)
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