Free Republic Has Become a Cult

FR seems to have taken on many of the cult like attributes the cabal of anti-Mormon critics here ceaselessly and falsely subscribe to Mormons. I’ll follow the tactics of these folks in describing why FR is a cult. To start I’ll come up with my own definition of ‘cult’ and then follow up with a series of points selectively chosen to suit my own agenda. I’ll follow this model so as at to not confuse the usual suspects since the pattern of circular logic will be so familiar to them.

A ‘cult’ is defined as an organization that: - Bears consistent false witness against another group in order to provide a unifying sense to the members of the cult. Not content with legitimate, civil, discourse over theological differences, the members of the anti-Mormon cult here defame, lie, and consistently post increasingly ridiculous attempts to misrepresent the LDS faith. The most recent being the series of articles attempting to equate the LDS church with Islam. Some time ago the cult here celebrated having driven the majority of LDS FR members from the board so I can only surmise that they continue their efforts so they can chortle with their fellows and take comfort in the thought of having stuck it to those stupid Mormons, having once again proven how great a group of “Christians’ they are. - Cults do not tolerate any discussion that does not re-enforce the belief system of the cult. Incapable of standing on their own merit, the arguments and beliefs of the cult must never be allowed to be challenged. All dissenting voices must be silenced. This is best done by setting up all the rules in your favor and then silencing the opposition with ceaseless demands to ‘prove’ whatever you say is not correct, always with the understanding that the burden of ‘proof’ can never be met. Refuse to acknowledge any points made by the opposition as having even the remotest possible basis in truth, again with the understanding that you can always change the definition of truth as required since obviously your version of it must be true. Never concede even the most minor of points to the opposition, remember truth doesn't matter. - Cults encourage members to contribute money to them, but never give an accounting of how that money is spent. Those who question this practice are silenced. No one is allowed to question the demands of leadership and those who do are removed. $85,000 every quarter is a lot of money with no accountability. Like most cults FR encourages giving by appealing to a sense of belonging and group ethos. However, should you want to know where the money goes then you’re on shaky ground and in danger of excommunication.

FR seems to have become the very thing it claims to oppose. The current board, dominated as it is by a cabal of shrill anti-Mormons, has become nothing more than an anti-Mormon cult. I’ve watched this board degenerate over the past several years from what used to be a lively, thoughtful, conservative political commentary site to a shallow, groupthink, shadow if its former self, which is probably why no serious conservative can take it seriously any longer. So, one can only conclude that FR is a cult and that it is vital to get your friends and loved ones out as soon as possible. I’m considering following the example of the anti-Mormon cottage industry and write a tell-all book “My escape from the Cult of Free Republic”, after which I’ll go on the lecture circuit maybe. Until then I’ll have to be content with scaring my children with tales of “freepers”.

I proposed to JimRob that he draw a definite line between CINOs and principled conservatives for the sake of peace on both sides. His response seems to be... zotting Rogue Yam. Maybe you can make sense of it where I cannot.

My guess is that you’ll do what everyone else has done so far, just reply with some sop that shows that you read the first line or two but aren’t really interested in solving the problem.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2905011/replies?c=403

To: wolfcreek
Nothing has changed about my principles, ethics, or my relationship with God but you sure couldn’t tell it from the way I’ve been treated here lately. Why?
***My guess is that JimRob doesn’t want to open another heart-wrenching bugzapper thread. So he allows the RINO squishes to bash conservatives.
If it were me, I’d post a boundary establishing thread that draws the line for both sides. If you have decided for yourself to vote for Romney, that’s your own choice that we disagree with. If you’ve decided to write in a conservative, that is also your own choice. Each Freeper makes their choice and the choice is respected
But if you try to separate conservatives from their conservative beliefs on this conservative website to get them to vote for a librul like Romney, you’re a librul and you’ve crossed the line. Similarly, if you call the Romney voters something like ‘squishes’ or ‘cowards’ or CINOs or ‘libruls’ then you have also crossed the line. Anyone who crosses the line gets one warning, then a timeout.
Seems like a simple way to keep the peace during such a troublesome time that the choice is 2 babykilling libtards.

368 posted on 07/11/2012 8:30:11 AM PDT by Kevmo ( FRINAGOPWIASS: Free Republic Is Not A GOP Website. It’s A Socon Site.)
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To: Kevmo
If it were me, I’d post a boundary establishing thread that draws the line for both sides. If you have decided for yourself to vote for Romney, that’s your own choice that we disagree with. If you’ve decided to write in a conservative, that is also your own choice. Each Freeper makes their choice and the choice is respected.
I called directly to the top for this several months ago, as soon as it became clear that Romney was pulling away with the nomination.
I was told pointedly that there would be absolutely no room on FR for those who thought supporting the GOP nominee was best for America.
Then there was the so-called “truce” that was utterly ill-formed and incoherent and failed to address any of the real issues at hand.
Now here we are, doing what we’re doing.
Oh, well. At least we’re making the DUmmies, the commies, Team Obama, the rent-seekers, the moochers, and the jihadis happy.

403 posted on 07/11/2012 11:08:13 AM PDT by rogue yam

To: rogue yam; Jim Robinson
Well, this is interesting. We’ve got a RINO squish agreeing with a hold-your-ground Conservative agreeing with eachother on how this situation should be handled on Free Republic.

540 posted on 07/11/2012 5:03:37 PM PDT by Kevmo ( FRINAGOPWIASS: Free Republic Is Not A GOP Website. It’s A Socon Site.)
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http://www.freerepublic.com/~rogueyam/

This account has been banned or suspended.

[A ‘cult’ is defined as an organization that: - Bears consistent false witness against another group in order to provide a unifying sense to the members of the cult.]

Hmmm. that definition appears to apply to Mormonism.
Actually, if history is any guide, Mormons always run themselves out of town. It started with Kirtland, then Far West, Then Nauvoo until they finally isolated themselves in Utah. Does anyone see a pattern here?
And it is always the fault of the evil intolerant Gentiles, never of Mormons themselves. Gee, that game never gets old.
I predicted this scenario a long time ago on Free republic, history is simply repeating itself. Mormons rely on their ability to ostracize Themselves from fellow humans by claiming victim status (it enforces group solidarity). Not only does this repeat itself in their macro history, but I’ve seen it happen repeatedly in personal encounters in very Mormon Las Vegas.
Isn’t it curious how this happens over, and over, and over?

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