Posted on 05/16/2009 8:29:14 AM PDT by SWAMPSNIPER
Characteristics Associated with Cultic Groups - Revised Janja Lalich, Ph.D. & Michael D. Langone, Ph.D.
Concerted efforts at influence and control lie at the core of cultic groups, programs, and relationships. Many members, former members, and supporters of cults are not fully aware of the extent to which members may have been manipulated, exploited, even abused. The following list of social-structural, social-psychological, and interpersonal behavioral patterns commonly found in cultic environments may be helpful in assessing a particular group or relationship.
Compare these patterns to the situation you were in (or in which you, a family member, or friend is currently involved). This list may help you determine if there is cause for concern. Bear in mind that this list is not meant to be a “cult scale” or a definitive checklist to determine if a specific group is a cult. This is not so much a diagnostic instrument as it is an analytical tool.
The group displays excessively zealous and unquestioning commitment to its leader and (whether he is alive or dead) 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, speaking in tongues, denunciation sessions, and debilitating work routines) 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 (for example, members must get permission to date, change jobs, marry—or leaders prescribe what types of clothes to wear, where to live, whether or not to have children, how to discipline children, and so forth).
The group is elitist, claiming a special, exalted status for itself, its leader(s) and members (for example, the leader is considered the Messiah, a special being, an avatar—or the group and/or the leader is on a special mission to save humanity).
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 (unlike, for example, teachers, military commanders or ministers, priests, monks, and rabbis of mainstream religious denominations).
The group teaches or implies that its supposedly exalted ends justify whatever means it deems necessary. This may result in members' participating in behaviors or activities they would have considered reprehensible or unethical before joining the group (for example, lying to family or friends, or collecting money for bogus charities).
The leadership induces feelings of shame and/or guilt iin 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, and radically alter the personal goals and activities they had before joining the group.
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 (the “true believers”) feel there can be no life outside the context of the group. They believe there is no other way to be, and often fear reprisals to themselves or others if they leave (or even consider leaving) the group.
That’s what I was thinking — sounds like Obama Same-Thinkers..
Awfully close, heck — it is a dead-on match.
The democratic party hits every single bullet item dead on the head.
Maybe we should start pointing this out every chance we get.
"Mind-altering practices (such as meditation, chanting, speaking in tongues, denunciation sessions, and debilitating work routines) are used in excess and serve to suppress doubts about the group and its leader(s)."
Like shouting "Yes we can!" over and over and over again?
And repeating the mantra "Change We Can Believe in!" over and over again.
"Questioning, doubt, and dissent are discouraged or even punished."
I used to know some moonies who were “ordered” to get married to one another. They didn’t choose one another beforehand (didn’t know each other) but they got married, as ordered, in one of those mass ceremonies.
That, by itself, wasn’t so spectacular, as I had heard about those before, but what was interesting is that I met the guy at one of the local politician’s offices (one that I was volunteering to help). It was a local Republican and the moonie was helping with the campaign, too.
I even got sent to Miami for one of those big Moonie political conventions, and saw Fawn Hall and Lt. Colonel Oliver North. The moonies paid all expenses for the trip there and back again.
The moonies were sponsoring these political events for conservatives, at a rate of about 1/2 million in expenses per convention, all over the country. There were usually one or two a month, at that time.
And in another political event (a fundraiser for that local Republican), Lt. Colonel Oliver North was one of the featured speakers ($1,000 a plate dinner), and that particular Moonie political operative arranged for me to be there and meet (otherwise, I wouldn’t have been able to afford the $1,000... LOL...).
"The group is elitist, claiming a special, exalted status for itself,
its leader(s) and members (for example, the leader is considered
the Messiah, a special being, an avatar—or the group and/or
the leader is on a special mission to save humanity). "
http://canadafreepress.com/index.php/article/8510
*****Cult Leaders Make Lousy Presidents******
When Obamanutz comes out in July, there will be a lot of info about cults including Lalich’s work.
*sticks fingers in ears* O-ba-ma! *hip swivel* O-ba-ma! *hip swivel* O-ba-ma!
BOTLO for 'rats. They are dangerous.
Hmmmmmmm.....
Obamamaniacs please stand up
As a Byzantine Catholic, I meditate frequently. Our Sunday Liturgy is a chanted dialogue between the priest and the people. I have also been known to pray in tongues, and I am NOT a cultist.
These practices are just different enough from most common behaviors to cause suspicion, but the fact is that they are all legitimate Christian religious practices. Lumping those Christians among us who practice these things in our worship into your list of identifying characteristics of cultists does us a disservice.
An important, sometimes ignored element of cults that should be taken into consideration are things the cult does precisely because the cult membership *wants* it done that way.
That is, many cults would be much more mainstream, if that is what their followers wanted. But their followers want much more intensity. Even mainstream religions have to deal with a few followers who want to be fanatical and obsessive with their beliefs.
Institutionally, cults then have to juggle attracting new members versus satisfying existing members. Increasing control and introducing new ideas has to be done gradually to insure that new members become emotionally invested and not overwhelmed by new demands.
Cults then face an interesting crossroads. Either they keep radicalizing, and burn out; or they try to stabilize their beliefs, and risk schism from disappointed radicals.
Unfortunately, the phenomenon of "speaking in tongues" is not always genuine and there are heretical groups, such as the modern charismatics, that exploit that. So not all groups claiming to be Christian are entirely without questionable cult practices, just as a matter of historical record. But I am a Catholic Christian so if you took offense or thought the quoted passages from the article applied to you that was not my intention. Whether the authors adhere to such opinions, I don't know. We have enough problems with the Obama cult which was the focus of my post. It's terrible how they are using Notre Dame to further the Obama cult.
Notre Dame's Kabuki Dance with Obama and the Culture of Death
I see your point....
Points well taken. No attribution was given for the article. It’s easy to misunderstand things like tongues etc., and the presumption is nearly always that “different” equals “bad.” I hope you will forgive me for being a bit sensitive about these things, but my experience has always been that because I participate in them, I am crazy or worse. I hope you understand.
Thanks for the ping!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.