cult characteristics

Katzpur · Jan 8, 2007

exit_and_how said:
cults may try to remove from publication any material that criticizes the group or exposes negative aspects of it.

On the other hand, anti-cult groups frequently publish material that intentionally distorts the beliefs and practices of any religion they consider to be a cult. It's little wonder that the "supposed" cult fights back.

Cults may also try to make their publications mainstream - for example, placing them in public libraries.

And "real" Christians put any published material by those whose beliefs they disagree with in the "Cult Section" of their bookstores.

Booko · Jan 8, 2007

exit_and_how said:
here's another characteristic:

cults may try to remove from publication any material that criticizes the group or exposes negative aspects of it. Cults may also try to make their publications mainstream - for example, placing them in public libraries. These groups would also try to get their agendas put into schools - public or private.

Great. By this definition, some Baptists are members of cults. :areyoucra

Where exactly are you going with this thread?

Booko · Jan 8, 2007

Katzpur said:
And "real" Christians put any published material by those whose beliefs they disagree with in the "Cult Section" of their bookstores.

Yup. There's a reason I haven't shopped at Waldenbooks in years. They put Judaism and Christianity in Religion and everything else in Philosophy or New Age.

cardero · Jan 9, 2007

Booko said:
Yup. There's a reason I haven't shopped at Waldenbooks in years. They put Judaism and Christianity in Religion and everything else in Philosophy or New Age.

Or the Spiritual section. I seemed to have created a new category when I placed my book in bookstores. Now they have an "Other "isms section.

exit_and_how · Jan 14, 2007

the Eagles song "Hotel California" could be about a cult. What do you think?

"you can check out any time you like, but you can never leave."

"wake you up in the middle of the night...just to hear them say..."

Bishka · Jan 14, 2007

exit_and_how said:
the Eagles song "Hotel California" could be about a cult. What do you think?

"you can check out any time you like, but you can never leave."

"wake you up in the middle of the night...just to hear them say..."

wikipedia said:
Hotel California touched on many themes, including innocence (and the loss thereof), addiction to drugs, death, the dangers, temptations, and transient nature of fame, shallow relationships, divorce and loss of love, the end results of manifest destiny, and the "American Dream".

link here

From what I understand that part of the song is reffering to drug addiction and their personal feelings behind drug addiction. Basically they are saying, you can check out anytime, but you will alawyas be addicted and the slightest mistake will send you back to that addiction.

IanAlmighty · Jan 14, 2007

Nah. Hotel California was inspired by the famous french play 'No Exit.'

Snowbear · Jan 14, 2007

beckysoup61 said:
It's about drugs and the adiction to them. Basically they are saying, you can check out anytime, but you will alawyas be addicted and coming back for more drugs.

Are you implying that someone once addicted to a drug can never break the addiction and leave that lifestyle?

Ãanisty · Jan 14, 2007

Snowbear said:
Are you implying that someone once addicted to a drug can never break the addiction and leave that lifestyle?

Becky's not implying anything. That's just how the song goes.

Booko · Jan 14, 2007

cardero said:
Or the Spiritual section. I seemed to have created a new category when I placed my book in bookstores. Now they an "Other "isms section.

Oh, I had no idea that they've created another section. Well, it's not like I've been in one of their stores in years to notice.

There are a few companies who tick me off on a level that I'm basically done with them.

Booko · Jan 14, 2007

exit_and_how said:
the Eagles song "Hotel California" could be about a cult. What do you think?

It could be about a lot of things. It could be about addiction, for all I know.

"you can check out any time you like, but you can never leave."

I always took "check out" to be a reference to death, which now that I think about it is often a result of addiction.

"wake you up in the middle of the night...just to hear them say..."

That's seems a bit thin.

exit_and_how · Jan 20, 2007

in a recent cultic studies newsletter, there is an article
with the title

"A Workshop for People Born or Raised in Cultic Groups"

link:
http://www.icsahome.com/infoserv_articles/mccabe_kelley_sgaworkshop_en06.01.htm

interesting....and written by people who obviously know what they are
talking about (Ph.D and others).

jkdenm · Jan 26, 2007

that link isn't really an article - it's an announcement to a workshop...

and also, just because a PhD has his name on the paper doesn't mean
that person had anything to do with it.

and at the end, it does say "The SGA workshop provides help for a handful of
lucky cult survivors. Its not enough, but it is a start." Meaning to me that
it may not be sufficient in helping someone get out completely.

eudaimonia · Jan 30, 2007

Booko said:
I would like you to explain the presence of these groups on this site's list of cults:

Amish
Asatru
Baha'i
Christian Science
Deepak Chopra (thought he was a guy, not a group)
Falun Gong
Messianic Jews
Jews for Jesus
Mormons
Neopaganism
Theosophy

I have found that, ironically, some of the most cultish people are... people who are anti-cult, such as people impressed by Michael Shermer. It's bizarre, but true.

eudaimonia,

Mark

exit_and_how · Feb 2, 2007

an announcement for a workshop entitled
"Surviving and Moving On After a High Demand Group Experience"

http://www.icsahome.com/infoserv_conferences/Workshops/2007_SGA_CT.htm

jkdenm · Feb 15, 2007

what does it mean "high demand group experience"?
what is "high demand"?

PHOTOTAKER · Feb 16, 2007

what i find about "cults" to be disterbing is that any group could be a "cult" even a country can be a "cult" based off of what has ever been said. "cult" is diffenitly way over used, a person that is devoted to a faith can be concetered a "cult" follower based off of how devoted this person is even thought the church might be a good church teaching respic and agency. i thank there need to be a new list of words that spificly targets certion aspecis of these group by the example given groups like Mormons teach the complete oppitsit then set list at the begining, if you look at "catholics" or "lutherns" or "mormons" all of which could be concetered "cults" based how a person views these groups, and how stirct they are and there leadership. to me such bias is unfounded for groups that promot good living and the human spirit.

kiwimac · Feb 16, 2007

Please note the following from their web-page under 'groups.'

ICSA does NOT maintain a list of "bad" groups or "cults." We nonjudgmentally list groups on which we have information.
Groups listed, described, or referred to on ICSA's Web sites may be mainstream or nonmainstream, controversial or noncontroversial, religious or nonreligious, cult or not cult, harmful or benign.
We encourage inquirers to consider a variety of opinions, negative and positive, so that inquirers can make independent and informed judgments pertinent to their particular concerns.
Views expressed on our Web sites are those of the document's author(s) and are not necessarily shared, endorsed or recommended by ICSA or any of its directors, staff, or advisors.

kiwimac

drew22 · Feb 19, 2007

I mostly agree with Phototaker, we make a thing a, "cult", as we please. This is true when we hear and see of a new following many of us scream, "cult !".

I good rule I think is to see if the person who is the leader is saying to his/her flock, "follow me", or "follow God". See if they follow him/her what is really going to happen- that will depend on the him/her. If the are told to follow God, but they can still rally around the leader; the leader is the leader, when they try to follow God what happens-- well at least it is better.

Booko · Feb 20, 2007

exit_and_how said:
interesting....and written by people who obviously know what they are
talking about (Ph.D and others).

I wouldn't assume that someone knows what they are talking about just because they have a Ph.D.

(You do know what "Ph.D" stands for, right?

)

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