What is a CULT???

by Debz 4 Replies latest jw friends

  • Debz
    Debz

    This is interesting......It is taken from Margot Adler's Drawing Down the Moon, a guide to contemporary neo-paganism. She quotes P.E.I. Bonewits on what to look for and avoid in any organization that promises wisdom by participating in its activities.

    INTERNAL CONTROL, amount of internal political power exercised by leader(s) over members.
    WISDOM CLAIMED by leader(s), amount of infallibility declared about decisions.
    WISDOM CREDITED to leader(s) by members; amount of trust in decisions made by leader(s).
    DOGMA, rigidity of reality concepts taught; amount of doctrinal inflexibility.
    RECRUITING, emphasis put on attracting new members; amount of proselytizing.
    FRONT GROUPS, number of subsidiary groups using names different from that of the main group.
    WEALTH, amount of money and/or property desired or obtained; emphasis on members'donations.

    POLITICAL POWER, amount of external political influence desired or obtained.
    SEXUAL MANIPULATION of members by leader(s); amount of control of sex lives of
    members.
    CENSORSHIP, amount of control over members' access to outside opinions on
    group, its doctrines, or its leader(s).
    DROPOUT CONTROL, intensity of efforts directed at preventing or returning
    dropouts.
    ENDORSEMENT OF VIOLENCE when used by or for the group or its leader(s).
    PARANOIA, amount of fear concerning real or imagined enemies, perceived power
    of opponents.
    GRIMNESS, amount of disapproval concerning jokes about the group, its
    doctrines, or its leader(s).

    Margot Adler stated that she hoped that there would be no groups on her list that scored too
    high on this scale.

    Hmmmm sorry Margot think we have one for you!

  • Gizmo
    Gizmo

    She forgot one

    MEDIATORS: Leaders are the only channel of mediation between God and mankind

    Very nice Debz

    Edited by - elderrepents on 30 December 2002 1:39:25

  • onacruse
    onacruse

    Debz, isn't it just amazing when the curtains lift and the patterns become clear? So much for the dangers of "worldly" knowledge. LOL

    Good post.

    Craig

  • ozziepost
    ozziepost

    A cult is what you get when you allow others to put the guilts (cults) on you.

  • Francois
    Francois

    Characterized by a (sometimes) charismatic leader proffering an extravagant hope, SOON to be realized. The leader often claims to be a direct mouthpiece for God, thus questioning the leader is the same as questioning god.

    The GB speaking for God promising life eternal on a paradise earth. That qualifies, I think.

    francois

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