Oh, my, my, my. I had a thought. I wondered what are the characteristics of a cult so I asked my good friend Bing and found that theres a consensus list of those characteristics. Then, I had another thought. How does that list fit the Democratic Party, and Liberals, in general. What I found was absolutely astonishing. The Democratic Party isnt a POLITICAL PARTY, as it once was. Its actually a cult. Its an absolutely perfect fit! My, the absence of any critical thought or application of any empirical testing of ideas? This would be amusing were it not terrifying. Please see the list: Actual source provided. 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. This is not so much a diagnostic instrument as it is an analytical tool. 1. 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, regardless of reality. 2. Questioning, doubt, and dissent are discouraged or even punished. 3. The leadership dictates, sometimes in great detail, how members should think, act, and feel (where to live, what to eat, whether or not to have children, how to discipline children, and so forth). 4. The group is elitist, claiming a special, exalted status for itself, its leader(s) and members (for example, the leader is considered a special being, an avatar—or the group and/or the leader is on a special mission to save humanity). 5. The group has a polarized us-versus-them mentality, which may cause conflict with the wider society. 6. The leader is not accountable to any authorities 7. 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). 8. 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. 9. 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. 10. The group is preoccupied with raising funds, to increase membership or spread the cults doctrine. 11. Members are encouraged or required to live and/or socialize only with other group members. 12. 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.
Posted on: Sun, 17 Nov 2013 19:24:34 +0000
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