Act Acting » Acting Agency » Is the Catholic Church a cult?

Is the Catholic Church a cult?

Question:

Hi Mark. Thanks for taking the time and making a thoughtful reply. -Steve – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – What do we mean by cult? We mean any view; relegious, political or social that uses mind-control to dominate and shape the lives of their followers generally to their detriment. In that way the Catholic Church in the main is not a cult, but various branches of it, of Judaism, of Islam etc., are. When a relegion becomes fundamentalist i.e. Born-again Christians, The Taliban, or any other extremist sects become a cult. That’s certainly not the way we use it. We used the word "Cult" as part of our name, as a constant reminder to us that we are following a path of which much of the world disapproves and which much of the world will find incomprehensible.  We chose a name that represents the sheer alienness that most people will percieve in us, first to prevent ourselves from being misrepresented in a dishonest "bait-and-switch" of ideology, and second, simply in order to remind ourselves of how others will see us and what their misconceptions will most likely be. The RCC is not a "cult" by the measure of alienness, at least not yet. It tends in that direction whenever the catholic doctrine diverges from consensus morality, as it has in the United States over such questions as premarital sex and birth control.  It tends in that direction whenever catholics become more withdrawn, insular, and secretive about their beliefs.  It tends in that direction whenever the RCC tries to cover up a scandal involving their clergy instead of coming clean with their congregations. I tend to dismiss the whole "mind control" thing. Hi Wanda, I think you may have misunderstood the "mind control" thing as regards cults. (I wouldn’t consider the RCC to be a cult btw, though some sub-groups may be) The term ‘mind control’ can be misleading. It maybe suggests that a person’s mind can be robotically controlled by some outside agency, or that thoughts can somehow be hypnotically implanted in a person’s mind. This is not at all what happens in a cult. Rather, a cult controls its members indirectly, through the promotion and inculcation of a hierarchical, cult-type belief system within a person’s own mind, rather than by means of external, physical coercion. It is the belief system itself which is the primary active agent in cult mind control. The actual controlling of mind is done by the person themselves, as they train and discipline their mind in accordance with the tenets of their new cult belief system. Initially using conventional marketing techniques, cults promote their particular belief systems. However, cult belief systems differ from conventional belief systems in a number of subtle but significant ways, which may not be apparent to an outsider. To understand the nature of these differences is to understand the nature of a cult, and the nature of cult ‘mind control’.   I have written an analysis of these differences, if you are interested –  6,000 words though – at: http://www.fwbo-files.com/CofC.htm If there were a form of mind control that worked, it would be on every channel of advertising available to the market. There is, and  it is. Advertising is a billion dollar industry, which partly works through psychological manipulation, which could be considered a mild form of mind control. However, there are significant differences between the contexts in which cults and mainstream organisations respectively operate. Cults have to compete to market their belief systems and gain adherents, their products or services.

Response:

What do we mean by cult? We mean any view; relegious, political or social that uses mind-control to dominate and shape the lives of their followers generally to their detriment. In that way the Catholic Church in the main is not a cult, but various branches of it, of Judaism, of Islam etc., are. When a relegion becomes fundamentalist i.e. Born-again Christians, The Taliban, or any other extremist sects become a cult.

That’s certainly not the way we use it. We used the word "Cult" as part of our name, as a constant reminder to us that we are following a path of which much of the world disapproves and which much of the world will find incomprehensible.  We chose a name that represents the sheer alienness that most people will percieve in us, first to prevent ourselves from being misrepresented in a dishonest "bait-and-switch" of ideology, and second, simply in order to remind ourselves of how others will see us and what their misconceptions will most likely be. The RCC is not a "cult" by the measure of alienness, at least not yet. It tends in that direction whenever the catholic doctrine diverges from consensus morality, as it has in the United States over such questions as premarital sex and birth control.  It tends in that direction whenever catholics become more withdrawn, insular, and secretive about their beliefs.  It tends in that direction whenever the RCC tries to cover up a scandal involving their clergy instead of coming clean with their congregations. I tend to dismiss the whole "mind control" thing.  If there were a form of mind control that worked, it would be on every channel of advertising available to the market. Nothing that a guy on a pulpit can do in a couple hours a week compares to the advertising exposure americans get, so it doesn’t make sense to be afraid of mind control in the first context but not the second.                                 W.

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – What do we mean by cult? We mean any view; relegious, political or social that uses mind-control to dominate and shape the lives of their followers generally to their detriment. In that way the Catholic Church in the main is not a cult, but various branches of it, of Judaism, of Islam etc., are. When a relegion becomes fundamentalist i.e. Born-again Christians, The Taliban, or any other extremist sects become a cult. That’s certainly not the way we use it. We used the word "Cult" as part of our name, as a constant reminder to us that we are following a path of which much of the world disapproves and which much of the world will find incomprehensible.  We chose a name that represents the sheer alienness that most people will percieve in us, first to prevent ourselves from being misrepresented in a dishonest "bait-and-switch" of ideology, and second, simply in order to remind ourselves of how others will see us and what their misconceptions will most likely be. The RCC is not a "cult" by the measure of alienness, at least not yet. It tends in that direction whenever the catholic doctrine diverges from consensus morality, as it has in the United States over such questions as premarital sex and birth control.  It tends in that direction whenever catholics become more withdrawn, insular, and secretive about their beliefs.  It tends in that direction whenever the RCC tries to cover up a scandal involving their clergy instead of coming clean with their congregations. I tend to dismiss the whole "mind control" thing.

Hi Wanda, I think you may have misunderstood the "mind control" thing as regards cults. (I wouldn’t consider the RCC to be a cult btw, though some sub-groups may be) The term ‘mind control’ can be misleading. It maybe suggests that a person’s mind can be robotically controlled by some outside agency, or that thoughts can somehow be hypnotically implanted in a person’s mind. This is not at all what happens in a cult. Rather, a cult controls its members indirectly, through the promotion and inculcation of a hierarchical, cult-type belief system within a person’s own mind, rather than by means of external, physical coercion. It is the belief system itself which is the primary active agent in cult mind control. The actual controlling of mind is done by the person themselves, as they train and discipline their mind in accordance with the tenets of their new cult belief system. Initially using conventional marketing techniques, cults promote their particular belief systems. However, cult belief systems differ from conventional belief systems in a number of subtle but significant ways, which may not be apparent to an outsider. To understand the nature of these differences is to understand the nature of a cult, and the nature of cult ‘mind control’.   I have written an analysis of these differences, if you are interested –  6,000 words though – at: http://www.fwbo-files.com/CofC.htm If there were a form of mind control that worked, it would be on every channel of advertising available to the market.

There is, and  it is. Advertising is a billion dollar industry, which partly works through psychological manipulation, which could be considered a mild form of mind control. However, there are significant differences between the contexts in which cults and mainstream organisations respectively operate. Cults have to compete to market their belief systems and gain adherents, just as ordinary commercial organisations have to compete to market their products or services. However, cults have two significant marketing advantages compared with a normal commercial organisation, because of the intangible nature of the ‘product’ they market. The product which a cult markets, is its belief system, together with the attitudes and behaviour codes that are part of that belief system. The first marketing advantage enjoyed by a cult is that, as a quasi-religious organisation, it is protected from outside investigation, by a legal system which attempts to protect freedom of religion and freedom of belief. Broadly, freedom of religion allows cults  to use their own self-referential ethical codes to justify their own behaviour and methods of promotion, and to remain unaccountable to any outside agency (provided of course their promotion is by means of psychological manipulation only, and they stop short of  physically kidnapping their customers). Cults are not required to adhere to any ‘consensus morality’. There are no consumer protection laws to regulate the marketing of personal or religious belief, and no independent quality control of the product. A second advantage enjoyed by a cult stems from the fact that it does not really operate in the public domain; it operates primarily within the private and subjective realm of a person’s mind. Both the actual product marketed by a cult, and any consequences resulting from purchase or use of the product, are largely subjective and intangible in nature. This means that no criticisms of the allegedly harmful effect that a cult’s belief system may have had upon a member’s mind or behaviour can ever be proved objectively, because the whole subject of personal belief is by nature largely or entirely subjective, and therefore unprovable either way. So long as the burden of proof remains with the critic, a cult can never lose. Cults can persuade people to adopt cult-type beliefs. But cults are never held responsible for the beliefs they promote, or for the changes in an individual’s behaviour that those beliefs may cause. The individual is held responsible for acting on those beliefs, but the cult is never held responsible for promoting those beliefs in the first place. Nothing that a guy on a pulpit can do in a couple hours a week compares to the advertising exposure americans get, so it doesn’t make sense to be afraid of mind control in the first context but not the second.

It is the context which makes all the difference.                              W. Thanks, very sensible comments.  I  think  it’s the "alienness"  of "cults" that people object  to.

I think people are justified in being wary of the alien-ness of cults. People perhaps sense that cults have alien and secret agendas. That and the  fact that  it seems like something that’s out of their control. -Steve

Cults are out of control. — Mark

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – What do we mean by cult? We mean any view; relegious, political or social that uses mind-control to dominate and shape the lives of their followers generally to their detriment. In that way the Catholic Church in the main is not a cult, but various branches of it, of Judaism, of Islam etc., are. When a relegion becomes fundamentalist i.e. Born-again Christians, The Taliban, or any other extremist sects become a cult. That’s certainly not the way we use it. We used the word "Cult" as part of our name, as a constant reminder to us that we are following a path of which much of the world disapproves and which much of the world will find incomprehensible.  We chose a name that represents the sheer alienness that most people will percieve in us, first to prevent ourselves from being misrepresented in a dishonest "bait-and-switch" of ideology, and second, simply in order to remind ourselves of how others will see us and what their misconceptions will most likely be. The RCC is not a "cult" by the measure of alienness, at least not yet. It tends in that direction whenever the catholic doctrine diverges from consensus morality, as it has in the United States over such questions as premarital sex and birth control.  It tends in that direction whenever catholics become more withdrawn, insular, and secretive about their beliefs.  It tends in that direction whenever the RCC tries to cover up a scandal involving their clergy instead of coming clean with their congregations. I tend to dismiss the whole "mind control" thing.  If there were a form of mind control that worked, it would be on every channel of advertising available to the market. Nothing that a guy on a pulpit can do in a couple hours a week compares to the advertising exposure americans get, so it doesn’t make sense to be afraid of mind control in the first context but not the second.                            W.

Thanks, very sensible comments.  I  think  it’s the "alienness"  of "cults"   that people object  to.  That and the  fact that  it seems like something that’s out of their control. -Steve

Response:

What do we mean by cult? We mean any view; relegious, political or social that uses mind-control to dominate and shape the lives of their followers generally to their detriment. In that way the Catholic Church in the main is not a cult, but various branches of it, of Judaism, of Islam etc., are. When a relegion becomes fundamentalist i.e. Born-again Christians, The Taliban, or any other extremist sects become a cult.

Being "born again" does not make someone a cultist. Billy Graham and Jimmy Carter are two outspoken leaders who claim to be born again, but to my knowledge are not cult leaders and do not practice mind control. Are there fringe elements calling themselves "born again" who ARE cultists or dangerous extremists? Without doubt. However, that should not be extrapolated out to those who believe Jesus’ admonition "You must be born again". Unfortunately, some radicals have painted a negative picture of sincere Christians who believe Jesus’ words. I think the same applies to Catholics. There are extreme Marianists (spelling?) who clearly worship Mary as equal to Christ (meaning equal to God, of course) but most Catholics I believe, "revere" Mary, rather than "worship" her. I think it is an important distinction. The Protestant reformation, unfortunately, lead to a rejection of almost anything having to do with "Mary" and even today, you rarely hear about her, save Christmas time. That is a mistake, as scripture clearly states that she is "blessed among all women". That statement alone, separates Mary, in that regard, from all women who have ever lived. I think if she is blessed among all women, we should desire to study about a person such as that, as much as we would the Apostles or the Prophets. Worship? No. Respect, revere, learn about? Absolutely. Craig Maxim www.xmoonies.com – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I guess no one thinks this is an interesting question. Oh well. Perhaps you should try answering Craig’s question.  He ask you what was your point and you simply ask another question. It is as if you are trying to lead us all to your conclusion.  It might be simpler if you just state what you believe about the subject.  Then I would be happy to respond to you. By the way, you ask a question in the topic "You are going to burn…..",  which I responded to but you never responded back. Did you not see it or just choose to drop it? Scott Hi Scott, In my personal opinion the Catholic Church is a cult, going by the way this word is commonly used in our culture.  As I understand it a cult would be a group of people with a common belief, which to some extent they belive is right and all others wrong: also some kind of leadership: and common goals which they work towards: and they probably evangelize to recruit new members; and donate money to the group.  BTW, I’m a member of the Unification Church, which I would also consider a cult according to this definition. The reason I asked Craig is that he is an outstanding spokesperson for the anti-cult point of view.  When I mentioned that some people thought the Catholic Church is a cult he responded by calling those people "hateful and divisive". I thought that this needed more explanation. I must have missed your question.  If you post it again I’ll answer. Thanks. -Steve

Response:

Definetly, if the Catholic Religion were to be renamed today…… The Cult of Jesus would be a good pick!

Response:

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I guess no one thinks this is an interesting question. Oh well. Perhaps you should try answering Craig’s question.  He ask you what was your point and you simply ask another question. It is as if you are trying to lead us all to your conclusion.  It might be simpler if you just state what you believe about the subject.  Then I would be happy to respond to you. By the way, you ask a question in the topic "You are going to burn…..", which I responded to but you never responded back. Did you not see it or just choose to drop it? Scott Hi Scott, In my personal opinion the Catholic Church is a cult, going by the way this word is commonly used in our culture.  As I understand it a cult would be a group of people with a common belief, which to some extent they belive is right and all others wrong: also some kind of leadership: and common goals which they work towards: and they probably evangelize to recruit new members; and donate money to the group.  BTW, I’m a member of the Unification Church, which I would also consider a cult according to this definition.

Steve, I think I understand what your saying but I disagree with you for the following reason.  It is because most people would be using the word differently when it applied to the UC than when it is in reference to the RC Church.  I think what Craig was saying is that the folks who use the word to criticise the RC are essentially radical extremist protestants or atheist, whereas most people who use the term to refer to the UC are reasonable people who recognise that Mr. Moon is either a sharp operator who has hoodwinked a few gulible souls or an evil meglamaniac who really does believe his own propaganda.  I think this is probably less true today than it was ten or twenty years ago, but still somewhat so.  I know this is a little painful for UCers to deal with but that is the way the world tends to work.  If your movement hangs around long enough, it will most likely have the legitimacy of being just another world religion confered upon it.  This is already true in places where Mr. Moon has bought a place at the table. If I was you though, and was interested in the rapid growth of my group, I might prefer the more controversial definition of cult to be used, since it would at least get you some public notoriety.  I could be wrong, but it appears to me that the UC is rather small potatoes, even compared to other quasi-christian sects(cults?), such as the Johovah’s Witnesses or the Mormons, particularly in terms of gaining new converts.  I know Moon has somewhat of a different strategy, which you might feel will be successful longterm, but so far it doesn’t look like it. From what I’ve seen, as soon as he stops laying out lavish sums of cash, not much effect remains. Coupled with the foibles of his all to human family and the fact that it is all but impossible to create anything of mythological proportions in our day of mass communications and I can’t forsee the "True Parents idea" ever having much currency with anyone more than young impressionable types like most of his followers have been when they joined his movement.  I honestly don’t think it has much appeal to mature thinkers.  Well, this rant is growing a little long.  Best wishes to you and your family for the holidays Steve. S. The reason I asked Craig is that he is an outstanding spokesperson for the anti-cult point of view.  When I mentioned that some people thought the Catholic Church is a cult he responded by calling those people "hateful and divisive". I thought that this needed more explanation. I must have missed your question.  If you post it again I’ll answer. Thanks. -Steve

Steve,

Response:

I can’t believe I’m actually going to reply to a x-tian group. From what I can tell, it’s a bunch of preachers preachin’ to each other. lol Well, here’s the opinion of someone who is not x-tian or Christian.

You know, that’s not entirely true. A cult is something that is hidden. Generally, if there is a Truth, it’s not hidden at all, but at the same time no one will forcibly drag you to it and force you to take it. At the same time, one man’s Truth should not be administered as the total and whole Truth. You see, one man’s Truth may not be, and often is not, another man’s Truth. My Truth is not the same as you’re Truth which may not be the same as the Truth the guy who sits first pew every Sunday or those that gather among the trees and circle together to share time with the Divine. Man fears what he doesn’t know or understand. There can only be cults if people don’t ask the correct questions or are afraid to. . A preacher is the blind leading the blind…

Only if that preacher doesn’t know what he’s talking about or he twists the his Truth to serve his own agenda as so many have.

Response:

What do we mean by cult? We mean any view; relegious, political or social that uses mind-control to dominate and shape the lives of their followers generally to their detriment. In that way the Catholic Church in the main is not a cult, but various branches of it, of Judaism, of Islam etc., are. When a relegion becomes fundamentalist i.e. Born-again Christians, The Taliban, or any other extremist sects become a cult.

Thanks Maria, At least you tried  to provide a definition of the word "cult", -Steve – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I guess no one thinks this is an interesting question. Oh well. Perhaps you should try answering Craig’s question.  He ask you what was your point and you simply ask another question. It is as if you are trying to lead us all to your conclusion.  It might be simpler if you just state what you believe about the subject.  Then I would be happy to respond to you. By the way, you ask a question in the topic "You are going to burn…..",  which I responded to but you never responded back. Did you not see it or just choose to drop it? Scott Hi Scott, In my personal opinion the Catholic Church is a cult, going by the way this word is commonly used in our culture.  As I understand it a cult would be a group of people with a common belief, which to some extent they belive is right and all others wrong: also some kind of leadership: and common goals which they work towards: and they probably evangelize to recruit new members; and donate money to the group.  BTW, I’m a member of the Unification Church, which I would also consider a cult according to this definition. The reason I asked Craig is that he is an outstanding spokesperson for the anti-cult point of view.  When I mentioned that some people thought the Catholic Church is a cult he responded by calling those people "hateful and divisive". I thought that this needed more explanation. I must have missed your question.  If you post it again I’ll answer. Thanks. -Steve

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I guess no one thinks this is an interesting question. Oh well. Perhaps you should try answering Craig’s question.  He ask you what was your point and you simply ask another question. It is as if you are trying to lead us all to your conclusion.  It might be simpler if you just state what you believe about the subject.  Then I would be happy to respond to you. By the way, you ask a question in the topic "You are going to burn…..", which I responded to but you never responded back. Did you not see it or just choose to drop it? Scott Hi Scott, In my personal opinion the Catholic Church is a cult, going by the way this word is commonly used in our culture.  As I understand it a cult would be a group of people with a common belief, which to some extent they belive is right and all others wrong: also some kind of leadership: and common goals which they work towards: and they probably evangelize to recruit new members; and donate money to the group.  BTW, I’m a member of the Unification Church, which I would also consider a cult according to this definition. Steve, I think I understand what your saying but I disagree with you for the following reason.  It is because most people would be using the word differently when it applied to the UC than when it is in reference to the RC Church.  I think what Craig was saying is that the folks who use the word to criticise the RC are essentially radical extremist protestants or atheist, whereas most people who use the term to refer to the UC are reasonable people who recognise that Mr. Moon is either a sharp operator who has hoodwinked a few gulible souls or an evil meglamaniac who really does believe his own propaganda.  I think this is probably less true today than it was ten or twenty years ago, but still somewhat so.  I know this is a little painful for UCers to deal with but that is the way the world tends to work.  If your movement hangs around long enough, it will most likely have the legitimacy of being just another world religion confered upon it.  This is already true in places where Mr. Moon has bought a place at the table. If I was you though, and was interested in the rapid growth of my group, I might prefer the more controversial definition of cult to be used, since it would at least get you some public notoriety.  I could be wrong, but it appears to me that the UC is rather small potatoes, even compared to other quasi-christian sects(cults?), such as the Johovah’s Witnesses or the Mormons, particularly in terms of gaining new converts.  I know Moon has somewhat of a different strategy, which you might feel will be successful longterm, but so far it doesn’t look like it. From what I’ve seen, as soon as he stops laying out lavish sums of cash, not much effect remains. Coupled with the foibles of his all to human family and the fact that it is all but impossible to create anything of mythological proportions in our day of mass communications and I can’t forsee the "True Parents idea" ever having much currency with anyone more than young impressionable types like most of his followers have been when they joined his movement.  I honestly don’t think it has much appeal to mature thinkers.  Well, this rant is growing a little long.  Best wishes to you and your family for the holidays Steve. S.

Thanks Scott for the thoughtful, polite, and reasonable reply.  I also wish you and yours a great holiday season and God’s blessings always. -Steve

Response:

But it would be wrong. Correct would be "religion." The RCC is merely a religion evolving from Judaism, a religion created by mankind. The religion of Christianity was created by the Judaizers, the antichrists.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Definetly, if the Catholic Religion were to be renamed today…… The Cult of Jesus would be a good pick!

Response:

What do we mean by cult? We mean any view; relegious, political or social that uses mind-control to dominate and shape the lives of their followers generally to their detriment. In that way the Catholic Church in the main is not a cult, but various branches of it, of Judaism, of Islam etc., are. When a relegion becomes fundamentalist i.e. Born-again Christians, The Taliban, or any other extremist sects become a cult.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I guess no one thinks this is an interesting question. Oh well. Perhaps you should try answering Craig’s question.  He ask you what was your point and you simply ask another question. It is as if you are trying to lead us all to your conclusion.  It might be simpler if you just state what you believe about the subject.  Then I would be happy to respond to you. By the way, you ask a question in the topic "You are going to burn…..",  which I responded to but you never responded back. Did you not see it or just choose to drop it? Scott Hi Scott, In my personal opinion the Catholic Church is a cult, going by the way this word is commonly used in our culture.  As I understand it a cult would be a group of people with a common belief, which to some extent they belive is right and all others wrong: also some kind of leadership: and common goals which they work towards: and they probably evangelize to recruit new members; and donate money to the group.  BTW, I’m a member of the Unification Church, which I would also consider a cult according to this definition. The reason I asked Craig is that he is an outstanding spokesperson for the anti-cult point of view.  When I mentioned that some people thought the Catholic Church is a cult he responded by calling those people "hateful and divisive". I thought that this needed more explanation. I must have missed your question.  If you post it again I’ll answer. Thanks. -Steve

Response:

I guess no one thinks this is an interesting question. Oh well. Randy writes:

Do a web search concerning Saul/Paul and Mithra. Or simply Mithra. A search should reveal the common thread From Cathlicism, Mithra and ancient Egypt’s cult of Osiris and Isis. Eventually you should find your answer. I would like to pose a question. How far back does the "priestcraft" and their legacy go ? Happy Holidays, Randy

Response:

God’s Holy Church undoubtedly uses cultic thought-control tools – such as repeated suggestion from key adult leaders combined with peer group reinforcement.

What "adults" are you talking about in the institutional church, today? However, it is a serious faux pas to call any large organized religion a "cult".

Islam is a cult – and one on the verge of a serious rethink by many Muslims following Sep 11th. Btw – how would you describe the Democratic Party? Merry Christmas!  * When one finds nothing more to say to God,  * but just knows He is there —  * that, in itself, is the best of prayers. [Fr. John Vianney, priest of Ars township, France, 1859]

Response:

I guess no one thinks this is an interesting question. Oh well. Perhaps you should try answering Craig’s question.  He ask you what was your point and you simply ask another question. It is as if you are trying to lead us all to your conclusion.  It might be simpler if you just state what you believe about the subject.  Then I would be happy to respond to you. By the way, you ask a question in the topic "You are going to burn…..",  which I responded to but you never responded back. Did you not see it or just choose to drop it? Scott

Hi Scott, In my personal opinion the Catholic Church is a cult, going by the way this word is commonly used in our culture.  As I understand it a cult would be a group of people with a common belief, which to some extent they belive is right and all others wrong: also some kind of leadership: and common goals which they work towards: and they probably evangelize to recruit new members; and donate money to the group.  BTW, I’m a member of the Unification Church, which I would also consider a cult according to this definition. The reason I asked Craig is that he is an outstanding spokesperson for the anti-cult point of view.  When I mentioned that some people thought the Catholic Church is a cult he responded by calling those people "hateful and divisive". I thought that this needed more explanation. I must have missed your question.  If you post it again I’ll answer. Thanks. -Steve

Response:

I guess no one thinks this is an interesting question. Oh well.

http://www.spiritwatch.org/cultdef.htm <exerpt 7 ELEMENTS OF A CULTIC GROUP    1) A centralized form of  leadership that rules with unquestioned authority    2) A body of convictions, beliefs, and practices set forth boldly as "the truth"    3) A compelling presentation of the group vision to prospects that is inviting and challenging    4) A series of manipulative socializing sessions to instill psychological dependence on the group    5) A definable process of group dynamics used to unethically control and manipulate members    6) A history of abuses of authority by group leaders freely using deception and fear tactics    7) A history of psychological and spiritual abuses of group members that destroy lives

Response:

I guess no one thinks this is an interesting question. Oh well.

Related Posts

Leave a Reply