“You don’t get rich writing science fiction.
If you want to get rich, you start a religion.”.
L. Ron Hubbard
L. Ron Hubbard, a well-known writer of
science fiction and fantasy novels,
made this statement
and that is exactly what he did in 1954
when he start the Church of Scientology.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/L._Ron_Hubbard
DEFINITION OF A CULT:
Cults are far from just religious in nature. There are certainly extremes, from Apocalyptic cults like Jim Jones and People’s Temple, to seemingly main stream religions like the Jehovah’s Witnesses or The Mormon Church. Consider multi-level-marketing groups like Amway and LuLaroe as another example. Then there are groups like NXIVM which is actually a combination of sex cult, self-help and multi-level-marketing scheme all rolled into one. There is definitely a spectrum. The definition of a cult does not refer to beliefs, because a group’s belief system, is not necessarily related to it being considered a cult. I’m sure we all know of groups with really bizarre or fanatical teachings and beliefs, but if You can walk away anytime you want, free to read anything of your choice or associate with anyone you want and question the leadership, you are most likely not in a cult. Beatlmania was certainly fanatical but not a cult. It’s the manipulation and thought control that puts it in this category. Mental, emotional and fear manipulation among others.
- Rutgers sociologist Benjamin Zablocki, PhD., defines a cult as “an ideological organization held together by charismatic relationships and demanding total commitment.” According to Zablocki, cults are at high risk of becoming abusive to members in part because members’ adulation of charismatic leaders contributes to their becoming corrupted by the power they seek and are accorded. (1)https://www.icsahome.com/elibrary/topics/articles/sgaworkshop
2. A cult is an organized group whose purpose is to dominate cult members through psychological manipulation and pressure strategies. Cults are usually headed by a powerful leader who isolates members from the rest of society. “Cults are dangerous because they typically rely on deceptive and authoritarian practices to make members dependent on and obedient to the group.
(1) https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-a-cult-5078234 Amy Morin, LCSW
3. Cult Education Institute (1) Lists the following warning signs:
- Absolute authoritarianism without accountability
- Zero tolerance for criticism or questions
- Lack of meaningful financial disclosure regarding budget
- Unreasonable fears about the outside world that often involve evil conspiracies and persecutions
- A belief that former followers are always wrong for leaving and there is never a legitimate reason for anyone else to leave
- Abuse of members
- Followers feeling they are never able to be “good enough”
- A belief that the leader is right at all times
- A belief that the leader is the exclusive means of knowing “truth” or giving validation
- Cults often cut members off from other forms of social and financial support and pose both physical and psychological risks to members of the group. (https://culteducation.com/) Rick Alan Ross
COMING:
Types of Cults
- Religious
- Political
- Self Help
- Multi Level Marketing
- Abusive Relationships