General Chat

Surely all religions are cults.
Online definition of a cult:

a. A religion or religious sect generally considered to be extremist or false, with its followers often living in an unconventional manner under the guidance of an authoritarian, charismatic leader.
b. The followers of such a religion or sect.
2. A system or community of religious worship and ritual.
3. The formal means of expressing religious reverence; religious ceremony and ritual.
4. A usually nonscientific method or regimen claimed by its originator to have exclusive or exceptional power in curing a particular disease.
5.
a. Obsessive, especially faddish, devotion to or veneration for a person, principle, or thing.
b. The object of such devotion.
6. An exclusive group of persons sharing an esoteric, usually artistic or intellectual interest.

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As a non- religious or cultist person, I find any religious sect extremist or false.

As for the Moonies using brainwashing techniques, I did a thesis on religions and brainwashing techniques whilst at Uni. Of course I stared it with the general view that the Moonies were the worst of all.
I used a few books on different brainwashing techniques and compared various religions and their subtle use of them. The religion that came out as number one experts in brainwashing techniques - the one that used the widest variety and used them most effectively was the Catholic Church!!

maggie

WI definitly a cult then-she's been brain washed into wearing twin-sets,sensible shoes & making cake,jam & pickles!

I have been a bit WI curious in the past.........then my Mum talked me into going to a talk on flower arranging at the library.............they did seem awfully "clicky" and us most deffinatly on the "outside"................put me right off..............lol

WI curious :))) LOL

Thought it might make someone giggle Kitty.......lol

Oh dear,
Have I been secretly taken over by the WI.?? I wear twin sets & pearls!!

..................And Tweed



Maybe there's a 'Miss Marple' cult out there somewhere............

Maggie...........do you have strange urges to arrange flowers..........and do you indulge in competitive cooking ( especially " secret recipe cakes" ).........?

LOL

( no offence to any WI ladies intended )

Dear Eldrick,
I have studied many religions and cults, and all of them have traditions,beliefs,symbols,customs, that people would find offensive...or unsuitable to themselves as individuals....
It is up to the individual to seek out what they find acceptable, or the truth to what they want to practice,
I think that people who have no spritual belief at all, should not judge those who do, and visa versa.
However what amuses me (and annoys me) are people who like to stir contention about certain religions, by calling them Cults...
As I have seen you defend the rights of minorty groups on this board, I am amazed that you are showing such predijuce against what you deem to be cults.....by asking how much they should be tolerated..

How, and why does, not voting, or not joining the army, effect you.......
I would much rather live next door to a peacable religious fanatic......
.than the twisted, lieing bigot of a political councillor that I have for a neighbour!!!!
cmdx
.

do I take it cmd that you don't like your neighbour then?

well theres a ''tale our cat'' could tell....
Jesus said......love your neighbour.......so I try.....and try.....and try.......
NO NO NO I dont like him...

lol I say be very afraid if they get militant(W.I.) plum jam and twin sets can be very intimidating lol..

By all means, follow whatever cult turns you on, provided it is not illegal or immoral.

However, don't try to push it onto others or expect them to agree with your ideas.

Perhaps being a GR member is a bit cultish....ohhhh

now there's a thought...............lol

Fear strikes my heart when a sentence starts.....
In the WI...............................shudder!

lol Amanda a thought indeed pmsl...

The Genealogy Cult-mmmmmmmh
What do you reckon the rules would be?

rule one!


you WILL bend the ear of every person you meet, as to your latest finding, and THEN relating that to all your previous finds!

Bob

Whew!

CMD - I dont believe I am displaying any prejuduces? Why on earth should cults, religions, minority beliefs, whatever you want to call them, enjoy a special status that affords them immunity from discussion, criticism or pointing out of inconsistencies...?

Is it not a valid point to say that whilst the govt. is introducing citizenship tests, a religion can sidestep this by saying we dont believe in loyalty to the state? Why is it not open to ask that question?

There seems to be a presumption that if someone says they are following a belief, then any criticism becomes taboo!

I dont believe I am judging anyone, not am I criticising anyone.

Last time I was in Hospital I gave my religion as "Jedi" & they strongly recommended I changed it..."in case anything went wrong"-I felt so safe eek.lol

At one point I was disturbed from cooking tea by a JH doorstepping. I am always polite but will never take their profferred literature. Anyway, this particular night they were trying to get me to take a leaflet about the evils of the arms trade. I let them go all through their spiel and then when they said 'would you like to have our leaflet to read more?' I just told them that as I actually worked in the arms trade at a manufacturer of very large naval hardware it would be hypocritical of me to do so. they've never called again. Not sure if it's a coincidence, but their church is only a few hundred yards from where I live. ;)