"The problem here is a totalitarian uniformity, a cult-like mentality such that even allies are enemies if they fail to follow the Exact Party Line. " - Phyllis Chesler

Tuesday, January 29, 2008

Who Would Have Thunk It?

There has been a lot of chatter about cults lately due to the Tom Cruise issue the media has been following. Here is a good article at Time Magazine to read about that particular group.

Sadly DTM, one of the men from my recent dating history, was/is involved in a cult, which is really just an organization that uses mind control, that people fall into believing because it makes them feel as though they have a purpose; the purpose to purify and prepare people for the "next civilization."

This group/cult he is/was involved in, as with any other cult, teaches that all people who decide to leave are spiritually disturbed, misguided, potentially dangerous, and outsiders. Take your pick of words from that list...some are more heavy-handed than others about this.

Inevitably what happens is that these organizations take advantage of those who are poorly read on many subjects such as in their own religions, spirituality or just simply the history and background of religions. Making it far too easy to selectively omit teachings that would negate their claims.

They will push their own literature and stear you away from numerous "outside" sources. The problem with this is that people have a right to make an informed decision by hearing all sides. And don't be fooled that only stupid people fall prey to these groups. DTM is a very intelligent person who is highly regarded in the corporate world, and yet when I left him two months ago he was seriously contemplating giving up his apartment, his independent life, all his belongings and moving into this commune. (This commune is not free incidentally! Quite the contrary)

This particular cult he is/was involved with manipulated the social psychological study done years ago that showed how women become more attracted to men who were already with an attractive female. It showed that being able to get a date with an attractive female made men more desireable to other women. This study is used to justify the idea of group sexual functions, and a commune built around the idea of sexual open experimentation and swapping.

And at the core, that is what a cult does: take a truth and wrap a lie around it, to get you to follow them.

What man wouldn't have his curiousity piqued just a little at the thought that in participating in a society where it is encouraged to have numerous sexual partners, it will bring them even more women who want to be with them? Very smart marketing if you ask me.

And that is truly what these groups are about...not religious faith, dogma and spirituality but rather devoted following through slick marketing tactics, to acquire your money and loyalty.

Barbara Ann Brennan writes in her book Hands of Light on page 73, "The mutual letting go into deep communication through giving and receiving in sexual intercourse is one of the main ways humanity has of deeply letting go of the ego "seperateness" and experiencing unity. When done with love and respect for the uniqueness of your mate, it is a holy experience culminating from the deep primordial evolutionary urges of mating on the physcial level and the deep spiritual yearnings of unity with the Divine."

This particular cult of course does not teach that part of the lesson. They only use the study and another truism in spirituality as a justification to support the group sexual activities and swapping that a "person's sexuality is connected to his life force and if that part of the body is blocked it will lower the person's physical and sexual vitality" (Barbara Ann Brennan, Hands of Light, p 73)

There is NO balance in what they teach. They tip the scale in their favor. They have no choice but to leave out critical information. They are master manipulators.

Some people use the counter argument that all religions are cults. I think that is just another manipulation. Agreed, there is a fine line, but it is time to use critical thinking to know what is ok and what is not ok to participate in.

4 comments:

Perplexio said...

There's a book that takes a rather tongue-in-cheek look at religions vs. cults. Island of the Sequined Love Nun by Christopher Moore.

The basic premise of the book is that the ghost of a WWII fighter pilot makes a side-bet with Jesus during a poker game claiming he can start a religion that will one day rival Christianity in size and scope.

The book is very irreverent and quite humorous. Moore later wrote a book titled Lamb: The Gospel According to Christ's Childhood Pal, Biff... just to give you an idea of his sense of humor.

At the same time it does raise some rather interesting questions about religion.

Mike said...

There is one difference between religion and cult. One only.

It's longevity. That's it, that's all.

Anonymous said...

This just me.. but the first mention of cult's I wouldn't have let the door hit my butt on the way out..:))))

A New Yorker said...

Darrin, Never heard of that book. Guess I have another thing to buy. :-)

Mike - UM gotta put my foot down here and tell ya NOPE, not true.

Robert, thing is I didn't know until right before I broke it off with him. He was very slick at hiding a lot of things. Believe you me when I figured it out I was furious and made sure he knew it.