Most every religious group, as well as the more fringe Pagan and Magickal groups are cults or platforms for cult-like behavior. These behaviors are as manners taught; socially tolerable or acceptable behaviors, such as bending the knee in supplication to political or divine power. And that these two combine; even in American culture, set up political cults that even in larger measure are often referred to as political parties.
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Cults & Cultic Behavior
1. Every group is a cell;
the larger ones are
instruitutionalized
in society.
A. Christmas/romans
B. They all started small
C. They each claim a corner
on the truth.
2. If membership is required
in order to presereve your
well-being in this life
or to have a good.
after-life, there is a problem
A. Some will tell you
personal safety or
personal wealth can be
obtained or purchased.
B. Some will use fear
tactics to control your
behavior.
1. the excuse is that it
generates good behavior
2. the excuse is that it
creates a better society
3. It is important that one strive
to keep sovereignty over your own
person; body, soul & spirit.
A. Human dignity is paramount.
AL:II.22 “…fear not that any
God shall deny thee for this.”
B. Do not place your trust in a
guru, priest or any leader;
real or supernatural.
C. Any promise of reward or
salvation isn this life or
the next is a false promise.
4. Offense taken by leadership or
the rank-and-file against criticism
is an example of cultic behavior.
A. If y ou or the group is so
great, you don’t need validation
from others.
B. Vengeance or vindictive behavior
is a mind-control technique.
C. Any true god does not care about
anyone’s opinion.
5. Society doesn not need to be
structured in any way to promote the
tenets of your religion.
A. This is a cult’s best way to
gain political control and is
used to generate hate among
people in order to make a
ruling group wealthy & to
maintain their power.
6. Leaders of any group do not have an
inside track on wisdom or what any god
likes or dislikes.
A. This can be used to manipulate
people.
B. This can be used to hypnotize &
brainwash people.
C. Sexual manipulation is often
connected with this, as sex is
one of the strongest ways to
get power over people.
7. Money is connected with power. When
giving money to a group, ask, does it
have a way of benefitting you directly?
Does the group require more money than
you can afford to give & still maintain
your own independence?
Is the focus on raising money or on
spiritual instruction?
8. Paranoia
A. Fear of outside attack
B. Fear of ‘evel’ government.
C. Fear of individuals who are
said to be enemies of the group.
D. Fear of other groups.
E. Fear of objects, incons, symbols,
other gods or devils.
9. “My god is better than your god.”
The problem of machismo.
10. Violence–physical
| mental
| emotional
|
directed against internal
members or external non-
members.
A. Us against them
B. We are the holy, they
are the profane.
11. Central Authority Figure
A. Infallible
B. Unapproachable
C. Sole source of wisdom
D. Judge & Jury
E. Micromanager
12. Does the group posit a utopia;
here or elsewhere?
A. Heaven
B. Paradise
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