--- In [email protected], Bhairitu <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > new.morning wrote: > > >--- In [email protected], Bhairitu <noozguru@> wrote: > > > > > > > > > > > >>What is your definition of a cult? > >> > >> > > > >Thats the point. Everyone has something differnt in mind in terms of > >the attributes of a cult. And often different intensities are applied, > >internally by each, to various attributes. Thus the word itself loses > >much value for clear communication -- but retains its emotional > >charge and its ability to dampen down conversation and rational thought. > > > >Far better, IMO, than using loaded, power words like "cult", is to > >decompose the word and examine and discuss the various specific > >attributes one has in mind. And how different organizations may > >manifest more or less intensities of these attributes compared to > >other orgs. > > > >Depending on how one means the term (and the precise definitions are > >often not communicated), little league could be a cult -- or almost > >nothing is. > > > But we usually speak in abstractions not concretes. Speaking in > concretes is burdensome and for lawyers. I think with the web we've > gotten a little obsessed with concreteness as everyone expect you to > look up everything on the search engines before you make a statement. >
Instead of calling the TMO a cult, personally I find its far more meaningful in terms of discussion and communication to say: "The TMO is a strongly top-down organization, making moderate claims of being a unique path to enlightenment. Some experienced TMers can tend to exhibit elitism. The TMO at higher levels, uses mild control and motivation techniques." This specifies the type and intestity of cult traits that the TMO has -- and distinguishes it from the attributes and intensity levels of other "cults", say Scientology or Moonies. Some may cast this off as unaccessible lawyer talk. I find it accessible, clear and far more useful than "the TMO is a cult" -- which is a next to meaningless abstraction. 1 Any group which has a pyramid type authoritarian leadership structure with all teaching and guidance coming from the person/persons at the top. -2 The group will claim to be the only way to God; Nirvana; Paradise; Ultimate Reality; Full Potential, Way to Happiness etc, -3 and will use thought reform or mind control techniques to gain control and keep their members. -4 The group will have an ELITIST view of itself in relation to others, and a UNIQUE CAUSE. e.i. THEY ARE THE ONLY ONES RIGHT - To subscribe, send a message to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Or go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FairfieldLife/ and click 'Join This Group!' Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FairfieldLife/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FairfieldLife/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
