April 14, 2012
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Are you in a Cult?
This is a caveat to the post by @SKANLYN. Feel free to check it out yourself ^_^ http://skanlyn.xanga.com/761144834/cults/?page=1&jump=1525235232&leftcmt=1#1525235232
Recently a co-worker and I started a conversation on cults and the general perception they receive. Before I ramble let’s look at the “facts”. Dictionary.com defines a cult as the following:
1. A particular system of religious worship, especially with the reference to it’s rites and ceremonies.
2. An instance of great veneration of a person, ideal, or thing, especially as manifested by a body of admirers: the physical fitness cult.
3. The object of such devotion.
4. A group or sect bound together by veneration of the same thing, person, ideal, etc.
5. Sociology. A group having a sacred ideology and a set of rites centering on their sacred symbols.
My personal opinion is whenever you hear the word “cult” you think of extremist groups, secret societies and historical atrocities such as the Manson Family, Heaven’s Gate or Aum Shinrikyo. I guess my question is a cult in society’s terms portayed by its true definition or the definition of what to be true? If we take the definition at face value I feel it includes a plethora of organizations and activities that people associate with on a daily basis. If I was to label Christianity or Catholicism as a cult I assume most would immediately get upset. More so because of their pre misconceptions with word cult and not it’s literal definition. The same can be applied to diets, weight loss, entertainment, fraternities/sororities, sports, holidays, “new age” thought etc. The scenario’s are endless….
So when we take the word at face value and apply it to our lives I ask: “Are you in a Cult?”
Peace, Love, Light
☮ ♥ ☼
Comments (2)
The difference between cults and religions seems to be the difference between weeds and plants… One is harmful and one is more beneficial or socially acceptable. I used to ask what is the difference between a prophet and a schizophrenic… Possibly no difference, but one is accepted and the other is not.
Lol, the society that
I was raised into was made to instill cultic values in me. From Sesame Street
and learning classism, to saying the pledge of allegiants all through my
childhood almost every day even the video games as well. It’s an easy way to
keep your nation under control; so yes I am in one… but it’s whatever though