religious cults and their operations.
The following is one of the sections I am working on
Please stick to the subject
"NEVER EXPRESS DOUBT"
Feel free to comment
13.Never express doubt to superiors.
One of the cardinal rules is no matter what you really think never express a doubt to a superior.
People in charge, at whatever level cannot handle doubt. They must, forever and always, have your mind under their control.
To the true believer doubt is heresy and the only answwer to heresy is expulsion!
Understand that first you must have been coached to believe that the “fearless leaders” Talk directly to God and so what ever they say comes directly out of the mouth of God! So to question a leader is to question God.
An example of this is Joesph Smith jr., who without a shred of empirical evidence, claims to have spoken to both God and Jesus Christ. He became the leader of a religious movement who accept his tale without question. However his later propensity for perpetrating lies leads one to ask “can he be believed?”
That man lied to everyone yet condemned anyone who lied to him.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 07/19/2021 12:31PM by thedesertrat1.

You don’t have to look any further than Nancy Rigdon.

Often, somebody posts a definition that he finds especially relevant, and other people add their thoughts. I think an accurate and (especially) comprehensive definition will prove elusive. The definitions people proffer are usually correct--but insufficient. Some cults will conform to that definition, but others will not.

I propose a checklist. The more items that get checked, the more it qualifies as a cult. And remember--not all cults are religious!

For starters:

Charismatic leadership.

>>>under this are matters of political power, lack of accountability, oversight, "removability" (by a higher authorityi), excessive and/or unaccounted compensation.
Reverence for, and obedience to, the leader--even when dead

Special teachings unique to that group (scripture, revelation)
Claims of a unique or exclusive soteriology
Esoteric (secret) teachings known to them, but not to be divulged to outsiders
Financial demands
Shunning apostates
Rejection of outsiders and "the world," often fear-based
standards of holiness (dress, sex, food, living accommodations (etc.).
Willingness to steal from, mislead, or lie outright to, outsiders ("divine deceit"). This includes a
Willingness to mislead prospective converts (see "esoteric teachings, above).
Special or secret language--made-up terms, or words given spiritualized definitions

And so on.
I don't offer that list to "define" a cult, but to give you an idea of how I would build a list. Perhaps others might like contribute?

IE: How they CAN correspond to WHAT MIGHT be in the body... If you don't mind-

No comment. No.
Know comment.

This text contain some overviews on cult mentality

https://jonestown.sdsu.edu/?page_id=93938

”Understanding Cult Membership:
Beyond “Drinking the Kool-Aid”

by Melissa M. Greiser

(Melissa Greiser wrote this thesis to fulfill a graduation requirement as an Honors student at SUNY New Paltz in 2019.)

Abstract

While there is a plethora of research discussing the concepts of social psychology that are involved in cult membership, which explain that the people involved with cults are typical individuals and there are many basic factors that contribute to their involvement, public perception of cults and their members still seems to be deeply negative. It is possible that if these studies were more widely acknowledged, public perception of cult members would become less negative. Examining the psychology behind cult membership can shed light on the many factors that influence human behavior, which may make it easier for the public to understand how cults can be appealing. Fundamental concepts of social psychology, including affiliation motivation and the need to belong, persuasion and the factors that are responsible for making it more effective, cognitive dissonance, ingroup bias, and social identity theory, can be used to explain how people become involved in cults and why they choose to remain in the group.”

.....maybe "Jesus" did speak to Joseph Smith, if so then He set up Smith to be eliminated (killed) by ordering Smith to start collecting wives and then not doing much to advise or protect Smith in the unpleasant aftermath of Smith being obedient to that commandment.

That is the big thing about MORmON "Jesus" -He is not very bright or trustworthy or dependable !!

Never express doubt to ANYONE when there's a chance that word of it might eventually make its way to leaders.