A secular site promoting use of evidence-based prevention methods to reduce cult victimization
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Saturday, December 17, 2011
Victoria Police launch an investigation into the rape and molestation of a number of children within the Traralgon Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses
"...Victoria Police have launched an investigation into the rape and molestation of a number of children within the Traralgon Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses over the past two years. According to initial reports, the Body of Elders were strictly ordered by the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of Australia to cover-up the multiple rapes of a number of children within the Traralgon Congregation allegedly committed by a fellow member of the Jehovah’s Witness religion. The elders were also instructed to NOT report the rapes to the police or the authorities." Read more by clicking the link.
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Saturday, December 10, 2011
Friday, December 9, 2011
The Duggars: The continuing wackadoodle saga
Here is the latest update in a long, sad story of people sorely misguided by religion. They also seem to be cashing in on their fertility.
The truth is, overpopulation is a major contributing factor to some of the major problems facing us today--economic, ecological, etc. Any sane god(s) would not expect us to blindly overfill the Earth. He, she, it or they, if we were created, fitted us with a nifty thing known as a frontal lobe which has a feature known as logic.
The family's website says this is Michelle's favorite quote:
Come on, Michelle. If the world was overfilled with flowers, so much that other plants couldn't thrive, surely you can envision this causing problems. There is such a thing as too much of a good thing.
From Wikipedia:
The Duggars are conservative Christians, and due to their fundamentalist biblical beliefs, they practice the following: The only television the family watches are wholesome family programming on DVDs, and various historical events. Internet use is restricted. The male family members keep their hair cut short (by cutting their own hair to save money), while the females keep their hair long. The children are home-schooled using a mix of materials, including those of Switched On Schoolhouse, Institute in Basic Life Principles (IBLP), and Accelerated Christian Education (ACE).[8] For college studies, several of the older kids use the CollegePlus! program.[9] The children are discouraged from dating, but rather practice chaperoned courtship, and the couple abstains from physical contact. In addition, the young man seeks permission from the young woman's father to become engaged.
The Duggars raise their children using a buddy system, wherein an older sibling is assigned to a younger sibling and assists in their primary care.
Oh dear.
The truth is, overpopulation is a major contributing factor to some of the major problems facing us today--economic, ecological, etc. Any sane god(s) would not expect us to blindly overfill the Earth. He, she, it or they, if we were created, fitted us with a nifty thing known as a frontal lobe which has a feature known as logic.
The family's website says this is Michelle's favorite quote:
Come on, Michelle. If the world was overfilled with flowers, so much that other plants couldn't thrive, surely you can envision this causing problems. There is such a thing as too much of a good thing.
From Wikipedia:
The Duggars are conservative Christians, and due to their fundamentalist biblical beliefs, they practice the following: The only television the family watches are wholesome family programming on DVDs, and various historical events. Internet use is restricted. The male family members keep their hair cut short (by cutting their own hair to save money), while the females keep their hair long. The children are home-schooled using a mix of materials, including those of Switched On Schoolhouse, Institute in Basic Life Principles (IBLP), and Accelerated Christian Education (ACE).[8] For college studies, several of the older kids use the CollegePlus! program.[9] The children are discouraged from dating, but rather practice chaperoned courtship, and the couple abstains from physical contact. In addition, the young man seeks permission from the young woman's father to become engaged.
The Duggars raise their children using a buddy system, wherein an older sibling is assigned to a younger sibling and assists in their primary care.
Oh dear.
Monday, December 5, 2011
Purge, rinse, repeat! The cult cycle
I was musing on the sick cycle cults have whereby they have a Salem witch trial-style inquest, “find” the evil influence (even if it means making up stories), purge it, have a period of catharsis and renewed affinity to each other, then repeat the cycle. If you’ve ever been in a cult, you know exactly what I mean.
While searching for background material for this post, I came across this excellent list of cult behaviors which is, as the Brits say, “spot on”.
It is as though some of the adherents are not aware of the cycle, or prefer to blindly trust their leaders that there is an actual threat, agreeing with their decision to investigate and expunge it, and feeling a sense of relief and renewed bonds to their fellow cultists. They even appreciate the leaders for providing this opportunity to feel that satisfying “lull after the storm” along with the sense of superiority provided by the opportunity to shun the outcast.
Others—strategists—foresee an upcoming vacancy in the cult family tree which provides them an opportunity to move up a rung on the social ladder.
Others feel powerless to stop it—that was me. I tried to talk sense into a few people and that resulted in suspicion being cast upon me.
It’s a very sick social convention and one that can damage a person well after disaffiliation.
While searching for background material for this post, I came across this excellent list of cult behaviors which is, as the Brits say, “spot on”.
It is as though some of the adherents are not aware of the cycle, or prefer to blindly trust their leaders that there is an actual threat, agreeing with their decision to investigate and expunge it, and feeling a sense of relief and renewed bonds to their fellow cultists. They even appreciate the leaders for providing this opportunity to feel that satisfying “lull after the storm” along with the sense of superiority provided by the opportunity to shun the outcast.
Others—strategists—foresee an upcoming vacancy in the cult family tree which provides them an opportunity to move up a rung on the social ladder.
Others feel powerless to stop it—that was me. I tried to talk sense into a few people and that resulted in suspicion being cast upon me.
It’s a very sick social convention and one that can damage a person well after disaffiliation.
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Saturday, December 3, 2011
Salvation Army--is it a high control group?
Decide for yourself.
Sally officer threatened with job loss for marrying a woman who is not a Sally officer herself.
Salvation Army position statement on homosexuality.
News article alleges Salvation Army lobbies against gay marriage.
Advocacy action: Donate the $3 bills you can print for free here.
Sally officer threatened with job loss for marrying a woman who is not a Sally officer herself.
Salvation Army position statement on homosexuality.
News article alleges Salvation Army lobbies against gay marriage.
Advocacy action: Donate the $3 bills you can print for free here.
Friday, December 2, 2011
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)