Recovery Without the "Anticult"--It Can Be Done! (was ARS going downhill, etc...) - alt.support.ex-cult

Message from discussion Recovery Without the "Anticult"--It Can Be Done! (was ARS going downhill, etc...)

Peter McDermott

More options Jul 30 1997, 3:00 am

Newsgroups: alt.support.ex-cult, alt.religion.scientology, alt.cult.maharaji

From: n...@petermc.demon.co.uk (Peter McDermott)

Date: 1997/07/30

Subject: Re: Recovery Without the "Anticult"--It Can Be Done! (was ARS going downhill, etc...)

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In article <01bc9c69$b63a3b60$cfdbe...@admin-net1.dcaweb.net>,

"Bob S" <boboh...@cryogen.com> wrote:
>Peter McDermott <n...@petermc.demon.co.uk> wrote in article
><B004012C96681C5...@petermc.demon.co.uk>...

>> I don't think so. Poor decision making skills *aren't* the sole
>> prerogative of cultists. Either we apply these tests of irrationality
>> to everyone, or we apply them to no one. How is a cultist any different
>> to someone who has been poorly programmed by their parents? By their
>> peer group? OK, cults are more systematic about their programming, but
>> then the state is pretty systematic as well. Should we decide that all
>> those patriots who support their country during an irrational conflict
>> with other nations is also under the influence of mind control and
>> thus their thoughts are 'not their own'?

>I think I agree with you, but . . .

>Decision making skills weren't in question; anyone can be caught unaware of
>the path they are following - sometimes too late to make an easy change.
>As for the rest, you got my point. There IS no difference between the
>different forms of programming, other than the INTENT. Governments,

I take your point here. I think it's also largely the same one
Dennis is making with regard to his 'bait and switch' argument.

>advertisers, parents, and children regularly spew propaganda, half-truths,
>misleading statements, and outright lies hoping that it will improve their
>position. Cults simply take it one step further, building one mental block
>on top of another until the unwary victim can't see over the top. It is
>thus possible for someone to become a Scientoligist without ever making a
>clearcut decision to do so.

The problem that I have with such arguments is similar to the problem
that I have with the use of the very term 'mind control', and that is
that enough people seem to leave the cult of their own free will when
they come up against circumstances or a decision that tips the balance.

This suggests to me that the process *isn't* simply a passive thing,
with the member operating as a metaphoric 'mug' having ideas poured
into him or her by the Scientology 'jug', but actively participates
in defining and redefining their identity in relation to Scientology,
and it's only when the contradictions between what remains of their
original sense of self comes up against what the cult is asking.

I have a question here. Is anyone aware of anybody who held a position
of authority in the cult who left solely because they came to
recognize that it was a scam, rather than because they were fucked
over or mistreated in some way?

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