Each and every one of you will recieve a personalized thank-you note, and a signed 81/2" x 11" of me.
Posts: 26077 | Registered: Mar 2000
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*is scrawling "I send my devotion to one hot Jatrequera. Keep shaking! Love, Kat" on picture for Amka*
Posts: 26077 | Registered: Mar 2000
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quote:I've found M. Scott Peck to be a little scary, myself. If I remember correctly, not only did he advocate kidnapping people for deprogramming, but in one of his books, he stated that he'd sleep with a client if he thought it would be psychologically helpful to her.
I don't remember the 'kidnapping people for deprogramming' reference, but I do very clearly remember him talking about how he'd sleep with a client if he thought it would be psychologically helpful for her. It was limited, though, by saying that he couldn't imagine a scenario where that would be the case. I got the impression from the passage that he couldn't imagine it, but since he hadn't treated every woman in the world, he was willing to postulate that it was possible that such a case could conceivably exist. That caveat made it possible for me not to completely flip. I assume the reason for the deprogramming comment, if it was in one of his books, was a product of the times. I remember a real trend of commentary on kidnapping for cult deprogramming in the late 70s, early 80s. But perhaps I'm too much a Peck apologist.
I like his books, though I'll admit that his books on community building are real snoozers. I liked the one he did on euthanasia. It was very thought provoking.
Posts: 5948 | Registered: Jun 2001
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All joking aside, though, "cult" is usually only properly used in a sociological sense. Often the people using the term perjoratively don't understand it and therefore fling it at anyone they consider "unorthodox." This is why a large number of evangelicals include your typical protestants and exclude Christian Scientists, LDS, Jehovah's Witnesses, etc.
In reality, there are cults within various "accepted" faiths. And all ritual is cult. There's the cult of Mary (or insert other saint as desired) in Catholicism - followers show greater than average dedication/devotion to those precepts or articles.
"Cult" when used properly has to do with worship. Anything having to do with a system of beliefs or religion in general is cult.
Cult is often used when many people mean "occult," therefore meaning paganism, wiccan, etc.
This is just a jumble of thoughts - I'm a little distracted - but I hope the meaning comes through. Many people use "cult" as an insult or scare tool. "They're bad; they're a cult" because they don't understand what they're talking about.
quote:All joking aside, though, "cult" is usually only properly used in a sociological sense.
It's also often used properly in an anthropological sense.
quote:Anything having to do with a system of beliefs or religion in general is cult.
This is not technically correct. Cult does not mean anything having to do with a system of beliefs or religion. Cult specifically refers to the ritual and/or practice of a religion or system of belief.
Posts: 4534 | Registered: Jan 2003
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Which is more specifically what I meant. I think that comes through in the post itself, but I should have been more exact. I was in a little bit of a rush when I posted.
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I'm sorry Ryuko, I need at least a quarter. Your two cents, will, however go towards the Antarctic picnic. I believe we may buy 1/8 teaspoon of butter.
Good start, though! Try again!
Posts: 26077 | Registered: Mar 2000
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