How does a nation’s culture heal on a mass level when so many members are likely:
Afraid (because they’ve seen hatred and bullying of the “other” by their group)?
Connected (and fear that leaving their group means ‘going it alone’)?
Brainwashed (because they may have suspended their own critical thinking and fact-finding in order to participate)?
Confused (if they leave, does this make them a “libtard” “stupid” “evil” who would they “be”)?
Supernaturally-oriented (because they have justified heinous acts in the name of religion — or perhaps money)?
Child-like (because they have abdicated adult political, ecological and social responsibility to a singular human authority and related actors)?
Beyond the blue wave we expect in 2018/2020, maybe we need to help liberate millions of individuals from the mental and emotional bondage that holds them in an uncivilized, disconnected mode of thinking and behavior.
Many who live within the group know the actions of hatred, mocking, fractiousness, greed and self-destruction are unsustainable (and can even discuss them as “wrong”), yet are frightened to break free, or call out bad behavior by the leadership of their group even in the smallest of ways.
Perhaps this is because they sense moving away from this worldview would mean a complete dismantling of their lives as they know it.
And they would be right.
But they also need to know they wouldn’t be targets.
This well-crafted worldview of perhaps 1/3 of our citizenry is reinforced by people, organizations, messages and media that support the worldview and present it under names like “patriotism.” The goal of this worldview is certainly self-preservation, and arguably profiteering, but that is another conversation.
So, are you ready to help newly released people to re-assimilate? To feel safe? To find meaning that may seem the opposite of where they found it before? How can YOU be a model of goodness and right action and effectiveness, even while their models of the same has turned completely upside down? How can you even reach them while they are still in the throes of anger, blame and hatred?
Where is your compassion? Can you call it up even now? Even for “them?”
Are we capable of setting aside outrage, AND do the strategic legwork of turnaround AND bring wavering/wondering 45’s supporters into our hearts?
The one thing it seems we cannot do is turn our backs on people, any people— it is not the compassionate way. And it is contrary to the progressive power base too.
Because, if compassion is not one of the cornerstones of a liberal agenda, then what is?
Ideals of fairness and inclusion should include millions of 45-related people being freed, being connected anew, feeling safe within the beliefs that all people deserve life and liberty and the freedom to be adults in a confusing world, and that THIS is okay.
Because it is.
We can do this. All of us.
While the language of “cult” may seem strong, below are some lists that are worth a look and a think:
Signs of being in a cult from The Atlantic Magazine
1. Opposing critical thinking
2. Isolating members and penalizing them for leaving
3. Emphasizing special doctrines outside scripture
4. Seeking inappropriate loyalty to their leaders
5. Dishonoring the family unit
6. Crossing Biblical boundaries of behavior (versus sexual purity and personal ownership)
7. Separation from the Church
Cult identifiers from LifeHacker
Look at Who’s in Charge
Cults are formed around strong leaders, so take a serious look at the motives and personality of the person in charge. According to Morantz and other cult experts, control-freak cult leaders are nearly interchangeable.
Narcissistic personality—Dangerous cult leaders usually hold grandiose notions of their place in the world.
Ability to read others— “A guy like Charles Manson had the ability to spot who, at a party, that he thought he could control. It just seems to be in his personality,” Morantz said. Cult leaders “have the ability to size you up, and realize your weaknesses and get to your buttons.”
Claims of special powers: If a leader claims he’s smarter, holier, and more pure than everyone else, think twice about signing up.
Charisma meets anger: Dangerous cult leaders can be extremely loving, charming and affectionate, but often turn angry and abusive with no warning. This mercurial presentation keeps members off balance.
Top Ten Signs the ‘Group’ You’ve Joined is Not what It Seems, from Huffington Post
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The leader and group are always correct and anything the leader does can be justified.
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Questions, suggestions, or critical inquiry are forbidden.
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Members incessantly scramble with cramped schedules and activities full of largely meaningless work based on the leader’s agenda
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Followers are meant to believe that they are never good enough.
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Required dependency upon the leader and group for even the most basic problem-solving.
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Reporting on members for disobedient actions or thoughts is mandated and rewarded.
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Monetary, sexual, or servile labor is expected to gain promotion.
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The ‘outside’ world — often including family and friends — is presented as rife with impending catastrophe, evil, and temptations.
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Recruitment of new members is designed to be purposefully upbeat and vague about the actual operations of the leader and group.
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Former members are shunned and perceived as hostile.