Cults tend to have many similarities which show up in the arguments used by their disciples/followers/adherents....
https://mindfulpolitics.org/signs-that-your-political-group-is-a-cult/ lists the 8 principle signs of cult behaviour.
yes its psychology that finds these links, but its the cult that acts them out.
- enmeshment in a community of followers (the echo chamber is useful and comes up later)
- zero tolerance of criticism of the leader (he becomes divine and everyone should say what he says and do as he does)
- no accountability of the leader for any possible wrongs, no critical assessment or analysis allowed
- dedication to the utterances of the leader as gospel truth
- silence any doubters who question the leader's utterances
- demonise critics and former members - we see this in action right now as Liz Cheney is now a traitor
- disbelief that any view not from within the cult is "the devil's words" wrong and obviously a lie created by the "enemies" of the cult
- any who try to leave are either captured and subjected to intense "group support" or coldly and silently shunned, though many cult followers also become aggressive and threaten violence against this who leave in fear that the leaver will go to media and denounce the cult.
of these, my fave is No. 7..... this is the safety switch to ensure followers do not heed the words of the infidel - be that right or left, christian or muslim, carnivore or vegan.
Any who take offence at this post should remember none are accused here and we all have our right to believe as we are able.
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