Cult or cult like?

by poppers 4 Replies latest jw experiences

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  poppers

  I came across this site that has an entry by a psychotherapist who has an interesting take on cults and organizations that foster cult like behaviors. It is from a site dedicated to people who have exited the Transcendental Meditation movement. From one of his previous entries there is a link to his own website.
  
  http://tmfree.blogspot.com/
  
  His site:
  
  http://knappfamilycounseling.com/
  
  Maybe someone here will find something useful or insightful.
  poppers
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  nvrgnbk

  Thanks for sharing this poppers!
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  Merry Magdalene

  Thanks for the links Poppers. I found his definition and focus in regard to "cultic relationships" quite interesting:

  How do you define a "cult"?
  
  To be honest, as a psychotherapist, I do not concern myself overly much with defining which groups are cultic. My concern is with my clients' understanding of their experiences. I tend to focus on "cultic relationships." I define a cultic relationship as a relationship between any group and an individual in which the individual experiences such high-intensity demands on their time and resources that they experience dysfunction in one or more core life areas: family, friendships, love relationships, career or school, finances, community, law, spirituality, recreation, physical well-being, emotional well-being, and mental well-being. (Using this definition, you could define a "cult" as any organization that knowingly or unknowingly encourages cultic relationships in its members in order to meet the goals of the cult leader(s) for power, sex, money, drugs, or whatever.)
  
  I focus on the cultic relationship because in psychotherapy personal responsibility is a more important concept than blame. "Blame" is largely about the past: Who did what to whom when. "Responsibility" is largely about the future: Who will take the steps necessary for change in a positive direction. In psychotherapy, responsibility always lies with the client. Only the client can make meaningful change to improve his or her life. This is true in treating cult veterans as well. The cult may have encouraged dysfunctional behavior, but only the client can end that behavior and move on.

  ~Merry
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  FlyingHighNow

  Hey, Poppers, looks like you are finally getting a few hits here. Glad you got some comments as well.
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  poppers

  Yes, there have been 20 hits and 3 comments since I gave you the link. Thanks.