Posts by Archer

64

Your best pick-up line?

by Newborn in

jw
friends

i've got a few "would you care for a nice massage?

" lately... and guys i have to tell you... it's not working!!!.

/newby.

MARIJUANA TRIAL

by hihopes2008 in

jw
friends

marijuana trial: swift found not guilty; jurors shake hands with defendant01/29/2009, 2:46 pm addthis button begin

addthis button end print this story | email this story.

dan churney, [email protected], 815-431-4050 headline/byline end start content start left column @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ story content begin on wednesday in la salle county circuit court, several jurors shook hands with an emotional loren j. swift after finding him not guilty of a marijuana charge that would have sent him to prison.. .

Archer

he must have had one too many joints

1

Do Cults Produce Mental Disorders?

by Archer in

jw
friends

lately reading lots of aritcles about what affects brain, so here is one i found interesting on culsts and mental disorders.. ---------.

by mark dunlop .

my basic thesis is that with cults, it is the belief system itself which is the primary active agent in cult mind control, and the actual controlling of mind is done by believers themselves, as they train and discipline their own minds in accordance with the tenets of their new faith or belief system.

Archer

Lately reading lots of aritcles about what affects brain, so here is one I found interesting on culsts and mental disorders.

---------

by Mark Dunlop

My basic thesis is that with cults, it is the belief system itself which is the primary active agent in cult mind control, and the actual controlling of mind is done by believers themselves, as they train and discipline their own minds in accordance with the tenets of their new faith or belief system. The article tries to deconstruct the nature of 'cult-type' belief systems, and to analyze how they differ from 'mainstream' belief systems.
- Mark Dunlop
This is just a summary - to read the entire manuscript, go to: The Culture of Cults.

Here is a brief statement by Mark on whether cult involvement can create or encourage mental disorders, such as borderline or bi-polar disorders. - Editors

Cults promote a belief system which is utopian/idealistic, and also dualistic and bi-polar in nature. Dualistic in that they see the world in terms of two opposite poles, such as good versus evil, the saved and the fallen, the enlightened and the ignorant, etc.

Cult belief systems are also bi-polar in psychological terms, rather like Bi-polar disorder or manic-depression. Cults promote a vision of an ideal 'new self', which members believe they can attain by following the cult teachings. Cult belief systems encourage the aspirant to identify with this imagined ideal new self, and then, from the perspective of this new self, to see their old self as comparatively inferior and flawed. It is ego-utopia or hubris for the new self, and ego-dystonia or shame for the old self.

Believers can experience a sort of religious mania of inspiration, when they are in the hubris phase, identifying with this idealised imaginary new self, with its perfect perception and understanding, etc. They can become addicted to this hubris high, and become dependent on the group and its leadership to validate their spiritual progress and to maintain this inspiration.

There is often a sort of collective arrogance or hubris among established cult members. They see themselves as part of an elite, and look down rather sniffily upon the mores and values of established mainstream institutions.

If members fall out of favour, even temporarily, with the group leadership, or if they begin to doubt if they can achieve the group's ideals, they may experience a sort of religious depression or guilt, over their seeming inability to free themselves from their 'old self', with all its bad habits and weaknesses and lack of faith. This depression reinforces their desire to return to the inspired state, and can reinforce their addiction to the utopian vision of the cult belief system, so there can be a feedback system going on too.
At an extreme, believers fear they will become ill or fall into hell if they leave the group.

All this goes on within a cult members mind. A cult does not control its members by using external coercion. It is the belief system itself which is the primary active agent in cult mind control. The actual controlling of mind is done by the person themselves, as they attempt to discipline their mind and reform their personality, in accordance with the tenets of their new belief system. Effectively, a cult, via its belief system, uses a person's own energy and aspirations against them.

Of course, ordinary society can be a bit bi-polar as well, with its pressure to be successful, with perfect hair, lifestyle, etc.

It sounds like your girlfriend might have some pre-existing issues with self-esteem (don't we all ;) A cult can play on both her anxieties and her aspirations at the same time. They (or their belief system) can potentially make her feel both more guilty about her 'old self' with its normal human weaknesses, and simultaneously inspire her with an imaginary idealised vision of a wonderful new self and a new life. Very bi-polar.

In general, when you talk to a cult member, it can be helpful to understand which self, either the old self with its old set of beliefs or the new self with its new set of cult beliefs, is more dominant at any particular time.

If you criticise a cult member, this may just encourage their tendency to see themselves (their old self) as flawed, and may push them further into the cult. If you criticise their church or group, the cult-member will go into cult-self mode and will see your criticisms as tending to confirm the cult's warnings about the outside world and its negative effects. A better approach may be to acknowledge and encourage a cult member's old self, without criticising or threatening the new cult self. If a cult member feels valued in themselves, and their old self does not feel devalued, then this weakens the cult's attraction for them.

ref..http://www.surrealist.org/betrayalofthespirit/disorders.html

36

Alien Craft Sighted Over Bethel

by compound complex in

jw
friends

please do not panic!

the following was only a dramatization [i think!]:.

today - a typical sunday - is a vege-do-not-leave-the-house sort of day.

Archer

haha I almost believed you

77

What Do You Consider "Hot" When Thinking of a Male or Female?

by minimus in

jw
friends

either describe what's "hot" to you or put a pic out so we can see.

Archer

The ability to speak without inserting the word "like" into each sentence at least six times is hot too.

oh yeah, you can say that again.

I love hourglass figure, eyes and hair (on her head)

6

I just gotta share this joke with you !

by hubert in

there's this old guy, and this young guy in a supermarket.

each one is pushing a shopping cart around, and as they reach the end of an aisle, they run smack into each other.. the old guy says..."i'm so sorry, i wasn't paying attention to where i was going because i am looking for my wife.".

young guy says..."that's okay, it's my fault, too.

Archer

That would be German humor

66

I LOVE YOU!

by sacolton in

just wanted to say, "i love you!

" to everyone!.

(hey, it's friday ... i'm in a good mood!

Archer

I'm kind of fond of myself too

29

Men: what do you want us women to know to understand you better?

by LouBelle in

jw
friends

us women have always told you what we want, how to be treated, now it's your turn.

what do men want us to know about you?

Archer

"Men have two emotions: Hungry and Horny. If you see him without an erection, make him a sandwich."

hahaha

As they say the way to a man's heart is through his stomach. I guess what ladies should understand is that guys do understand without having to say they understands things. Understand?

But seriously, I think very few men would want to spend time in talking, they'd rather go straight to sex, and dirity talk during it.. well it is as deep as it gets.

here is the essence from man of depth John Nash - Beautiful mind

"I don't exactly know what I am required to say in order for you to have intercourse with me, but could we assume that I said all that? I mean essentially we are talking about fluid exchange right? So could we go just straight to the sex?"

45

Do You Believe It's Possible We Might Be In "The Time Of The End"?

by minimus in

jw
friends

many religions other than jws believe we are at the "end times".

some individuals believe the earth will really be destroyed either by means of god or man in this century.. what's your take?.

Archer

I think we are capable of screwing things up big time. Actually, when you think about it there has never been a civilisation that hasn't fail in the end. So this one will too sooner or later. But if you ask if I'm expecting "second coming" kind of the end then no I'm too materialistic as they say to believe in invisible.

58

Do you believe that a woman has to be married to be happy?

by MsMcDucket in

i'm just wondering because i was raised to believe that a woman should get married and have children.

i think that this is an out-dated philosophy and that girls shouldn't be taught that they have to be in a marriage to be complete.

please, discuss.

Archer

I guess some ladies need that kind of security but I would doubt if they are truly happy. I think most of them settle for less then they are worth because guy called husband is a stable, predictable sun of a gun, while the man of their dreams is way too wild to be tamed any time soon. Though late at night, in deep sleep they still long after that elusive ghost that just won't let them go quietly into the night.