A Cult

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I was reading a fictional book, mystery type, when I came across some passages regarding cults. I began to consider the possibility that a lot of our associations as to group memberships as a form of cult. One such group matches a lot of the criteria of being a cult so I asked myself, are martial arts dojo, etc. actually a form of cult? 

Dojo do offer you something and often you hear about some special knowledge you will receive if you sign up now and pay this low, low fee for a certain period of time. Dojo often teach and profess that some ancient secret recently discovered will be yours if you remain a long standing and dedicated student. The Sensei will say that they are the only ones who have this special secret knowledge and only an active member will be the recipient of that special secret knowledge. 

Once the practitioner or student gets involved then group dynamics kick in where the other members begin to treat you, as long as you adhere to the dojo and Sensei’s rules and requirements, special using a type of operant positive feedback conditioning to solidify your membership with this special secret super effective traditional system or style. 

In this dojo under a more or less charismatic knowledgable and exclusive secret special knowledge only imparted to those who are direct students of the Dojo you will be a member for life who will in all likelihood begin to look upon Sensei and Senpai as an entity of devotional attitude and belief. Thereby creating a symbiotic relationship that provides for a willing recipient of extraordinary control by the Sensei and Senpai. 

All of this also falls under an organized psychological and social persuasion using the doctrine of the system, style and dojo while our natural human instincts of group dynamic survival instincts push from the subconscious side further solidifying the connection to the individual to the dojo and its members. 

Such dojo tend to teach a way of life using other triggers of manipulation, deceptiveness and a unique ideology that sells the cult like style and dojo, it creates an exclusivity in membership and it provides a seductive aspect that you, as a member, are chosen specially for this secret and special way by Sensei and his acolytes, Senpai. You as an exclusive member will receive all thise very special kinds of benefits no other can get without membership. 

So, take a look, are you a member of a dojo or are you simply being added to one of many types of cults? Interesting question don’t you think and explains a lot as to why one might refuse to change, change a way of belief and to accept outside information and influences that may contradict the dojo edict. 

Then again, are clubs and such simply the same type of thing using those influences to increase income, to make more money and to be that very special exclusive club? 

Here are those passages that stimulated this train of thought for today’s article :-)

“Cults form around a charismatic individual who promises something. This individual professes some special knowledge. Sometimes the claim is access to ancient secrets, sometimes it is an entirely new discovery to which he or she alone is privy. Sometimes it is a combination of both. The leader offers to share the information with those who follow. Some leaders offer utopia. Or a way out. Just come along, follow me. I’ll make the decisions. All will be fine. In a cult it is this charismatic leader who eventually becomes the object of devotion; in some cases he is actually deified. And as that happens, the leader comes to hold extraordinary control over the lives of his followers. Cults use organized psychological and social persuasion to produce attitudinal changes. They come to exert control over their members. They are manipulative, deceptive, and exploitative.”

“Cults create a whole new reality and thus create a dependence on the organization and its ideology.” 

“Cults come in all shapes and sizes and promise all kinds of benefits.”

“It is seductive to think that you are elite. Chosen.”

Bibliography (Click the link)

p.s. when you read “Cult” I bet you dived right into the most negative perception when in reality cults, like almost all things in this Universe, have a yin side and a yang side where the yin side is beneficial to those who become members while still accepting input from others or outsiders, etc. Something to consider don’t you think? 

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