cults

[Nina]

Maybe not MA specific, but I would like to know if you made any experiences with cults, maybe also in a more broad sense...Some days ago I met a guy who turned out to be in some groupe, where people meet on a beer to talk english together and share opinions in a friendly way. There was one point I definately found really interesting, he said that everytime he went out, he tries to get in contact with people in order to built up some kind of friendship...So I read that in the USA there are a lot of MA `cults`etc, so who of you made any experiences with that?

[Abbax8]

Maybe not MA specific, but I would like to know if you made any experiences with cults, maybe also in a more broad sense...Some days ago I met a guy who turned out to be in some groupe, where people meet on a beer to talk english together and share opinions in a friendly way. There was one point I definately found really interesting, he said that everytime he went out, he tries to get in contact with people in order to built up some kind of friendship...So I read that in the USA there are a lot of MA `cults`etc, so who of you made any experiences with that?

Nina,
I would not call meeting over a beer (or two:D) and talking English (or some other language) and trying to build friendships characteristic of a cult.

A cult usually involves complete obedience and possibly attributing god-like powers to a single person as in the Jonestown Cult.

What you have described seems totally normal to me, more like a club than a cult.

Peace

Dennis

[Nina]

A cult usually involves complete obedience and possibly attributing god-like powers to a single person as in the Jonestown Cult.

Hi Dennis,
I know what you mean, but do you think that this will be obvious from the beginning on? Maybe not, otherwise they maybe wouldn`t join...

[Abbax8]

Hi Dennis,
I know what you mean, but do you think that this will be obvious from the beginning on? Maybe not, otherwise they maybe wouldn`t join...

I don't really know, some people are more covert than others. I would say to trust your instincts and if you feel uncomfortable, then stay away from them.

Peace

Dennis

[ben]

Interesting topic. I often think that the kind of uncritical obedience required by budo tradition leaves many MA groups open to becoming cults. Fortunately (or not!) this usually just leads to shysters pretending to have skills or lineage that they don't and prolongs the amount of time it takes for them to be found out. Perhaps most super-sokes aren't smart or charismatic enough to become cult-leaders!

But still, where exactly does legitimate love and respect for your sensei end and cultish devotion begin?

b

Re it being obvious from the beginning: I'm sure most cults are not obvious in the beginning but rather seem to offer nothing more sinister than safe, non-judgmental friendship for the vulnerable.

[Brian R. VanCise]

Nina I have been training for a long time in the USA and have not come across what I would call any martial art cult. Your information seems a little off. I am also sure that there are a few out there but that they are like any cult in society at the barest minimum.

[Dale Lackey]

"Cult typically refers to a cohesive social group devoted to beliefs or practices that the surrounding population considers to be outside the mainstream, with a notably positive or negative popular perception."

Pretty much cut and dry to me. I'd say most of us here belong to one. :laugh: "Cult" is just a word like anything else, I think people focus on too much on the negative connotation of it. If you follow a group of people, a teacher or a practice and not a journeyman (journeyperson :D) martial artist, you belong to a cult. Bring on the high protein cool-aid. :laugh: