I'm assuming you've heard of the BITE model (behavior, information, thought, and emotional control) for evaluating whether a group is a cult? I was just watching a video this morning of ex-Mormons examining this Mormon mom group on Facebook and it fit many of the BITE model criteria
Ooh no (and now I feel woefully undereducated!) but I just looked that up! That's great info. I wonder if there's a tipping point where it goes from "culty" to full-on cult?? (like how many answers do you have to circle yes to?).
A resource I had in the back of my mind while writing this article was a book I read called "In the House of Friends" that's about spiritual abuse. It really helped me broaden my definition of a cult to more than just Jim Jones stuff. https://www.amazon.com/House-Friends-Understanding-Spiritual-Christian-ebook/dp/B08CYB5G67. And also the book "Cultish" by Amanda Montell - covers all kinds of cults / cultish groups, from Jim Jones to stuff like Crossfit groups!
Also, I just listened to your most recent podcast interviewing the ex-Mormons! That was so interesting. I had a lot of Mormon friends and even dated a Mormon guy for a minute in my 20s but forgot / didn't realize how DIFFICULT it is to officially leave the church!!! Yikes - how culty!!
And here is the oerfect example to demonstrate the Trump cult: Days before the 2020 election Steve Bannon broadcast to a listening audience exactly how Trump planned to cheat—cut off counting before mail-in ballots came in, declare victory early whether winning or not, claim fraud immediately upon not winning regardless of facts. Republican Christians always considered themselves the party of morality. So why did that broadcast not ring alarm bells in the heads of every moral Christian Republican and cause them to realize they were supporting a liar and criminal in the presidency? Answer: Because they were blinded by complete unquestioning loyalty to the cult. Their consciences were and are seared to their own support of gross immorality because they believe the cult is chartered by god for a higher purpose. Never mind that they know god does not condone lying, cheating, or criminal conspiracy to steal elections. They flat out don’t see it because of cult blindness.
Wow! That comment is so good i think I’ll make it a blod article and link to your article Christine. See, you inspired me again!! LOL
I love that example! Were you watching it last night? Usually I write these posts over the course of several days but this one I wrote last night, which means I'm kicking myself for other ideas I left out that I could have put in! 😅 I definitely think you should write that article! Perfect example of overlooking morals and behaving unacceptably due to their blind obedience to the cult. Yesss. Thanks for adding this, Chuck!
I DID watch last night, and I can see why it fired you up to write something, Christine! Me too! One commentator said something to the effect that it was a portrait of a murderous sociopath and psychopath revelling in the violence that he incited. I just finished my article springboarding off of yours with a reference and link to your article in the introductory paragraph. :-) Here's the link to my story: https://medium.com/the-transformation-blog/rejecting-the-trump-cult-cf8205eb86b2
I'm assuming you've heard of the BITE model (behavior, information, thought, and emotional control) for evaluating whether a group is a cult? I was just watching a video this morning of ex-Mormons examining this Mormon mom group on Facebook and it fit many of the BITE model criteria
Ooh no (and now I feel woefully undereducated!) but I just looked that up! That's great info. I wonder if there's a tipping point where it goes from "culty" to full-on cult?? (like how many answers do you have to circle yes to?).
A resource I had in the back of my mind while writing this article was a book I read called "In the House of Friends" that's about spiritual abuse. It really helped me broaden my definition of a cult to more than just Jim Jones stuff. https://www.amazon.com/House-Friends-Understanding-Spiritual-Christian-ebook/dp/B08CYB5G67. And also the book "Cultish" by Amanda Montell - covers all kinds of cults / cultish groups, from Jim Jones to stuff like Crossfit groups!
Also, I just listened to your most recent podcast interviewing the ex-Mormons! That was so interesting. I had a lot of Mormon friends and even dated a Mormon guy for a minute in my 20s but forgot / didn't realize how DIFFICULT it is to officially leave the church!!! Yikes - how culty!!
And here is the oerfect example to demonstrate the Trump cult: Days before the 2020 election Steve Bannon broadcast to a listening audience exactly how Trump planned to cheat—cut off counting before mail-in ballots came in, declare victory early whether winning or not, claim fraud immediately upon not winning regardless of facts. Republican Christians always considered themselves the party of morality. So why did that broadcast not ring alarm bells in the heads of every moral Christian Republican and cause them to realize they were supporting a liar and criminal in the presidency? Answer: Because they were blinded by complete unquestioning loyalty to the cult. Their consciences were and are seared to their own support of gross immorality because they believe the cult is chartered by god for a higher purpose. Never mind that they know god does not condone lying, cheating, or criminal conspiracy to steal elections. They flat out don’t see it because of cult blindness.
Wow! That comment is so good i think I’ll make it a blod article and link to your article Christine. See, you inspired me again!! LOL
I love that example! Were you watching it last night? Usually I write these posts over the course of several days but this one I wrote last night, which means I'm kicking myself for other ideas I left out that I could have put in! 😅 I definitely think you should write that article! Perfect example of overlooking morals and behaving unacceptably due to their blind obedience to the cult. Yesss. Thanks for adding this, Chuck!
I DID watch last night, and I can see why it fired you up to write something, Christine! Me too! One commentator said something to the effect that it was a portrait of a murderous sociopath and psychopath revelling in the violence that he incited. I just finished my article springboarding off of yours with a reference and link to your article in the introductory paragraph. :-) Here's the link to my story: https://medium.com/the-transformation-blog/rejecting-the-trump-cult-cf8205eb86b2