Posted by Suggestion on March 19, 2005 at 09:40:41
In Reply to: M.A. thesis interview needed posted by Monika Kosz on March 13, 2005 at 15:05:15:
Here are some thoughts. I've been re-reading your first post of Jan 19, which was reposted on March 13 at the beginning of this thread, and I've been stepping back emotionally, and re-reading this entire discussion.
The reason for some of my reactions, as I can only speak for myself, are that you could have been asking generic questions about any group, say the girl scouts, or the students alumni. When you were asked to hone in more to this group, you then asked generic questions that you could be asking about any sect, such as the Hari Krishnas or Moonies. There was nothing that was specific to this sect, nor anything that indicated you were knowledgeable of the difficulties in asking such generic questions, irrelevant to our specific sect. Examples, name days.
From what I understand, you are actually doing a study on organizational culture more than you are trying to do a study on the cult itself, correct me if I am wrong. We might have been at cross purposes. On our part we were thinking that you were trying to understand about the cult itself, and could not understand why you'd ask such generic questions.
It appears that you have pre-defined conclusions that we might be mistrustful and on the defensive, and that was the reason for your delicate approach in your initiating post. Although Perry must have confirmed this, we are not all of the same temperament. I do think Perry was overly harsh and far too edgy, and I applaud your answers to him, which were very well thought out.
It can't be easy when you are trying to deal with organizational culture, and you have to deal with the psychology of the victims and followers. We are a complicated bunch to say the least, but speaking for myself, I have no mistrust or problems dealing with someone who does not share the same experiences. Also, for the record, I do not compare my experiences to that of having been in concentration camps. Perhaps that applies more to other members, especially 2nd generation ones.
It also appears that you have pre-defined conclusions which you want to confirm through asking open non-specific questions. This wide-cast fishing makes it hard for you to catch the answers you seek. I understand that you are bound by academic rigors, and the directives of your tutor or supervisor in this project. But I question the methodology, which could be flawed, and hindering you from acheiving the results you want. It is as though behind the scenes you are having a multiple choice or yes/no sheet, which is presented as generic questions on this board. Instead of being flawed by affecting the outcome and observation with bias and specific invasive questions, you ask generic non-commital questions, which will then be molded into your multiple choice format for confirming/denying your thesis. Somehow your questions are closed, but you've tried to make them appear open?
SOme terminology which you are using, has to come into question, if they are the best ones to use. They might mean one thing to you in your studies, but another thing to us, who have come out of the cult as deep thinkers about our entire belief system. "Myths" for example, are subjective. You say you are a Christian, and a non-Christian could say that you believe in the myth of a virgin birth, and that your God had a son, and he rose from the dead. Myths are one party proclaiming that another's belief system is false.
Anyway, I will continue to do what I can to assist you in your research, and to gain a better understanding of this cult if you wish.