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In Reply to: Is The Family a cult? posted by Acheick on July 26, 2004 at 13:05:05:
I don't like the name cult either. It is such a broad term sometimes used in a positive manner such as in "a popular 'cult' classic movie". I think NDDCM or 'New Deviant Destructive Criminal Movement' would be a more apt description of the family.
But as far as cult goes, it does fit far better than NRM does. Using NRM makes it fit in with something sounding more normal, like a new idealistic group that forms and gets known, grows and becomes an established religion with some distinct though not necessarily harmful doctrines. Why do I think NRM is a misrepresentation of the family? Because I see the Family more akin to Charles Manson or the Process and I wouldn't call them a NRM for the same reasons.
Here are some questions to consider regarding the family which I believe are all substantiated as answerable with a resounding YES. They illustrate why I believe the Family is not simply a "NRM".
Does The Family have a double standard when it comes to how they present themselves and how they operate internally?
Does the Family ever engage in any serious criminal behavior?
Does Family leadership ever blame their own followers for the doctrines that are illegal and controversial and abusive which they themselves initiated and systematically promoted?
Does Family leadership promote frequent lying for 'security reasons'?
Does The Family go by a plethora of names and orgs which often deny their association to the organized group "The Family"?
Has the Family refused to compensate its known victims of sexual abuse, hard labor and just about every other kind of abuse in any meaningful way?
Does The Family top leadership infantilize or put followers in a submissive position by having adults call them Mama or King and Queen?
Does The Family see itself as God's "Cream of the Crop" and the rest of the world as less-than?
Does The Family use Mind Control Tactics as used by infamous political leaders or other misguided guru's?
Is The Family "destructive" to its followers?
