Is our government acting like a cult? [View All]

[kitkat65]

I've been thinking about this lately and if it's already been discussed here, sorry for the redundancy.

This is a partial list of characteristics of cults from the website http://www.csj.org/infoserv_cult101/checklis.htm

I've listed only the ones that seem obvious to me but I'm interested to hear other opinions about whether these characteristics can be applied to what is currently happening within our government.

• The group displays excessively zealous and unquestioning commitment to its leader and (whether he is alive or dead) regards his belief system, ideology, and practices as the Truth, as law.

• The group is elitist, claiming a special, exalted status for itself, its leader(s) and members (for example, the leader is considered the Messiah, a special being, an avatar—or the group and/or the leader is on a special mission to save humanity).

• Questioning, doubt, and dissent are discouraged or even punished.

?• The group has a polarized us-versus-them mentality, which may cause conflict with the wider society.

?• The leader is not accountable to any authorities (unlike, for example, teachers, military commanders or ministers, priests, monks, and rabbis of mainstream religious denominations).

?• The group teaches or implies that its supposedly exalted ends justify whatever means it deems necessary. This may result in members' participating in behaviors or activities they would have considered reprehensible or unethical before joining the group (for example, lying to family or friends, or collecting money for bogus charities).

• Members are encouraged or required to live and/or socialize only with other group members.

• The group is preoccupied with making money.
?
• The leadership induces feelings of shame and/or guilt in order to influence and/or control members. Often, this is done through peer pressure and subtle forms of persuasion.

There are other characteristics listed which I didn't think really applied, but most are present. If you want to research other characteristics, just google "characteristics of a cult."