I wonder, does the Republican National Committee’s censure of their members show the GOP is a cult? Who could have guessed?
The definition of a cult, according to Wikipedia, a cult is: “a social group that is defined by its unusual . . . philosophical beliefs, or its common interest in a particular personality.”
Wow. Digging further, I found that a cult is, according to yourdictionary.com, “a group of people with extreme dedication to a certain leader or set of beliefs that are often viewed as odd by others, or is an excessive and misplaced admiration for someone . . . or is something that is popular among a certain segment of society.”
I wonder how many people in Maine (and the rest of the United States) understand what they are participating in, and the effects of that involvement to the detriment of our country and state?
An essay by Michael Langone, Ph.D., contends that “American culture rests upon six fundamental values: life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness; freedom; connectedness; common sense; tolerance; and fair play.
It adds, “Cults, because of their subjective/magical philosophical foundations, come into conflict with the wider culture and tend to reject or dishonor these values, thereby generating considerable outrage. This situation poses a challenge to an open culture.” As we know.
So what defines a cult leader? According to study.com, it’s “a person of tremendous charisma who makes followers feel loved and accepted” in their beliefs,” false or not. While claiming to be above the law and the rest of us.
John Wade, Lewiston
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