Cults

Cults

Examining Cults In The Work Place (or in other types of community settings)

While religious belief and practice does not appear to have a place in the work place or work environment, (or in many other types of communities), it is actually very prevalent. Most of us would disagree and would probably state that we have never encountered any kind of cultic religious belief or practice, much less a structured cult in any work place or in any community with which we are involved. But in reality, many people openly practice cultic activities of various kinds, totally unaware of the reality that this is what they are doing, or that they are participating in cultic activity that is happening in their work place or community.

Momentarily, take a serious look at your own work place or community. Examine it closely using this kind of criterion.

1. First of all, define "cult", as it has a multiplicity of possible definitions, including the following:
some kind of a formal religious veneration or worship

a group of worshippers
a system of religious beliefs and rituals
a body of adherents
religion regarded as unorthodox
a system based on the cure of disease based on dogma or teaching
great devotion to an idea, thing, or person
a fad based on literary or intellectual ideas
a small circle of persons united by devotion or allegiance
an artistic or intellectual movement based on some kind of a figure

2. Secondly, look closely and see if you find some element of oppression, exclusivity, ostracism, impropriety, negative force, control with fear, repression of ideas, abuse, including various forms of mental, physical, psychological, emotional, social or sexual abuse, etc.

3. Is there an element of severe cruelty, particularly directed towards the weak, the injured, the disabled, the elderly, minority groups, the young, the poor, widows and orphans, women, those of other sexual orientation?

4. Are those who would speak out against oppression immediately silenced, segregated or separated from others?

5. Is this setting considered to be 'a family' with the total exclusion of all of one's own immediate family?

6. Is there an element of deception in terms of leadership, teachings, training or practices?

7. Does what is being taught go 'against the grain' in terms of what you consider to be good, right, honest, decent, clean, pure, godly, orthodox, etc?

8. What and who is being worshipped and why?

9. Does this work place or community have an element of control by fear?

10. Is 'Love' included in what is being taught and what does 'Love' in this context signify?

12. Is this 'Life' oriented or 'Death' oriented in its teachings and dogma?

13. Does it have a 'sacrificial' element where you, your life and/or the life of your loved ones might be placed in danger?

14. Is it 'universal' ie. open to all, regardless of race, creed, color, religion or sexual preference?

15. Does your participation leave you at peace, happy, excited, satisfied and enthusiastic about your life and your work or does it leave you angry, miserable, frustrated and depressed?

16. Are those who actively participate extremely well rewarded? Are those who don't or those who object to the questionable teachings or practices openly, who would try to speak out or rebel against this kind of authority, forced to suffer punishment in some way, suffer other forms of abuse including ostracism, isolation, segregation etc.?

17. Are you required to 'do something' extremely negative or very wrong, in order to become part of the workplace, society or community, as some kind of an 'initiation ritual'?

If you and others find that your work place and/or your community are tending toward the nature of a cult, you may or may not be able to rectify the situation. Any attempt to do so, might result in your total expulsion. That might be the very best thing that could happen to you.

Remember that Love wins, even as "God is Love."