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frodobaggins
Oh and thanks to everyone for posting the links. The more people who file
complaints the better.
Well done Frodo- besides those posting here, there are many others doing the same, rest assured.
For all the people out there trying to work out what motivates their spouse, sibling, child, friend to be involved with a group such as this, here is food for thought from www.culthelp.info site where there is a lot of interesting information to compliment this site.
A psychologist friend of mine informed me that anyone in a group or cult with a central leader has a reason or payoff which motivates them as it fulfills something that has long been missing. As with most life issues, the basis is self esteem, but the details are often related to the following quote. I picked this because for UM it seems most salient.
Which are the features most common to spiritual movements which are of psychological influence?
1. The outlook/aspiration of their members
2. The authority of the leader/founder
3. Shared belief in a scripture, revelation, or sayings.
4. Uniqueness of the movement.
5. Salvation through baptism, initiation, or conversion.
6. Belief in a prediction/prophesy
7. Belief versus intellect
8. Common practice of a ritual
9. Sacrifice. Financial secrecy. Favours to the rich.
10. Reprehensible behaviour amongst members.
11. Fear of expulsion
Leader/founder
New religious movements arise usually around a father/mother figure who has gained authority after receiving a special revelation, communication, truth or insight. His/her charisma will vouchsafe loyal followers, even if his/her lifestyle may give rise to severe doubts by some. He may boost his prestige by claiming to follow the footsteps of a an esteemed spiritual teacher, represent an esoteric tradition, be of noble descent, or channel the wisdom of a great mind.
He represents an arche-type in member's subconscious minds. That of a wise father, or mother. He will have a compelling influence on followers who project their father/mother complex on him/her.
During his lifetime the leader will act as a moderator and steer the movement. He will re-interpret his teachings as he sees fit from the responses he receives. The death of the founder marks a turning point. His teachings will become inflexible, as no one dares to temper with them as he did himself. The élan disappears, a rigidity may enter, unless another figure arises that leads the movement in a different direction, for better or for worse.Furthermore, this figure can and does replace primary relationships because the follower has been trying to fulfill that deep need through those relationships unsuccessfully as, unlike cult leaders who claim infallibility, partners tend to be very fallible with their own issues. Many followers have a sort of catharsis when they accept and trust the leader without question, just as you do a parent. Of course, as we grow up we start to realize parents are also fallible but as we received a sense of certainty and trust as a child, we can deal with it as we mature and even learn to love those weaknesses in our parents as we understand our common humanity- a mature parent/child relationship.
This is why when you try to confront or speak with your partner about UM or the infamous SB about the concerns you have over their total trust and seeming lack of normal critical thought, you are met with a wall. They now have something sated long wanting, and you are trying to take it away, which confirms that you are clearly not the right person for them or at best, not to be trusted.
Naturally like all of us when contemplating the source of issues, they have a blind spot to this complex and even if they were to read this it they would argue it does not relate to them.
Serge, like all manipulative people, taps this need perfectly. If you know any UM followers you will hear many say they think of Serge as ‘dad’ or they trust him like a parent, or wise uncle or similar.
Some food for thought when dealing with the affected person you know.