Now, now Hitch. It's not as if people are offered a pill that has "dupe" written on it and then it's stupidly swallowed.
For example, I became interested in Buddhism as a means to learn more about meditation practices, something that researchers in the field of science were starting to look at closely, especially in regards to health.
I have a genetic disease that requires very expensive medication (taken daily) to manage a somewhat normal lifestyle. Because I take some of the most advanced medicine on the forefront of medical science (even having been a research patient) I began to look into alternative medicines.
So, following the path of alternative ideas about our body and healing, I came across through so many cross roads and underpasses the SGI.
On a side note, here is a video from youtube that shows some of the unrealized potential of what meditation can achieve:
YoutubeYes, this video may be a fraud, but then again one shouldn't be so dogmatic as to miss the potential that can be found through keeping an open mind.
Anyhow, I am sure many end up in the SGI because of curiosity about Buddhism and became involved, through curiosity about the practice. Anyhow, I made "friends" within the organization and was ushered (unknowingly) in a highly manipulative way towards recieving the gohonzon. While I did not have a magical
perspective initially, social dynamics are a very powerful tool in getting people to comply to ideas. For example, hearing something stated again and again, whether through text or in the endless experiences and presentations that occur at the meetings. Also, through "guidance" and the idea being driven that you can rely on this practice for a breakthrough with your health.
What is so sinister is that they knew my health issue from a discussion with a supposed "friend" which was then distributed to everyone. I had no desire to spread that information around but suddenly everyone would shape their conversations around my health and how it will be overcome.
In fact this was the first sign that things weren't right in la la land. The fact that any conversation you have within the SGI will be relayed across the cult.
Anyhow, social dynamics are powerful to help develop one's perspective. And while I didn't view the practice as magical, once you set to "test" the ideas that are being endlessly conveyed, you will prove the test correct.......confirmation bias. Very sneaky. Even after being entangled in confirmation bias, I didn't see it from a "magical" perspective, but rather through the lens of what's still unknown about the depth of the mind.
I will say that an open mind, curiosity and the powerful force of social dynamics will go along way towards shaping and manipulating perspective. Let's not throw out the baby with the bath water. Even Nichiren Buddhism uses a very powerful "device" which is the practice. There is no doubt that it changed my emotional state. Now if used properly rather than being constructed and mixed with mind control, I wonder what "good" could be extracted from the meditational basis.
In conclusion, I don't want people to feel stupid for joining the cult. It shocked me that I got manipulated. Most people aren't prepared to guard themselves every moment against potential manipulaton (unless they are paranoid) and as a result, many good natured people get caught up. Cults are dangerous and you only get away if one somehow gets out from underneath the mind control.
Remember the U.S soldiers who were captured in North Korea and were brainwashed into taking a stance against their own country? This mind control is very difficult to break and that's why cults continue into the future. Many cult members will read these posts and some will agree and yet they will stay in the cult. Why? MIND CONTROL.
You may smell the rotting carcass under the floorboards of the cult and yet stick around developing that stench in your hair, clothes and everything you assume to be. Cults steal from you, warp you and ultimately destroy you.
Old timer SGI cult members are like husks of human beings. They have been sucked clean of any personal meaning. They look normal on the surface, but their world views are cemented in the cult reality. They are not really with us. It's as if they are life size cult dolls that animate on cue.
KEEP YOUNG PEOPLE AWAY FROM THIS CULT. IT WILL DESTROY RELATIONSHIPS WITH YOUR CHILDREN. IT WILL HARM THEM.
SGI, seriously you need to stop the "2030" campaign with the kid camps and the "youth division" exploitation. Even if you want to be a vibrant healthy cult, gaming people into the future.... leave the fucking kids alone. You monsters.
Rattyboy, your writing style is very good. I feel the exhaustion you convey regarding the endless role of people to attempt to take something from one's life.
This cult shouldn't be viewed any different. I would like to hear more about "consensus circles" as group mind think plays a powerful role in reinforcing concepts and ideas. The 'mob" mentality?
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 08/31/2012 01:00AM by Upgrayed.