I'd like to put this clip out there and invite fellow board members' thoughts on it.
It's pretty well done and
very deceiving. 21 minutes in length.
[
www.youtube.com]
Must say, if I didn't have any inside familiarity or knowledge about the gakkai cult org., I would have trouble finding fault with its main message. And therein lies the rub. The cult org. is not really about any of that feel good, emotional goodness displayed in the clip. The "World Peace" / Harmony / Friendship angle is the appealing bait (along with the later to be revealed after joining, magic chant), but the reality is is that it is a self-glorification cult of one Japanese man (which is probably the only real and honest hint in the clip, as to the true nature of the $oka cult).
My own thoughts -
Ikeda, again, jumping on the coattails of another world figure, to manufacture an image that his non-substantive efforts are somehow on equal footing in the annals of world history with other pivotal world famous activists.
I especially want to call attention to the portion from 13:45 minutes on. This is deeply ingrained (hidden) double think from the cult org.. It is EXACTLY what the gakkai cult does to it's own members to manipulate them into being "Master & Disciples" of The Dear Leader. (I refuse to use the more politically correct and softer label of "mentor", because it was never referred to as such for most of my time in.)
EXCERPT ~
"The tyranny of images. The propagations of stereotypes and ready made images, may have even increased. Much of the information that floods our world, has been selected and tailored to fit preconceived notions and stereotypes."
"The growth and development of mass media, has actually increased the danger of proliferating stereotypes and ready made images. We are ALL exposed to this risks. It's vital that we each ask ourselves some important questions:
- Do I accept without question, the images shown to me?
- Do I believe unconfirmed reports with first examining them?
- Have I unwittingly allowed myself to become prejudiced?
- Do I really have a grasp of the facts of the matter?
- Have I confirmed these things for myself?
- Have I gone to the scene, have I met the people involved, have I listened to what they have to say?
- Am I being swayed by malicious rumors?"
"I believe that this kind of inner dialogue is crucial."END EXCERPT.
All the above, is EXACTLY what members DON'T do with respect to the gakkai cult org. itself. Why turn it around and apply it to the person (Dear Leader) who supposedly taught you how to "think" this way in the first place? It's deceptively manipulative. For if one were to turn that critically thinking magnifying glass directly onto the cult org. itself, you may be surprised as to what you find. Precisely because many of us here have done so, we can say these things and share our own stories.
"Another way of seeing things", but actually just common sense dressed up as some "unique" earth shattering idea that only The Dear Leader could come up with, reveal and share with the world, in order to save it. Just another dressed up, typical, gakkai cult hijacking (a conglomerate of other people's philosophical approaches) hack job.
There is however, more deep irony in that clip. (See 16:35 minutes on.)
EXCERPT ~
"When we stop looking at ourselves, when we no longer question ourselves, we become self-righteous and dogmatic. Our interactions then become a "one-way street." We cannot hear others and real dialogue becomes impossible."(20:02 minute on.)
"As long as you are suffering, whoever you are and whatever your suffering may be, *I* suffer, too."END EXCERPT.
A PERFECT description of the cult org. itself.
I can also honestly say, as an ex-member of the $oka Gakkai cult org.,
*I* suffered from the cult org.'s abuses and manipulations, too.
The above clip is a potently deceptive appeal to gain members AND an ironically razor sharp double-edged sword that can cut both ways.
I strongly recommend that cult org. members (and prospective members) not compartmentalize their critical thinking into some kind of split-brain, schizophrenic, compromise and allow themselves to be manipulated and abused by the gakkai cult org..
Critical thinking works, but it has to be applied universally.
- Hitch
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/11/2013 05:57AM by Hitch.