QuoterrmoderatorSome cults may evolve into religions. But most cults die out after the founder/leader dies. The driving force of a cult and its most salient single feature is an absolute authoritarian leader that becomes the defining element of the group. See Psychiatrist Robert Jay Lifton, who wrote the definitive book about thought reform (often called "brainwashing") als
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

I am researching cults for a film project I am working on and after studying the definition of a cult what makes a cult different then any other religion? Christianity fits all the definitions as well. But there are many sects of Christianity. But I looked at it and was trying to determine what the difference is in general as I could not think of any religion that was not a cult. Westboro
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Quoteskeptic23Another thing I might mention is TZM becoming an activist arm of The Venus Project. TZM was initially sort of like AboveTopSecret and sites like that: a place for people to discuss conspiracies, alternative history, psueo-science and things of that nature. On a whim, Peter Joseph Merola decided that Jordan Maxwell was no longer his inspirational figure and hero, but Jacque Fresco wa
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Quotejames kushIm sure I can guess this person was a) a troll b) liar c) taken out of context d) invented by a critic Well, without the context of the thread I cannot provide you with an answer. They said the thread was closed and that means it was locked. Sometimes moderators lock threads when people cannot seem to remain civil during the discourse in that thread. Threads about partic
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

QuotecorboyThere's been a lot of grim and ugly exhanges on other venues. When things get nasty at a personal level, (disclosure of private information and cruel ridicule) it robs one of crediblity. Here, what is usefl would be to offer information in the manner that Skeptic did, describing the actual time and money commitment a ZM member is going to give. And whether disagreement a
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

QuotejimjesusQuoteVTV JimJesus, (Machwon) Do you recall making this statement on the Skeptic forums? "I will admit this: I have seen Mario use very sensational and sometimes misleading titles for his videos and blogs. I have seen Kush publish information that turned out inaccurate when new evidence has surfaced. I can't speak for the occult aspects of it as I am not well versed in
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

So, in case there was any doubt about this: This is the list: It was made in response to things like this screenshot, taken from a Zeitgeist Facebook group that was basically there for the purpose of attacking TZM members. They took private photos from my personal facebook account to ridicule and mock me and the friend who is in this picture with me. There were many more of these pict
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Quoteskeptic23 The forums also contained an enemies list: a list of people's Facebook accounts that were off limits to members. There is absolutely NO language in this post that suggests that these accounts were "off limits" or that the people on that list were "shunned". I make it very clear what that list was for. If I have to go hunt up screenshots of various thi
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Quoteskeptic23I stand by the statements made in my posts. I expected you to disagree with them, and that's fine. But I will not debate with you. Does that include the statements I just proved you lied about?
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

QuotejimjesusVTV, The only point I am trying to make here in regard to the forum is that TZM's official message board was not open to debate or outside views which you implied. I only withed to correct this error. TZM's message board were strictly moderated and did not allow for any opposing views in all the time I was familiar with it. I'm not here to debate you VTV. I'
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

QuotecorboySkeptic23 QuoteBut I do think it is an e-sect (or Internet-Sect) that promotes an isolating and unhealthy world view. When something almost entirely exists on the Internet, I think it is fair to criticize how moderation is done. On the surface, yes, it was just a forum. But in the context of the e-sect, the forum was a temple. ... It may sound silly, but if you really believe
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Quoteskeptic23I'm not sure The Zeitgeist Movement is a cult, I've never really agreed with that particular label. But I do think it is an e-sect (or Internet-Sect) that promotes an isolating and unhealthy world view. When something almost entirely exists on the Internet, I think it is fair to criticize how moderation is done. On the surface, yes, it was just a forum. But in the context
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

QuotejimjesusVTV says: "We didn't ban people from TZM forums for varying viewpoints. We banned them for attacking and bullying people. " "Again, as I have already pointed out and has yet to be refuted people were not banned for voicing dissent" This is false. This was a screen shot that was taken of the forums' old suspended/banned user list. In it it gave det
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

QuotejimjesusQuoteVTVQuotejimjesus VTV, Are claiming that the former Official Zeigeist Movement Forums were open to non-members and debate? -Jim Initially they were. We ended up dealing with hundreds of questions posted that could of easily been answered in the FAQ. So then we put in the Quiz. And even after that we ended up spending hours and hours and hours sifting through "noise
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Quotejimjesus VTV, Are claiming that the former Official Zeigeist Movement Forums were open to non-members and debate? -Jim Initially they were. We ended up dealing with hundreds of questions posted that could of easily been answered in the FAQ. So then we put in the Quiz. And even after that we ended up spending hours and hours and hours sifting through "noise" as it was desc
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

To illistrate that the conversations being quoted here by Corboy are obviously being taken out of context (quote mining), I will post some of the positive comments from the same link: [-] 2 points by gitano513 (18) from New York, NY 9 months ago I would love to see this implemented in my lifetime!! I honestly believe it can work and it will solve so many issues immediately. The ONLY thin
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

QuoteCorboyAs Others See TZM--from Occupy Wall Street discussion The User there named "Gawdoftruth" is the same person as "Prometheuspan" whom was banned from this forum. Note how you keep seeing the same "usual suspects" all over the internet trying to start up this exact same dialog? People who insisited that we are evil for moderating them on our forums. Ex
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

It's at 1:29:05. It's a very brief clip. And it is amoung a bunch of other images that illistrate the ills of society. Violence, poverty, etc. The exact same footage is used in the film "earthling". To state that it is in some super calm part of the film and is somehow being used for "shock" factor is extremely false. Look for yourself. I can see why I easily
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

QuotePositive dialog about the movie. Royba1984 Big eye opener! People need to wake up for sure!!! It's obvious that modern day "money mechanics" has succeded by putting most beings on the negative path of "service to self". Firstly we should stop arguing amongst ourselves and produce productive opinion and conversation. Hopefully we can all become 'light warriors&
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

QuoteCorboyI had no opinion about TZM when this thread first began. After watching TZM defenders in action, I am now (citizen's opinion) convinced that if TZM ever were to remake the world to its specifications, dissenters would indeed be unwelcome. The treatment accorded to people who write that they disliked viewing the Zeitgeist movies or feel troubled by TZM's political implic
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Since James Kush's blog has been referenced several times, and since for some reason random "dissenting opinions" that do not involve cults have been deemed "relevant" I felt the need to quote some responses to James Kush's blog that are from people who DO NOT support TZM. QuoteIamlillith what do you think you have here? most of this is from 2011. you trashed Pet
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Reading over this stuff you quoted, I would point something else out. You are quoting stuff here that breaks the rules of the forum in of itself. It is rife with irrelevant personal attack. Sometimes profanity mixed in with it. Do you think you are making some sort of "point" by posting this stuff here to try and "teach TZM a lesson" or something? You are re-postin
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

QuotecorboyIf TZM has a secure following and a future, why be so upset at a few dissenting voices, eh? Nobody is upset. What I don't understand is why you are wasting the resources of this forum. This forum is supposed to be for the analysis of groups or organizations to see if they are cults. Every activist organization has controversy. What my problem is with what you are doing is th
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

So you found a bunch of random excerpts from random forums on the internet of people's uninformed opinions. That's great. If that's data that is useful for this conversation, can I start making huge posts of people talking positively about the movement? Again Corboy, I don't understand what you are doing. Did you read my post suggesting that you actually review TZM materia
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

As I understood it, this website's purpose is to evaluate cults or harmful organizations. It seems that the conversation has switched to using independent blogs as the best "source" or at least a credible "source" about the nature of the Zeitgeist Movement. So, rather then focusing so much on links from random people on the internet who could have any number of agenda
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Here you go, here is what people are "in for" when they join TZM.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Quotecorboy And.. VTV input on this message gives outsiders a preview of what they'd be in for by getting involved with TZM. Do you honestly feel that what is going on in this message board or what has been linked by a tiny number of people is any indication as to what people are "in for" if they get involved in TZM?
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

QuotecorboyTo VTV: Friend, want to know why your stuff has been posted here and tolerated for as long as it has? Because the RR.com message board does not resemble TZM. A latitude of discussion and a range of viewpoints is welcome so long as there's no personal attacking and bullying. And.. VTV input on this message gives outsiders a preview of what they'd be in for by getting
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

QuotecorboyTo Anyone Who Has Been in TZM and Now Wants a Discussion Place: If you are fighting with others on other venues, keep the battle over there. But if you want to discuss specifics about life in TZM and how you decided to leave, and feel like sharing here, feel free. Take care to read the rules of use for the message board. This venue has been in existence for 10 years. And
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Quotejames kushTestimony of a Zeitgeister: I am aware about the situation between TZM and TVP. I will no comment that because my opinion doesn’t matter and because it will be a waste of time also. I left TZM cause I felt betrayed, ignored, sad and even angry. Too many ugly conflicts, even dirty politics. Too many rules and no mercy - but only when it comes to “simple” forum users and ignored
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"