That checklist is very good, but the discharging part is difficult because it assumes there would be no consequences of saying "such & such makes me angry". It would be nice to see a longer list in the discharge area of things to do to discharge anger in the frequent situations in which immediate expression would only cause a worse problem. What do you think of some of the c
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Yes, so when you see what looks like a cult develop around an aging or dead artist, it is probably a good idea to look at whether there is another person "pulling strings". If it is just an enthusiastic fan club that attracts people looking for a group to identify with, then that wouldn't be the same thing because those people seek out that art, don't they? Often like rock
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

QuoteThe most frequently cited single feature of a destructive "cult" is that it is personality-driven I have noticed that the Christian groups which seem more cult-like are always emphasizing the personal relationship with Jesus and the acceptance of certain key verses, which may vary from cult to cult but which are isolated from other parts of the bible and which are singular for ea
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

QuoteMy philosophy, in essence, is the concept of man as a heroic being, with his own happiness as the moral purpose of his life, with productive achievement as his noblest activity, and reason as his only absolute." —Ayn Rand I pulled this off her site's main page. What is "productive achievement" supposed to mean? To my way of thinking, an "achiev
Forum: Celebrities associated with "cult-like" groups

I remember being perplexed by the way some students carried Atlas Shrugged around the same way Campus Crusade For Christ carried their Bibles. I tried to read the book and did not find it at all interesting or significant. Now I understand, seeing that there was a larger org built around her books, that these students were responding to a sense of membership in a group, not to the author herse
Forum: Celebrities associated with "cult-like" groups

I need to correct myself: I should have said "art cults" and not "artists" because the cults have artists as a tool, but the artists are often either dead or elderly, or otherwise not in control. Not always, but often.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

There was a long and fascinating history about Robert Moses in the Village Voice paper some years ago, I think. One of those interesting book-length tabloids, anyway. I have lost most of my library in moving. This is what I remember: Moses was a "mantra" name that signaled nap-time for me in classes at college, *lol*..... I read the article long after leaving school. Here is a go
Forum: Celebrities associated with "cult-like" groups

Often it is someone in later life who profits off the artist's reputation, because as the artist nears the end, many know that the work will increase in value afer death. I am not kidding! It can be hard for people who knew an artist as a human being, to see these opportunists flock around. I think some of them are art-groupies who are looking for someone to play the role for them. But
Forum: Celebrities associated with "cult-like" groups

I am a artist who has been involved with activities more than once that now seem cult-like. This has involved several committees that do not appear to be connected to each other, but as soon as you get involved with any of them, you are expected to be involved with all of them. Artists get shows and appear to be making money, but the people behind the show actually keep the money. The fi
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Know anything about ???
Forum: Abusive and Controlling Relationships