Well, first things first: Is the People of Praise a cult? I subscribe to the following definition of cult, which is offered by members of the board at the ICSA (International Cultic Studies Association):
“A group or movement exhibiting a great or excessive devotion or dedication to some person, idea, or thing and employing unethically manipulative techniques of persuasion and control (e.g., isolation from former friends and family, debilitation, use of special methods to heighten suggestibility and subservience, powerful group pressures, information management, suspension of individuality or critical judgment, promotion of total dependency on the group and fear of leaving it, etc.), designed to advance the goals of the group's leaders, to the actual or possible detriment of members, their families, or the community.”
Based on this definition, for certain individuals and at certain times, the POP has been a cult. At the same time or at other times, for certain individuals, the POP has not been a cult. I very much dislike taking a relative stance on this issue, but I think we have to until a valid and reliable scientific tool used to identify cults and accurately distinguish them from mainstream religions is developed. Which, as of yet, there is no such tool.
I think it logically follows that POP is a cult and the subsequent argument offers my reasoning supporting this conclusion:
The POP board of governors is a charismatic unit that maintains excessive authority and control over the community, tactics of manipulation such as, guilt and fear arousal, excessive persuasion, induced compliance, pressure against dissent etc. have been consistently employed by lay leaders within the community and this has caused unnecessary psychological distress and has spiritually mislead members of the community. Therefore, although mostly benign, People of Praise is a cult.
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2 comments:
Mr. Eric Stone,
I suggest you read this article published by the President and Executive Director of the ICSA on using the term "Cult" before you begin to tag groups of people with it. I want to particularly draw your attention to the fifth paragraph of the "Using the Term: Considerations" section. I think the People of Praise deserve (as all organizations under such scrutiny) a broad study into every aspect that would lead to a "cult" classification, rather than relatively hasty judgment based on personal experience and observations.
You are entitled to your opinions, sir, but I suggest you adapt Dr. Adrian Reimers's example in spreading them. Reimers appeals to the logos in his blog posts, while many of your blog and forum posts have more shock value than substance when examined closer. Frankly sir, you are capable of less hateful and more productive compositions.
Respectfully,
Peter Coleman
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