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With the state of the world today, I'm genuinely surprised we haven't seen a resurgence of cults taking advantage of disenfranchised youth in the world. I guess

With the state of the world today, I'm genuinely surprised we haven't seen a resurgence of cults taking advantage of disenfranchised youth in the world. I guess with movements like ISIS and what-not, we definitely are seeing it in some fashion. But I am legitimately surprised we haven't seen a return to alternative spirituality cults like we seemed to have (at least in the US) in the 60's and 70's. Also: >disciples joined Engelhardt in a life of quiet island devotion. Together, they sun-bathed for hours a day, swam in the cool waters of the Pacific, and ate their holy fruit. sounds just amazing.

Cthulhu_ 5y ago
> With the state of the world today, I'm genuinely surprised we haven't seen a resurgence of cults taking advantage of disenfranchised youth in the world. Eh? There's plenty, but they probably don't register as cults as such; I'm thinking of the various groups (big overlaps in the venn diagram) of amongst others flat earthers, qanon, birthers, the manosphere, anti-vaxxers, Trumpists, etc; These pose a real danger to society, as proven by the January 6th attack on US democracy and congresspeople, the reduction in vaccination rates (leading to pockets of vaccine-preventable diseases like measles), and more recently, regressing in women's rights. These are... kind of spiritual, in that they look at Q as a prophet, Trump as the new coming of Jesus, and a lot of, let's say, "alternative" medical practices like essential oils, bleach enemas, dewormers and whatnot as an alternative to modern day established health care. >>disciples joined Engelhardt in a life of quiet island devotion. Together, they sun-bathed for hours a day, swam in the cool waters of the Pacific, and ate their holy fruit. > sounds just amazing. It was a tropical holiday disguised as a cult, lol
- nkigvvzf 5y ago
SyzygistSix 5y ago
There are lots of smallish New Age/self-improvement cults. Scientology and NXIVM have been a lot in the news. Folks like Bentinho, Teal Swan, the Raelians. It is as popular and more pay-to-play than ever.
cowvin 5y ago
Out of curiosity, are you somehow forgetting about QAnon, the incel movement, etc?

Cthulhu_ 5y ago

> With the state of the world today, I'm genuinely surprised we haven't seen a resurgence of cults taking advantage of disenfranchised youth in the world. Eh? There's plenty, but they probably don't register as cults as such; I'm thinking of the various groups (big overlaps in the venn diagram) of amongst others flat earthers, qanon, birthers, the manosphere, anti-vaxxers, Trumpists, etc; These pose a real danger to society, as proven by the January 6th attack on US democracy and congresspeople, the reduction in vaccination rates (leading to pockets of vaccine-preventable diseases like measles), and more recently, regressing in women's rights. These are... kind of spiritual, in that they look at Q as a prophet, Trump as the new coming of Jesus, and a lot of, let's say, "alternative" medical practices like essential oils, bleach enemas, dewormers and whatnot as an alternative to modern day established health care. >>disciples joined Engelhardt in a life of quiet island devotion. Together, they sun-bathed for hours a day, swam in the cool waters of the Pacific, and ate their holy fruit. > sounds just amazing. It was a tropical holiday disguised as a cult, lol

nkigvvzf 5y ago

SyzygistSix 5y ago

There are lots of smallish New Age/self-improvement cults. Scientology and NXIVM have been a lot in the news. Folks like Bentinho, Teal Swan, the Raelians. It is as popular and more pay-to-play than ever.

cowvin 5y ago

Out of curiosity, are you somehow forgetting about QAnon, the incel movement, etc?