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> the word "cult" ... have been diluted past all meaning Another interpretation is that Cult has been somewhat disarmed from it's modern, weaponized usage. H
by WarOnPrivacy 2y ago
> the word "cult" ... have been diluted past all meaning
Another interpretation is that Cult has been somewhat disarmed from it's modern, weaponized usage.
Historically, Cult was as a neutralish term.
In discussing religious groups, Cult helped clarify that the group in focus was a subset of a larger group. It was also used as a catchall reference to small religions.
In the latter 20th century, Evangelical authors/lecturers (eg:Walter Martin) strongly associated Cult with evil and used it to help introduce+nurture animosity toward smaller, unliked Christian faiths.
If Cult hadn't been so loaded with sinister vibes, it might not have become the term we use to reference cloistering, manipulative groups.
- lolinder 2y agoEh, when paired with "fascist" it's pretty clear that OP is using "cult" in much the same way that Evangelical Christians use it. Both words are essentially a label that identifies a movement as something that you should be opposed to if you're not either evil or naive.
- WarOnPrivacy 2y ago> [cult is] essentially a label that identifies a movement as something that you should be opposed to if you're not either evil or naive. I don't disagree with your assessment here. I am okay, however, with Cult becoming defanged. Cult's negative connotations sprung from the worst of intentions - to divide Christians by demonizing other, smaller Christian faiths. Turning a vulnerable group into an (punishable) enemy is a classic fascist tactic. I argue that the negative associations with 'Cult' were originally a product of fascist methods. The further we are from all of that, the better I'll feel.