I've been accused of being in a cult many times. Out of curiosity, I went out to explore what a 'cult' is and felt it prudent to examine my own behaviours and those around me to see if these accusations are true. As I'm sure most of my blog followers are familiar, the first step I usually take is to define the word so that we are all on the same page:
Cult - 1. Worship 2. A particular form of religious worship; esp. in reference to its external rites and ceremonies. 3. Devotion to a particular person or thing. - Oxford Unabridged Dictionary 1958
Just to make sure there is no confusion, I decided to look up 'religion' as well.
Religion - 3. Action or conduct indicating a belief in, reference for, and desire to please, a divine ruling power; the exercise or practice of rites r observances implying this. 6. Devotion to some principle; strict fidelity or faithfulness. - Oxford Unabridged Dictionary 1958
My thoughts
What most people don't realize is that the word 'cult' comes from the word 'culture' and although my culture and customs may seem unorthodox to the vast majority of people, it is not any less valid or relevant than other people's culture or customs. I know that the word has many negative connotations to it as a result of violent groups that have been formed over the years. These groups have been labeled a 'cult' by the state in order to demonize them in the eyes of the public, whether they engage in violence or not.
Sub-categories of cults include: Doomsday cults, political cults, destructive cults, racist cults, polygamist cults, and terrorist cults. - Wikipedia (cults)
While my culture and customs are founded on peace, freedom, prosperity and love, there is one violent cult that has managed to elude this negative cult label and it needs to be exposed as one; the state. The governments of the world claim divine ruling power which matches the 3rd definition of what a religion is. I did not bother sharing the other definitions as there is not many people on this planet who are actually engaged in those types of religious activities. How can I make such an absurd statement like that?
No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. - Matthew 6:24
So despite the fact that people believe in 'God', 'Allah', 'Creator' or what other term or words you choose to use, if you are a citizen of a country, paying your taxes, following their rules and swearing fealty to the Queen (or what ever leader you may have), bowing down before her, following her rights and traditions, then by definition you rejected your 'god' and serve another master as a member of a religious cult founded on violence, theft and genocide. Participation with the state fits both definitions AND the demonized definition put out by propaganda, as listed by Wikipedia. The Church is the root organization for governments, so it all filters to the top.
So am I in a cult? Sure. I follow my own culture and customs. I worship Creator in my own way and I am working to establish my own rites and ceremonies to reverse the damage caused by thousands of years of colonial rule.
Am I a violent cult as defined by state propaganda? Absolutely not. I've dedicated my life towards peace, freedom, prosperity and love. I've done everything I can to remove all connections to violent institutions so that I can fulfill my desire to remain peaceful and not engage in violence of any form, a process that requires more work on my part.
Is my cult strange? Sadly yes. Not many people work towards peace and non-violence, which makes my beliefs and customs very strange. In fact I would suggest that my beliefs and customs are a threat to those who depend on violence, coercion and force. I pray that my views which I learned from Christ and other leaders become more common so that one day they are not strange at all but have been embraced by billions of people.
What I find disturbing is that most people are a member of a violent cult and don't even realize it. To convince them of that is a huge struggle as it has been justified, legalized and normalized in their own minds. They benefit from it every day so why would they do anything to jeopardize that relationship? To even consider the state a violent cult would be considered blasphemy by most. I'm even going to suggest that the state is actually engaged in the occult, which makes matters even worse!
So while most of the accusations thrown at me may have been meant as a rebuke to suggest that my way of thinking is violent, strange and descriptive of the violent cults that they are familiar with, I reject any such claims and instead choose to hold the mirror up to their face. In fact, I would suggest that people whom make those accusations fear that peace and change would threaten their own views, beliefs, caste, privileges, wealth and power. The accusations are made in an attempt to defend themselves from the ideas that I share. However, it is not me that is the threat but rather the idea -- and ideas are bullet proof.
A really good book to read is 