CULTS!!!

So I recently quit a 'relationship recovery' class, because I had a difference of opinion with a classmate (I felt like he was being rude to my classmates, and so when it came time for me to give out my contact info to the group, I told him directly "You may not call me. You have pissed me off tonight.") The group leader called me later and told me that my outburst was rude and inappropriate, and that SHE did not think the classmate had been disrespectful. I questioned her, and it turns out that group members will NOT be allowed to state directly to one another if they feel that someone is being rude or inappropriate, AND that the group member may not approach the group leader to voice concerns, that it is up to the group leader's sole judgement to intervene and judge who is and is not behaving appropriately. I withdrew from the class because I did not feel comfortable or safe with such a power structure in place. I told the MAIN group leader that it felt very 'cult like' to me. That was *probably* an overstatement, but I wonder.

It seems that a lot of people just coming out of relationships, or people just looking for new lovers, may be especially vulnerable to predatory groups and leaders.

A friend of mine pointed me to this website:

http://www.rickross.com/warningsigns.html


Potentially unsafe groups or leaders "come off very nice at first, they go for vulnerable people who are looking for answers, lonely, what you'd call 'normal people.' They're very good at what they do and can get people to believe anything. You might think you'd never get taken in, but don't bet on it. "

-- Margaret Singer, Ph.D.
( Read more... )

also check this one out:

http://www.culthelp.info/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=7&Itemid=5 ( Read more... )

It's very interesting, because in addition to the red flags that came up about the class, upon reflection, I can also think of at least one poly relationship structure I've seen that seems to be organized very much like a cult. Food for thought...