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Recent Posts in My Blogosphere

Recent Posts in My Blogosphere

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I haven’t done a roundup in a while. For each blog (alpha-order) I’ve selected my favorite among recent posts.

I hope that you find a few interesting things to read here, but I remember now why I don’t do this very often. (smile)

Destructive Leaders and Groups

Destructive Leaders and Groups

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Rick Ross has been working on destructive cults and movements for some time now. I check his site on a regular basis.

Rick has put together a very pointed list of warning signs that you might be dealing with an unsafe group and/or leader. Compare it to the list of signs of a safe group and/or leader.

I’m not sure that the unsafe/safe dichotomy is the best way to describe the difference, but other than that, I think this is a great checklist.

This has obvious applicability to certain religious and political groups and leaders.

Connect the dots.

Ten warning signs of a potentially unsafe group/leader

  1. Absolute authoritarianism without meaningful accountability.
  2. No tolerance for questions or critical inquiry.
  3. No meaningful financial disclosure regarding budget, expenses such as an independently audited financial statement.
  4. Unreasonable fear about the outside world, such as impending catastrophe, evil conspiracies and persecutions.
  5. There is no legitimate reason to leave, former followers are always wrong in leaving, negative or even evil.
  6. Former members often relate the same stories of abuse and reflect a similar pattern of grievances.
  7. There are records, books, news articles, or television programs that document the abuses of the group/leader.
  8. Followers feel they can never be "good enough".
  9. The group/leader is always right.
  10. The group/leader is the exclusive means of knowing "truth" or receiving validation, no other process of discovery is really acceptable or credible.

Ten warning signs regarding people involved in/with a potentially unsafe group/leader.

  1. Extreme obsessiveness regarding the group/leader resulting in the exclusion of almost every practical consideration.
  2. Individual identity, the group, the leader and/or God as distinct and separate categories of existence become increasingly blurred. Instead, in the follower’s mind these identities become substantially and increasingly fused–as that person’s involvement with the group/leader continues and deepens.
  3. Whenever the group/leader is criticized or questioned it is characterized as "persecution".
  4. Uncharacteristically stilted and seemingly programmed conversation and mannerisms, cloning of the group/leader in personal behavior.
  5. Dependency upon the group/leader for problem solving, solutions, and definitions without meaningful reflective thought. A seeming inability to think independently or analyze situations without group/leader involvement.
  6. Hyperactivity centered on the group/leader agenda, which seems to supercede any personal goals or individual interests.
  7. A dramatic loss of spontaneity and sense of humor.
  8. Increasing isolation from family and old friends unless they demonstrate an interest in the group/leader.
  9. Anything the group/leader does can be justified no matter how harsh or harmful.
  10. Former followers are at best-considered negative or worse evil and under bad influences. They can not be trusted and personal contact is avoided.

Ten signs of a safe group/leader

  1. A safe group/leader will answer your questions without becoming judgmental and punitive.
  2. A safe group/leader will disclose information such as finances and often offer an independently audited financial statement regarding budget and expenses. Safe groups and leaders will tell you more than you want to know.
  3. A safe group/leader is often democratic, sharing decision making and encouraging accountability and oversight.
  4. A safe group/leader may have disgruntled former followers, but will not vilify, excommunicate and forbid others from associating with them.
  5. A safe group/leader will not have a paper trail of overwhelmingly negative records, books, articles and statements about them.
  6. A safe group/leader will encourage family communication, community interaction and existing friendships and not feel threatened.
  7. A safe group/leader will recognize reasonable boundaries and limitations when dealing with others.
  8. A safe group/leader will encourage critical thinking, individual autonomy and feelings of self-esteem.
  9. A safe group/leader will admit failings and mistakes and accept constructive criticism and advice.
  10. A safe group/leader will not be the only source of knowledge and learning excluding everyone else, but value dialogue and the free exchange of ideas.

Don’t be naïve, develop a good BS Detector.

You can protect yourself from unsafe groups and leaders by developing a good BS detector.
Check things out, know the facts and examine the evidence. A safe group will be patient with your decision making process. If a group or leader grows angry and anxious just because you want to make an informed and careful decision before joining; beware.

Could You Be a Vampire?

Could You Be a Vampire?

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I’ve been reading vampire books since I was a kid. I have a pretty extensive collection of all kinds of vampire novels and short stories. For a while I was a member of the Lord Ruthven Society (Raymond McNally told me that “Vee neeeed new bloooood” – how could I resist? May he rest in peace.).

Maybe I should renew my membership. It’s a subgroup of the International Association of the Fantastic in the Arts (IAFA), and they always have a very fun conference. My first paper was presented there. I can’t find their site anymore though. Comment if you know anything.

No doubt the Jehovah’s Witnesses doctrine of refusing blood transfusions – even to save a life – figured in to my curiosity from a very young age. I also couldn’t help noticing that most JWs do not partake of the emblems of communion at the “Memorial Dinner.” I always thought that their interpretations of the scriptures that talk about abstaining from blood (the blood being the life) were somehow off-kilter. I mean, it’s not like they eat their meat kosher. I remember that for a while we weren’t allowed to eat Milky Way bars because there was a rumor that they used blood products as an emulsifier. I still don’t know if that’s true or not.

It was while I was alternately reading Anne Rice and Karl Barth that I got my first inkling of what a large part of my dissertation would involve. My favorite chapter is the one I wrote about the viral as it appears in fictional narratives of vampirism/communion. I am even (very painfully) working on a vampire novel.

Still, for all this, I’m not a “goth” and I look terrible in black lipstick anyway. The only vampires I’ve ever met were of the psychic-draining variety – people who just exhaust you. I’ve never participated in any of the games or groups. However, I did recently get “turned” at Facebook and am using the Facebook application of vampires, zombies and werewolves. (Join me if you’re on.)

I only attack my friends… it’s a love bite! Share your soul, but only if you wish it. I won’t drain you dry…

(rolling villainous laughter – ah – hahahahah – haha – ahahahahahahaha – ah-hahaha – ha- hah ack-snort…. ~cough~).

The allure of vampires for me is still somewhat mysterious.

Vampires are overdetermined in meaning. So many possible interpretations intersect at the figure of the vampire that – no matter how trivialized they become – there is always a hint of the numinous about them, too.

So – would I really like being a vampire?

Maybe, if it were like the Chelsea Quinn Yarbro vampire that needs only enough to fill a wineglass, and gives back love – and lust, and respect, and generosity – for this bit of life.

On the other hand, you just can’t get away from the blood. Raw blood. Ick.

It’s why I’ve always preferred vampire books to movies; in the imaginary realm, it’s less tactile. You don’t really have to visualize the actual “thing in itself.” Films make it too real, too bloody and cannibalistic.

A blood-drinking thing is like an ancient god living on sacrifices – it’s a power trip. To me, that can never truly be sexy.

Also, the current crop of (literary) vampires is far too group/sect oriented, like political poppets. What good is eternal life if you’re always squabbling about territory or ethnicity or some such?

When I saw this quiz in my inbox, I went to take it right away. The results are about what I’d expect – I could if I had to…

You Could Be a Vampire… If You Had To

Like most people, the thought of being a vampire has crossed your mind. But you’re not sure if you’d do it, even if you could. Living forever doesn’t sound half bad, if you could live forever with the people you love the most. But do vampires even love? And would the vampire version of you even be you? It’s all too much to contemplate. Luckily, the chances of you ever becoming a vampire are astronomically low.

What you would like best about being a vampire: Living forever

What you would like least about being a vampire: Blood stained teeth
Calling Canadian JW Abuse Survivors

Calling Canadian JW Abuse Survivors

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Silentlambs is asking for any French-speaking JW or ex-JW abuse survivors from Canada to come forward for a possible interview with key media in Canada.

If are such a victim or you know of such a victim who can assist, please contact info@silentlambs.org for more information.

Fun with Watchtower Covers

Fun with Watchtower Covers

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Fun with Watchtower covers, from TruthBook Blue (this is number ten in a series!)

[youtube]http://youtube.com/watch?v=4l3WNTu1oZk[/youtube]

If you read this blog, I am quite sure that you already have an idea of what I might have to say about the following question:

Does “the faithful and discreet slave” endorse independent groups of Witnesses who meet together to engage in Scriptural research or debate?

This question – and its answer by the Governing Body – appeared in the September “Q&A” section of the Jehovah’s Witness Kingdom Ministry publication.

It’s a great example of Watchtower-speak. They start off with a simple question about endorsement. Of course,there’s no reason that they should feel they have to “endorse” independent studies. However, they gradually move into a prohibition against reading anything but the Society’s publications – even suggesting that learning Hebrew or Greek might not be such a good idea.

And people still try to argue with me about the way the control their members and take the god-position.

Tightening the leash: the Watchtower’s attempt to put an end to Jehovah’s Witnesses’ apologists is an excellent point-by-point analysis and rebuttal posted by The Apologetic Front.

Before this talk, I didn’t really have much of an idea as to the extent to which the Watchtower has control over its members. Now I can sadly say that I do.

Support Safire the Llama

Support Safire the Llama

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My friend Richard “Shining Thunder” Francis has been adopted by a llama (and, it seems, a lama). More on that below.

Richard is a former JW who has dedicated his life to an extraordinary calling of love and spirituality.

He has health problems of various kinds and, among other things, he is blind (Touchingly – to me – he refers to his body as “the donkey.”)

None of this has stopped him from writing several books, running a ministry and various radio shows, publishing the Lovelight Ezine, and sending out messages to the “Universal Love Digest.” I post these as blog entries for him – it’s a small way that I can support his work and show my gratitude for such books as Jehovah Goodbye: The New Theism of Love,
Jehovah lives in Brooklyn: Jehovah’s Witnesses as a model of Fundamentalism, Luminous Jewels of Love and Light, and Journey to the Center of the Soul: Mysticism Made Simple. After speaking for the first time, Richard sent me a couple of the books, and they helped me to organize my thoughts and feelings on a number of topics. You can buy the books, but Richard has also generously posted them as free downloadable ebooks.

I don’t agree with every little thing he says – but that’s ok. He has no interest in being a guru or controlling the thoughts and feelings of others.

The main site at Love Ministries is just one channel for his dedication to “The Way of Universal Love and the Ministry of Total Healing Spiritual, Emotional, and Physical.”

At Love Ministries, Inc. our goal is to help people. We do this genuinely to help other human beings solve problems and to live happier lives. Unlike many who call themselves “teachers” or even “masters,” we are not interested in ego-trips or in making lots of money. Our printed educational aids are distributed solely for what is roughly the cost of production and mailing, and we are not trying to make a profit or transform high spirituality into a mere business or a commodity. Please feel free to contact us with any issues that might relate to the heart, the body, the soul, the mind and anything else that might be of importance to you. We are here to be of service, for without service this world would have no Love.

Ok, so there’s the thing. Since he truly is only interested in love and service, Richard is always running everything on a shoestring.

If you like the site and the message, love donations are always very gratefully received.

If you’re not sure, you’ve got to read this post about Safire the llama/lama.