Who's in a Cult?
Let’s talk about who’s actually drinking the Kool-Aid.
by Ben Cohen
There are several generally accepted definitions of the word “cult”. According to the Oxford Dictionary, two of the most prominent ones are:
A system of religious veneration and devotion directed toward a particular figure or object
A misplaced or excessive admiration for a particular person or thing
Cults come in many forms — some are religious, some are New Age, and some are political. I have spent years practicing Martial Arts, and I’d say a good proportion of them fit the definition of a cult. Instructors become god-like figures with students hang on their every word.
Due to many experiences in the Martial Arts world, I now find it quite easy to spot cult-like behavior — so much so that I have a very hard time joining groups or organizations. Do you have to wear a uniform? Does the instructor/leader have an ego? Are the members/students encouraged to think for themselves? If I see any troubling signs I refuse to get invo…