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 involved.
In politics, both sides of the aisle hurl accusations of cult-like behavior. To the MAGAs, Democrats are a bunch of brainwashed coastal elitists blindly following whatever MSNBC or the “deep state” tells them. To many Democrats, MAGA supporters are full on cultists who hang on a wannabe dictator’s every word. They are incapable of independent thought, and blindly follow the whims of a charismatic charlatan.
So who’s right? Are Republicans truly more culty than Democrats — or are both sides equally guilty of groupthink? What follows is an honest attempt to assess the issue (without slipping into brainwashed coastal elitist mode).
Cult like Democrats
This, dear Banter reader, might be a little hard to swallow. If anything below describes you in any way, don’t worry, because it partially describes me too…
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