Are the Repugs a Cult?

msdove

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Friday February 04, 2005 · 6:56 PM PST

2005/02/04 · 18:56

We've looked at the characteristics of fascism in today's Republican party, but their collective and immoral stance on Gonzales made me think of cultism. I found what appears to be a reasonably reliable source of info here. First, a definition:

Cult (totalist type): A group or movement exhibiting a great or excessive devotion or dedication to some person, idea, or thing and employing unethically manipulative techniques of persuasion and control (e.g., isolation from former friends and family, debilitation, use of special methods to heighten suggestibility and subservience, powerful group pressures, information management, suspension of individuality or critical judgment, promotion of total dependency on the group and fear of leaving it, etc.), designed to advance the goals of the group's leaders, to the actual or possible detriment of members, their families, or the community. (West & Langone, 1986, pp. 119-120)

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