Lavish, honey, sit down.

Now, I think I speak for several of us here when I say that I'm concerned for you. I only want the very best in the world for you, and I hope you can hear me without feeling judged or cornered. I only want to help.

I've been seeing some things that concern me. I have been reading about some of the signs of cult involvement from specialists in the feild (see http://www.rickross.com/w...signs.html), and I'm concerned that, by no fault of your own, you may have become entangled in a world beyond your control. I want to help. Let me share some information with you.

As described on http://www.culteducation.com/faq.html, Websters dictionary defines a cult as:

"1. A formal religious veneration 2. A system of religious beliefs and rituals also its body of adherents; 3. A religion regarded as unorthodox or spurious: also its body of adherents; 4. A system for the cure of disease based on dogma set forth by its promulgator; 5. a: A great devotion to a person, idea, thing; esp.: such devotion regarded as a literary or intellectual fad, b: A usually small circle of persons united by devotion or allegiance to an artistic or intellectual movement or figure."

I'm particularly concerned about #5. I've noticed that you are spending a lot of time at this so-called NPGMC, and that you are showing some signs of being under the influence of a cult leader.

This man, known as Prince, shows several characteristics of cult leadership. He is egocentric and controlling. He expects others to adopt his value system. He collects money under the guise of a "music club," but once you have joined, you find that there is very little musical content, much of which is suspiciously unavailable due to "technical difficulties," and instead there is extensive information regarding his irrational belief system. The communication between members is controlled, and there are social consequences within the group if the "club" or it's leader are critisized.

But this is not about Prince. This is about you, our beloved prince.org moderator. I find that, while you once spent time in the General Discussion forum, you now post almost exclusively to the NPGMC forum, and frequently lock threads that are critical of the "club" or its members. You have even gone so far as to prohibit the formation of new threads regarding the censorship of the club members. I have noticed that every time I've logged into the club chat you have been there, and while you were at first welcoming towards me, most recently you refused to acknowledge my presence. The shunning of old friends in favor of the new group is a classic sign of cult membership. In addition, I'm aware of your recent visit to a convention at the "studio" of the cult leader, and while you acknowledge that you were there, you decline to provide details about what was said. Again, secrecy is a hallmark of cults.

Honey, I'm worried and frightened for you. I'm afraid of losing you, as many "fams" have been lost before. I hope that you can understand my intention here, and that I am always here for you if you want to talk, or if you need any help in severing ties with this "music club." Most of all, I'm afraid of the danger that you may pose to our society.


To continue from the aforementioned site:

"This definition obviously could include everything from Barbie collectors to old "Deadheads" and Elvis fans. American history might also include within such a definition the devoted followers of Mary Baker Eddy the founder of Christian Science, or the Mormons united through their devotion to Joseph Smith. Both these religious groups were once largely regarded as an "unorthodox or spurious". However, the most important concern today is not simply who might be somewhat "cultic" in their devotion now or historically, but what groups might represent potential problems regarding personal or public safety. That is--groups that are potentially unsafe and/or destructive.

Psychiatrist Robert Jay Lifton, who wrote the definitive book about thought reform (often called "brainwashing") also wrote a paper about cult formation. Lifton defined a cult as having the following three characteristics:

1. A charismatic leader--who increasingly becomes an object of worship as the general principles that may have originally sustained the group lose power.

2. A process [is in use] call[ed] coercive persuasion or thought reform.

3. Economic, sexual, and other exploitation of group members by the leader and the ruling coterie."


I'm concerned that you may be destructive to this society, using your (unquestioned by me) power in ways that could be harmful to the org community. I think you might be able to recognize some characteristics of the "music club" in these criteria, and perhaps can share my concern about the danger that you pose to society.

I hope that you will take this into consideration, and accept help, from myself or from a professional cult intervention specialist, with whom I'd be happy to put you in touch. I know the outside world seems a blur right now, but there is a real life waiting for you outside. We love you. Please come back to us, Lavish, please!

I hope you're not picking on LaVisHh?

I wonder how long it's gonna take for this thread to get locked??

uh-oh, here comes the backlash!

I know. I'm in big trouble. But I'm sure I'm not the only one who has noticed Lav's behavior and who might be concerned.

Nikster said:

About 6 minutes, I'm guessing.

Because who has a sense of humor these days? Nobody, that's who.

I do miss her posts!

I logged into the chat (just to lurk as I often do!)

earlier today and I saw her there...

Hopefully it is just a phase that

will pass and she will come back to us!

Lav!!

tackam said:

so are you serious or being funny? if serious, what has she done or said that worries you?

NewAgeGirl said:

Oh, some of both. I'm afraid that we might lose her to the NPGMC forums, which is too bad because I like her, and because she has moderator powers and I don't want her coming and trying to make the org into Fluffy Frothy Positivity Land #2. I'm also being funny. . .I mean, read those web sites. . .it's FUNNY how much the NPGMC sounds like a cult, and Prince like a cult leader. . .made me laugh.

NewAgeGirl said:

I thought you were leaving...?

No, wait!... wrong one

No...no... shouldn't it be THIS ONE?





or

Oh, and I am Catholic.

No, no, no... here Lav, Lemme help, use this one...








(intervener edit )
[This message was edited Fri Apr 25 1:17:15 PDT 2003 by June7]

Damn, that's some funny shit up there...

LaVisHh said:

Hey I was one of those... Stand... Sit! Stand! Sit! Pray! Shaking hands...
Peace be with you... Nuzzle your neighbor Stand... Sit! Stand! Sit! Pray!

Awww! those were the days!

july said:

You forgot KNEEL!!!

LaVisHh said:

Oh yeah... Kneel... I never said I was a good Catholic!

shame on u makin fun of one's beliefs

Lav, you must avoid that NPGMC place... it is a place of great evil... there is great evil there...

"Stay away from the light, Carol Anne..."

i got an orgnote for this?? LaV is a grown ass woman...I don't care if she's in the NPGMC chat until her damn fingers fall off...(you know I love you Lav) but damn...

I've had my differences with LaVish in the past. But at least, she gave me my account back. She's very protective of the man.

tackam said:

I thought it was only meant to be funny!
You sound a bit like a fanatic yourself...?

Rhondab said:

Lav... listen to me... You are in grave danger. I implore you to put an end to this foolishness. You must convince yourself there is life beyond this cult. Having rescued several members of abusive sects, I would like to think that I am the person who can cure you of this insanity. Alas, my dis-sect-ing technique is specifically designed for gay me.

My group -- called "Sex, not Sects" -- is a replacement therapy that encourages men to drop the cult by dropping their pants instead. A comprehensive approach to the victim's sexual needs is employed to defuse heavily reinforced behavior, replacing it with sexual exploration with help from several members.

Unfortunately, none of the members like to explore the female reproductive apparatus, though my good friend Gertrude is studying a proposal to open an exclusively female chapter of "Sex, not Sects".

Perhaps an heterosexual version will soon be available? In any case, I urge you to consider alternatives along these lines.

Sincerely,

Aerogram
[This message was edited Fri Apr 25 4:32:08 PDT 2003 by Aerogram]

IceNine said:

Then why aren't you there? Mr Evil

Aerogram said:

Sorry to jump on the bandwagon

BUT

Lav is a diamond


Much love Pochacco

LaVisHh said:

I am not there because my evil is a silly joke... Prince really IS evil.

"when dem devil come Dem devil come dressed as light..."

Prince isn't fooling me... he has dressed himself as light and is really an evil, horrible man.