Definition:
cult
1. A
system of devotion and dedication to an exclusive ideology or practice,
characterised by group pressures, information management and suspension of
individuality or critical judgement
2. A sect generally considered to be extremist
or false, with its followers often living in an unconventional manner under
authoritarian, dogmatic guidance
·
The first clue that you’re not a critical thinker is you basically
agree with everyone else in your social circle.
·
Beliefs are dangerous; scrutinise them thoroughly. [1]
·
Lose the sense of certainty
that we are right.
·
All our beliefs should be a constant work in progress.
Investing pride, a sense of belonging, purpose and a sense
of identity in any belief or in membership
of any group is unwise.
Beware activism that is
more about finding a group for us to fit into or making ourselves feel
important. It
makes it hard to change our mind, even slightly. [2]
We
fear losing that passionate and clear sense of identity, as well as
embarrassment in admitting any change in our beliefs when we have shouted
loudly that we knew best in the past.
·
We all subconsciously like viewpoints that confirm and agree with
our existing views.[3]
·
Surrounding ourselves with a social group that only reinforces what
we want to hear is self-censoring any converse viewpoints from what we will
consider.
Peer
pressure and mob mentality are particularly present in our often insular animal
rights movement; these forces are always a dangerous obstacle to free and
independent critical thought [4]
·
People joining
‘the movement’ with moderate views will subconsciously conform to the more
extreme status quo - a form of subconscious, unintended indoctrination [5]
- in order to fit in.
·
When led step-by-step
through a behavioural-change program, cult members are remoulded to internalise
a group’s beliefs.
·
Members gradually
isolate themselves from ‘non-believing’ friends and mainstream culture.
·
Questioning,
expressing doubts or criticizing is met with disapproval, redress and possible
rejection.
·
Immersed wholly
in the animal rights culture, adherents may be led to believe they are privy to
better, higher, more enlightened information than everyone else. [6]
The parallels with religious fundamentalism are strong.
[7]
Resist the natural
tendency of any exclusive club to encourage the forging of dangerous tribal
identities.
Be cautious of
oversimplification and absolutes; avoid any divisive ‘them and us’ mindset [8]
·
Avoid demonising
other groups and making sweeping statements.
·
The ‘Good vs.
Evil’ moral fairytales that we grow up with are exactly that.
·
Recognise
complexity in ideas. Read on...
[1]
Beliefs can have great
influence over us. It has often been said that we could teach an indigenous
Polynesian tribe to worship a brick as a matter of great moral importance and
then see how long it takes until they are willing to kill for it.
[2]
“If you have ever argued
with a religious devotee you will have noticed his self-esteem and pride are
involved in the dispute and that you are asking him to give up something more
than a point in argument.”
[3]
Most prefer to seek
approval or security.
[4]
[5]
“In times of collective
excitement, so few men venture to dissent from the prevailing opinion”
“A shameful terror reigns,
the bravest turn cowards, and no one dares say what he thinks for fear of being
denounced as a traitor and a bribe-taker.”
[6]
“The risk of fallibility
seems forever invisible to those for whom sufficient proof of a valid belief
consists of loud and unambiguous declarations.”
Everyone
thinks the things they believe in are obvious and clearly visible - otherwise
they would not believe those things. Nobody ever thinks they are wrong.
Be
wary of anyone too eager to tell you that they have the truth – scrutinise their argument and their evidence for
yourself. What other factors may be involved?
[7]
Similarities to
anti-abortion campaigns are particularly relevant: passionately-held but invented
rights conflicting with any appreciation of factors (eg. neurological) existing
on a spectrum.
Dogma discourages
independent thought; it is divisive and it is dangerous. Clouded by adherence
to superficial, unsubstantiated beliefs, fundamentalists fail to appreciate
shades of grey and complexity.
As fellow morality extremists, many international terrorist
groups believing in a supernatural ethical code also adhere to dogma, reject pluralism,
disdain free speech and are devoted to thought-policing.
Associates of any club
that dictates how other people should live, based on the club’s moral beliefs,
should at the very least be reluctant, wary and uncomfortable to hold
membership.
[8]
Irrationality,
S. Sutherland Chapter 5: In-groups and out-groups
