Global Warming Cult

Global Warmists	Tribalism	Hypocrisy	Ignorance	Intolerance	Transparency	Paranoia	Leavability	Abuse	Insecurity	Eccentricity	Prophets	Extremism
Level	🔟	🔟	8️⃣	🔟	8️⃣	3️⃣	4️⃣	9️⃣	2️⃣	1️⃣	7️⃣	5️⃣
Total	64%										77/120

Is Global Warming (Climate Change) a cult? Overall, it's a very big and diverse tent. The majority of proponents are tribal, ignorant, intolerant, hypocrites, and they do some idol worshiping of the prophet of the moment. They are paranoid about the environment which is a conspiracy theory of sorts, but not that much else. They will try to ruin, silence, or attack those that leave. But they aren't that insecure, abusive to their own, or even extreme (a few exceptions) or eccentric (more gullible). And that's the worst faction: the mindless follower advocates regurgitating what their press tells them that their priests are telling them (and a fanatical mouthpieces/politicians). But they do have the lazy followers that aren't nearly that fanatical. I hear they have some informed followers, I just haven't met one (despite trying). They have people that want to lead the cult, but they come and go -- and there are a lot of real scientists just publishing papers that often get exaggerated or taken out of context by the Press. So there's certainly cult-like behaviors by some factions. But there's so many divergent groups and agendas and behaviors, that it's too loose and diverse a grouping to be a real cult, even if there is a cult hiding inside there.

Signs of a Cult

While you can't judge all individuals by the group behavior, you can judge the group by the group averages. If there are traits in common to the group, that's hinting that it is a group dynamic. They might be filtering, intentionally or unintentionally. But either way, if you ride with outlaw bikers, don't be shocked if you end up in a bar fight. (1) Tribalism: If there's differences in rules or treatment for insiders versus outsiders, that's a hint away from healthy group psyche. (2) Hypocrisy: If the movement refuses to be introspective and admit it's own flaws or it's leaders don't live by their own rules, another hint. (3) Ignorance: If the majority of the followers are low-information, prefer to argue feelings over facts, or fall back to talking points or fallacies like appeal to celebrity, authority, popularity? That's a hint. (4) Intolerance: How do they respond to divergence of thought, identity or behavior, is one of the stronger indicators of whether it's a cult. Cults demand conformity. (5) Transparency: How open is an organization, their finances or their leadership? Public versus private rituals or beliefs? A secret society and lack of transparency is cultish. (6) Paranoia: Being paranoid and into conspiracies (especially doomsday ones), especially without some valid reasons, is a strong sign. So Jews or Mormons being a little paranoid has some valid history and justification, thus deserve a bit more leeway. Democrats in Academia or the Media? That deserves finger-ear orbits: the American Sign Language gesture for cult. (7) Ability to leave: If adherents can leave, and not be ostracized or attacked? That's a good sign for a group. If they will be ostracized, maligned or attacked? It is not. (8) Abuse: Demands for conformity, litmus tests for being devout enough, punishments for non-compliance with micro-managing norms? Cult, cult, cult. (9) Insecurity: If adherents constantly try (and fail) to measure up to their exalted leader or absurd standards? Guilt, doubts, unworthiness are not signs of a healthy organization/individual psyche. (10) Eccentricities A little is fine, a lot is not. Cults start differentiating themselves with alternate language/terminology, dress, mannerisms, or history. Those divergences from norms (and reality), aren't good signals. (11) Prophets: If the leader is revered and infallible, and becoming more than a flawed human, then that's another strong hint of losing touch with reality. (12) Extremism: a lot is about degrees and balances, which is what makes the lines a bit fuzzy. You can disagree, but how much? I once had a coworker shriek "No" in pain, like I'd physically struck her, because I'd mentioned some of the mis-assumptions people make on organic farming. Not a healthy reaction. But someone just politely saying, "I disagree and here's why" is completely reasonable. It's the old, "I'll know it when I see it". more...

Cult

This article is about various cults, what are they, what do they do, and what does it mean? Well the word comes from cultus, latin for worship. The definition is usually pejoratively used to refer to a group or sect bound together by veneration (worship) of the same person, object, beliefs, or goal. It's also used for anything that veers from popular or correct norms -- so usually they have a false idol, believe in a false prophet/leader, or have quirky beliefs and practices -- and will stick to beliefs despite any evidence that contradicts them. So there are things you can look for that differentiate a sect or clique, from something that's gone full cult. more...