PSI cult...wtf?

[ChroniC588]

Damn it those PSI cultists are in Hawaii Kai. I saw a bunch of them congregating nearby.

Anyone had experience with the PSI cultists?:thumbsdown:

[NasTee]

WTF is a PSI cult?

[ChroniC588]

its an acronym for something...I call it Pathetic Stupid Idiots.

you join them and they motivate you by stealing all ur money through membership fees and selling cow dung (serious they sell you cow poop)...they motivate you by breaking you down and making you feel worthless and the only reason to exist is to hang out with only PSI people.

basically the same mentality that street gangs use to keep members in check...and also the Democrat Party of America.

[ArchangelX]

Cow poop? You serious?

[freeride]

when i read the subject i was thinking it was about the team, not selling dookies...

[Cloud]

one PSI cult = Church of Christ



you have been warned, specially poor college students who dont know the difference between christianity and cults

[Miss Jo]

Church of Christ? which church of christ?

hmmm...

[Hee_Haw]

Cult? Not cult? So confusing!

I found this on the 'net from one of those "cultwatch" sites.


These are some of the distinguishing characteristics of a "cult" as we my know them;


--The group displays excessively zealous and unquestioning commitment to its leader and (whether he is alive or dead) regards his belief system, ideology, and practices as the Truth, as law.

--Questioning, doubt, and dissent are discouraged or even punished.

--Mind-altering practices (such as meditation, chanting, speaking in tongues, denunciation sessions, and debilitating work routines) are used in excess and serve to suppress doubts about the group and its leader(s).

--The leadership dictates, sometimes in great detail, how members should think, act, and feel (for example, members must get permission to date, change jobs, marry—or leaders prescribe what types of clothes to wear, where to live, whether or not to have children, how to discipline children, and so forth).

--The group is elitist, claiming a special, exalted status for itself, its leader(s) and members (for example, the leader is considered the Messiah, a special being, an avatar—or the group and/or the leader is on a special mission to save humanity).

--The group has a polarized us-versus-them mentality, which may cause conflict with the wider society.

--The leader is not accountable to any authorities (unlike, for example, teachers, military commanders or ministers, priests, monks, and rabbis of mainstream religious denominations).

--The group teaches or implies that its supposedly exalted ends justify whatever means it deems necessary. This may result in members' participating in behaviors or activities they would have considered reprehensible or unethical before joining the group (for example, lying to family or friends, or collecting money for bogus charities).

--The leadership induces feelings of shame and/or guilt iin order to influence and/or control members. Often, this is done through peer pressure and subtle forms of persuasion.

--Subservience to the leader or group requires members to cut ties with family and friends, and radically alter the personal goals and activities they had before joining the group.

--The group is preoccupied with bringing in new members.

--The group is preoccupied with making money.

--Members are expected to devote inordinate amounts of time to the group and group-related activities.

--Members are encouraged or required to live and/or socialize only with other group members.

--The most loyal members (the “true believers”) feel there can be no life outside the context of the group. They believe there is no other way to be, and often fear reprisals to themselves or others if they leave (or even consider leaving) the group.


How does your church(es) match up?

I can say that while our church has an emphasis on evangelism (reaching out to unchurched people), we can hardly say that we're preoccupied with getting new members.... sometimes, I think we hope that they would bless other churches with attendance...crowded! :hypo:

I think that the Church of Christ that Cloud had in mind was the Oahu Church of Christ, which has it's foundations in the Boston Church of Christ. They are the ones who actively recruit from the University, and Community Colleges. I helped de-program a former member who came to our church, and indeed, some of the practices he confessed they do were scary-close to total mind-control...cult characteristics. No force to keep them as members, but heavy guilt-tripping about the "pagan" other churches that were out there. Very persuasive guilt trips.

Oh well. We've been called a cult too. I better go ask permission before I answer that one. :roflmao: :hypo:

[Hee_Haw]

Oh, and about Psi.

They're a non-religious self-improvement type of cult. Yes, they have pretty strong cultic characteristics.

Basic philosophy; you have the power within you. F_ck the church business and any reference to a Higher Power.

[Kreggae]

I actually went to a PSI (People Synergistically Involved) Basic seminar when I was in high school. I didn't really get the "cultish" feel there, probably because at that level, they really weren't looking to alienate the noobs. I thought it was all good as far as the positive mental attitude stuff, but some of it was still over my head. My mom was heavy into it after her divorce, though. I tolerated her during that time, and I figured I shouldn't go any further than the Basic I attended. Thing about it was, a lot of the principles taught at the Basic level are common Biblical themes (though I didn't know it at the time). Like reaping what you sow, and being snared by the words of your mouth.

[Scoti]

dianetics?

[Cuttooth]

i went thru PSI back in the late 80's
so did my 2 brothers and even my mom...along with a bunch of friends too
i guess some will consider it a cult, but its nothing like the descriptions of cults posted above.
they dont force you to do anything that you dont want to

i will say that it did help me focus on my goals and what i wanted to achieve in life, and like kreggae posted, alot of the things taught by them had to do some basic biblical things and how they translate into everyday life...things like unconditonal love and such. also some relaxation techniques and power of the mind stuff.

one thing that is true tho, it does cost alot to take the seminars

[idiosyncratic]

psi? uh... is that another word for Scientology? :confused:
sounds similar...

but then
so does Catholic and Protestant beliefs... :really:

[beefy242]

all i can say is, the Mormons dont knock on my door anymore. if they knock on your door, just say "sorry, we're real christians" and close the door, they will leave you alone for a while after that.

[idiosyncratic]

^does that work on Jehovah witnesses as well?

[Udrivecrap]

i have no idea wtf a psi cult is... still :wtf:

i don't mind people spreading the word of the lord, but when they try too hard and try to get up all in your face, it can be irritating.

[Kreggae]

PSI... sounds like an organization of forced-induction freaks.

[beefy242]

^does that work on Jehovah witnesses as well?

you might have to go with satanist for that one...

[Cloud]

Church of Christ? which church of christ?

hmmm...

The Church of Christ.
As Haw was saying, Oahu Church of Christ. stay sway -_-
Along with mormons....but they're at least funny and mildy entertaining. lol



its jus wrong when cults identify themselves with christianity. its one thing to have your own religion, but dont fuse it into someone else's when its so contradictory...

[ChroniC588]

all religions started as a cult.

and yeah although the definition of religion and cults seem similar. The one big difference is...a cult enriches a few individuals...a church does not.

A true Christian church enriches all its members. Yes money is required to run a church, but that's true of any organization. No organization can survive w/o money. Just trace the money and you can determine the validity of an organization.:D

PSI benefits a few individuals at the top...hence a cult. If they wanna disprove it...show me their books, financials.

[Cloud]

all religions started as a cult.

As long as people dont get cult and denomination mixed up



As for money, yeah, all organizations need it. Its funny when people make a big deal about churches asking for money.

[JugglinMunkey]

i guess this is not the best time to announce the new "club" i just started. we have a meeting coming up next friday at 6pm... bring your checkbooks.

-hS

[ChroniC588]

i guess this is not the best time to announce the new "club" i just started. we have a meeting coming up next friday at 6pm... bring your checkbooks.

-hS

sure no problem...my checks will bounce so ainokea.:D