Note to upwardly-mobile cults (i.e., aspiring to religion-hood): long-term plans are your
best friends.
I don't care how imminent a rapture may be; if the ATF, FBI, DEA, or Social Services shows up first, you are still screwed. That goes double if they bring national news reporters with them.
I think a long-term plan is pretty much what differentiates a cult from a religion. Even the doctrine doesn't have to have a long-term plan, but the leaders sure better have one. Basic advice, about the level of:
Hey, Giant Accounting Firms: Don't let evil corporations cook your books in wildly obvious ways! Even if the Supreme Court doesn't hold you responsible in the end, you will still be squashed like a fraudulent bug.
And:
Hey, Evil Corporation: if you're gonna snooker the state of California, for CRYING OUT LOUD don't do it on tape! That is what meetings in underground parking structures are FOR!! Prove to me you're at least as smart as Hal Holbrook, you seething, rapacious pile of shmuckery!!!
Actually, this is kind of therapeutic.
I think a long-term plan is pretty much what differentiates a cult from a religion.
So I don't have to have long-term planning skills to start a cult? Y'know, that option is looking better and better ...
I think a long-term plan is pretty much what differentiates a cult from a religion.
Although I was taught that when Jesus told His disciples that He'd return some day, they thought He meant in their lifetime.
Although I was taught that when Jesus told His disciples that He'd return some day, they thought He meant in their lifetime.
that's what I call long term planning.
So I don't have to have long-term planning skills to start a cult? Y'know, that option is looking better and better ...
Oh, and I learned in high school that all religions start out as cults; it's the cults that survive the death of their cult leader that turn into religions.
Although I was taught that when Jesus told His disciples that He'd return some day, they thought He meant in their lifetime.
I think the point is, they wised up. Anyway, you can say "any day now!" in public all you want, as long as you're quietly keeping the priests from diddling children and embezzling the tithes for illicit bingo.
lisah! I won't be able to pick up the tape today!
Since this particular variation of Mormonism seems to have recently opted for "Do what Jeff says" as its primary dogma, I don't see how it can survive in its present form past his death.
Surviving the death of the cult leader is all a part of the plan.
ION, I have successfully introduced the word kerfluffle into the office lingo. Thrilling!
