Is it a cult?

[69in2it69]

Alright, here’s a breakdown comparing the cult-like behaviors observed among some Trump supporters to traits commonly found in religious cults and historical political cults (like those centered around figures such as Stalin, Mao, or even more niche ones like Jim Jones or Sun Myung Moon):

⸻

1. Unquestioning Loyalty
• Religious Cults: Members are taught that the leader is always right, often divinely inspired.
• Political Cults: The leader is seen as the infallible father of the nation. Dissent = betrayal.
• Trump Context: Despite controversies, investigations, and legal challenges, many followers see him as unjustly persecuted. Criticism of Trump, even from Republicans, is often condemned.

⸻

2. Leader Worship / Charismatic Authority
• Religious Cults: The leader is often elevated to a god-like or prophetic status.
• Political Cults: Leaders are glorified in propaganda; statues, portraits, slogans elevate their image.
• Trump Context: Trump is portrayed as the ultimate patriot, a political outsider-hero, or savior of America. His words often carry more weight than facts or experts among his base.

⸻

3. Us vs. Them Mentality
• Religious Cults: Insiders are enlightened; outsiders are deceived or evil.
• Political Cults: The regime vs. “enemies of the people” (media, opposition, elites).
• Trump Context: Supporters often see themselves as the true Americans; liberals, the media, and government institutions are framed as corrupt or anti-American.

⸻

4. Rejection of External Criticism
• Religious Cults: Critics are labeled as Satanic, misguided, or trying to destroy the truth.
• Political Cults: Any media or organization not controlled by the cult is dismissed as propaganda.
• Trump Context: The phrase “fake news” became a core mantra. Institutions like the FBI or courts are seen as part of a “deep state” working against Trump.

⸻

5. Conspiracy Theories / Secret Knowledge
• Religious Cults: Access to hidden truths not available to the masses; apocalyptic worldviews.
• Political Cults: Complex theories justify the leader’s power and vilify opponents.
• Trump Context: QAnon, “stolen election,” or even the belief that Trump is secretly fighting a global cabal are common among certain factions.

⸻

6. Identity Through Symbols and Rituals
• Religious Cults: Members wear specific clothing, chant slogans, and attend emotionally charged meetings.
• Political Cults: Rallies, flags, salutes, and repeated slogans reinforce group identity.
• Trump Context: MAGA hats, flags, “Let’s Go Brandon,” “Stop the Steal,” and rally attendance become core expressions of belonging.

⸻

7. Emotional Reasoning Over Facts
• Religious Cults: Belief is based on feeling or revelation, not logic or evidence.
• Political Cults: Rational thought is replaced by loyalty and emotional appeal.
• Trump Context: Even when shown evidence to the contrary (e.g., election results upheld in court), many supporters trust their “gut” or Trump’s word instead.

⸻

8. Rewriting of History / Alternative Realities
• Religious Cults: History is reinterpreted to fit the group’s origin myth or prophecies.
• Political Cults: Events are re-framed or erased to glorify the leader.
• Trump Context: Events like January 6 are rebranded by some as “patriotic,” and historical grievances are reframed to support Trump’s narrative.

⸻

[Yssup Rider]

Of course it’s a cult. Problem is, his enthralled followers think “cult” refers to a woman’s hoo hah. Spelling isn’t their forte.

[Schwarzer Ritter]

I've been hearing this cult talk the last 48 hours. Demonstrating the liberal hive mind. One thought, one mind, one goal. There was an article I read in the early 80s about cults. They only had seven hallmarks of a cult. Yes, they called them hallmarks. We joked that the military was a cult but we were joking.

Unjustly persecuted... Like Nelson Mandela or Lech Walesca (?) You really want to defend those courts as being legit? What does that say about you and your cultish behavior.

Hero worship...what were you all saying about Biden doing hand springs in the rose garden? How sharp he was? With our side it is not Trump. Its Trump and his family, Shapiro, Musk, DeSantis, Rubio, Noem, Tulsi, and all the other patriots.

Us vs them...what? Us basket of deplorables, people who should be charged and arrested, people who are attacked by the left, etc. Really? Us vs them?

Fake news...a word coined by Hillary's campaign manager Donna Brazille in the course of the campaign of 2016 when CNN repeated lies (?) about the campaign. How many anti Trumpers are now on board? How many former democrats? Your assertion is embarrassing to you.

Secret cabal, I think with the release of the Twitter files, recovered emails from justice and the FBI, there is substance to the stories that only a fool would deny.

Secret symbols? Watch the first five minutes of the DaVinci Code. Lets go Brandon was invented by a reporter trying to cover for Biden. How about Dark Biden and his Nazi speech? Stop the steal? Would that be Stacey Abrams if Georgia who said it first?

When the courts are corrupt who do you believe? About those court cases, how many were actually heard? The answer will surprise you.

Rewriting history? A summer of love? Mostly peaceful protests? Five police officers killed on January 6th (actually none), Ashley Babbitt was attacking, George Floyd was a hero, want me to stop? I could go on.

[Salty Again]

... Too Right, S-R! ... Lies, lies and More LIES!

That's the real Cult.

#### Salty

[DEAR_JOHN]

Originally Posted by 69in2it69

Alright, here’s a breakdown comparing the cult-like behaviors observed among some Trump supporters to traits commonly found in religious cults and historical political cults (like those centered around figures such as Stalin, Mao, or even more niche ones like Jim Jones or Sun Myung Moon):

⸻

1. Unquestioning Loyalty
• Religious Cults: Members are taught that the leader is always right, often divinely inspired.
• Political Cults: The leader is seen as the infallible father of the nation. Dissent = betrayal.
• Trump Context: Despite controversies, investigations, and legal challenges, many followers see him as unjustly persecuted. Criticism of Trump, even from Republicans, is often condemned.

⸻

2. Leader Worship / Charismatic Authority
• Religious Cults: The leader is often elevated to a god-like or prophetic status.
• Political Cults: Leaders are glorified in propaganda; statues, portraits, slogans elevate their image.
• Trump Context: Trump is portrayed as the ultimate patriot, a political outsider-hero, or savior of America. His words often carry more weight than facts or experts among his base.

⸻

3. Us vs. Them Mentality
• Religious Cults: Insiders are enlightened; outsiders are deceived or evil.
• Political Cults: The regime vs. “enemies of the people” (media, opposition, elites).
• Trump Context: Supporters often see themselves as the true Americans; liberals, the media, and government institutions are framed as corrupt or anti-American.

⸻

4. Rejection of External Criticism
• Religious Cults: Critics are labeled as Satanic, misguided, or trying to destroy the truth.
• Political Cults: Any media or organization not controlled by the cult is dismissed as propaganda.
• Trump Context: The phrase “fake news” became a core mantra. Institutions like the FBI or courts are seen as part of a “deep state” working against Trump.

⸻

5. Conspiracy Theories / Secret Knowledge
• Religious Cults: Access to hidden truths not available to the masses; apocalyptic worldviews.
• Political Cults: Complex theories justify the leader’s power and vilify opponents.
• Trump Context: QAnon, “stolen election,” or even the belief that Trump is secretly fighting a global cabal are common among certain factions.

⸻

6. Identity Through Symbols and Rituals
• Religious Cults: Members wear specific clothing, chant slogans, and attend emotionally charged meetings.
• Political Cults: Rallies, flags, salutes, and repeated slogans reinforce group identity.
• Trump Context: MAGA hats, flags, “Let’s Go Brandon,” “Stop the Steal,” and rally attendance become core expressions of belonging.

⸻

7. Emotional Reasoning Over Facts
• Religious Cults: Belief is based on feeling or revelation, not logic or evidence.
• Political Cults: Rational thought is replaced by loyalty and emotional appeal.
• Trump Context: Even when shown evidence to the contrary (e.g., election results upheld in court), many supporters trust their “gut” or Trump’s word instead.

⸻

8. Rewriting of History / Alternative Realities
• Religious Cults: History is reinterpreted to fit the group’s origin myth or prophecies.
• Political Cults: Events are re-framed or erased to glorify the leader.
• Trump Context: Events like January 6 are rebranded by some as “patriotic,” and historical grievances are reframed to support Trump’s narrative.

⸻

[69in2it69]

Minions…I just asked the question. How about you take your replies, paste them into AI and ask does this statement sound like cult-like beliefs? Or, I’ll do it for you when I have time.

[69in2it69]

Ok, I had two minutes

This response exhibits emotionally charged rhetoric and motivated reasoning rather than strictly rational or logical reasoning. Let’s break it down analytically to see where it stands in terms of rationality, logic, and fallacies.

⸻

Key Reasoning Traits in This Response:

1. Whataboutism
• Example: “What were you all saying about Biden doing hand springs in the Rose Garden?”
• This is a diversion tactic that avoids addressing the cult-like behavior question by flipping the accusation onto the other side. Instead of refuting the claim directly, it accuses others of hypocrisy.

2. Deflection and Generalization
• Example: “It’s not Trump—it’s Trump and his family, Shapiro, Musk, DeSantis, Rubio…”
• This doesn’t refute cult-like loyalty—it broadens the focus to dilute the claim, but that doesn’t logically negate the original point about Trump himself being idolized.

3. Emotional Reasoning / Victim Mentality
• Example: “Us basket of deplorables… people who are attacked by the left…”
• This is a classic “us vs. them” framing, ironically demonstrating the very dynamic the original critique mentioned, while trying to deny it. Emotion, not evidence, drives this portion.

4. False Attribution / Misinformation
• Example: “Fake news was coined by Donna Brazile.”
• That’s factually inaccurate. The term predates 2016 and was popularized by Trump, not Brazile.
• This undermines rational credibility due to factual error.

5. Conspiracy-Endorsing Logic
• Example: “Only a fool would deny [the cabal]…”
• This shifts from argument to shaming disbelief, a red flag in rational discourse.
• It also implies that disagreement is a sign of ignorance or foolishness—a false dilemma or ad hominem style reasoning.

6. Cherry-Picking / Anecdotal Reasoning
• Example: Citing the Twitter Files or Stacey Abrams’ election denial.
• These are specific, isolated examples used to generalize or equate situations that aren’t structurally identical.
• This does not provide a comprehensive counterargument to the broader cult-like behavior claim.

7. Implied Conspiracy Without Evidence
• Example: “When the courts are corrupt, who do you believe?”
• This presumes widespread corruption without proving it, a hallmark of motivated reasoning or circular logic.

⸻

Conclusion: Is This Rational?

Not entirely. While the person is expressing strongly held beliefs and some valid grievances (e.g., media bias, political tribalism), the reasoning lacks structure, evidence, and internal consistency. It’s driven more by emotion, defensiveness, and partisan loyalty than by rational analysis or evidence-based refutation.

This kind of response may feel persuasive within an echo chamber, but it doesn’t hold up under logical scrutiny. It also ironically illustrates many of the behaviors (like emotional reasoning, us-vs-them framing, and distrust of institutions) that were originally being described.

[Schwarzer Ritter]

You and your ilk slavishly believed everything said about Biden including his hand springs in the Rose Garden (you lack a sense of humor).

We believe in a philosophy and not the.infallibility of one man.

You started the us versus them. Own it.

I've got the book and you can look up the interview.

Foolish? You are what you are and no one is denying it.

Cherry picking? It means YOU are wrong on the facts. Accept your defeat.

You never answered the question did you. I'm going to accept your surrender.

[69in2it69]

Originally Posted by Schwarzer Ritter

You and your ilk slavishly believed everything said about Biden including his hand springs in the Rose Garden (you lack a sense of humor).

We believe in a philosophy and not the.infallibility of one man.

You started the us versus them. Own it.

I've got the book and you can look up the interview.

Foolish? You are what you are and no one is denying it.

Cherry picking? It means YOU are wrong on the facts. Accept your defeat.

You never answered the question did you. I'm going to accept your surrender.

Reading is fundamental. The question was answered, here's a summary:


it also ironically illustrates many of the behaviors (like emotional reasoning, us-vs-them framing, and distrust of institutions) that were originally being described.



Did a penguin take your job? Why so angry?
• This does not provide a comprehensive counterargument to the broader cult-like behavior claim.

[Schwarzer Ritter]

The actions of the left are sufficient counter argument to anything you post.

[69in2it69]

Originally Posted by Schwarzer Ritter

The actions of the left are sufficient counter argument to anything you post.

That's as empty as the orange ass when it comes to reasoning.



P.S. China just bitch slapped him (and America) into the next century.

[winn dixie]

Yes. The maga movement is a cult.
Checks every box of a cult.

[Schwarzer Ritter]

The left is capable of great violence. Ask the Manson family about cults.

[HDGristle]

Originally Posted by Schwarzer Ritter

I've been hearing this cult talk the last 48 hours.

My dude, I've been hearing it and watching the evidence pile up since 2016.

[Yssup Rider]

The Manson family?

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA