Okay, we all know that the media loves to take a big splashy topic and milk it to death for all it's worth.
This article was at least unique in it's approach. Interesting questions were raised; but I came away with the feeling that this would have been better as an in-depth article. More supporting evidence to the questions raised is needed. posted by xena at 4:10 PM on January 24, 2002
It sounds like this article is an attempt to sell Prof. Dave Arnott's book. posted by Neb at 4:21 PM on January 24, 2002
Is Dallas Baptist University a cult? The good prof. seems unaware of some of theother aspects that separate out what seems cult-like groups from what specialist identify as true cults. posted by Postroad at 4:51 PM on January 24, 2002
Cults just take to an extreme the sorts of tactics and psychological games that occur within most closed social systems. I remember talking to a girl, fresh out of college, who worked at Sapient (this was in 1995) who told me sincerely "Sapient is my company. I believe in it."
Are families cults? Sports teams? Most sales organizations? Is patriotism merely masking a large cult? Looked at in the right way (or in a paranoid way) our entire society is simply a set of standards, a set of agreed-upon beliefs, a consensual sense of common sense that arises out of a myriad of smaller, cultish groups each with their own particular beliefs or precepts. posted by vacapinta at 5:01 PM on January 24, 2002
...and just like any other cultists, I couldn't care less about what happens to them. Pledging loyalty to a corporation is akin to selling one's soul. If only Enron cultists could meet an end as fitting as the one bestowed upon those loyal to Branch Davidianism.
And did Enron's chairman, Kenneth L. Lay, operate in much the same way as David Koresh and Marshall Applewhite?
It took me a minute to realize they were saying "Marshall Applewhite," and not bad-mouthing the Texas quarterback. posted by yerfatma at 4:58 AM on January 25, 2002
enron is to branch davidians as microsoft is to scientology. posted by quonsar at 5:48 AM on January 25, 2002
If one looks with the right eyes, Enron is a cult. But so is every large company. And, by the way, every large union. And Mary Kay Cosmetics ought to be stormed by the FBI and Justice department. But I think this says more about the particular definition of "cult" being used than it does about Enron. posted by MidasMulligan at 6:42 AM on January 25, 2002
enron is to branch davidians as microsoft is to scientology
Well, part of Windows 2000 was written by a company that is headed by a $cientologist. In Germany, this was enough to set off some alarm bells. posted by PeteyStock at 8:09 AM on January 25, 2002
This article was at least unique in it's approach. Interesting questions were raised; but I came away with the feeling that this would have been better as an in-depth article. More supporting evidence to the questions raised is needed.
posted by xena at 4:10 PM on January 24, 2002