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From: inFormer@informer.org (Rev Dennis Erlich)
Newsgroups: alt.religion.scientology
Subject: Re: "Shattered" minds
Date: 27 Nov 1998 10:47:20 PST
Organization: inFormer Ministry [a 501(c)3 non-profit, religious organization] "... in service of cult victims and their families."
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seekon@spamblock.ix.netcom.com (Conner) asks a burning question of
Rebecca:

>	so exactly what factors do you think cause people to
>	join cults?  can you explain the cultic experience in
>	a way that former cult members can agree with?  do 
>	you have a theory that is consistent, that matches available
>	data?  

   I believe you are treading into no-man's land by asking her to
actually explain how the known phenomena of a cultic experience relate
to certain of her views.

>   is it something more insightful than something to
>	the effect that sometimes people get stupid?  

   I think it's more, buyer beware.

>     or do you
>	simply bounce the explanations erlich and others provide
>	against this personal responsibility angle, and when they don't
>	stick, you reject them?  

   What more can you expect of people?  At least she listens to us.
And responds.  She did apologize for calling me a whiner (even tho i
took it as a complement).

>	i know, so many questions.  i think what i struggle with is
>	that i don't see the data that  your philosophy of personal
>	responsibility is built on, and i don't see it adapting to 
>	accomodate data about actual cultic behavior.

   I know.  Those dots don't seem to connect.  Do they, 3?

   <sigh>

   Rev Dennis Erlich  * * the inFormer * *
           <inForm@primenet.com>
            <inForm@newsguy.com>