Martial Arts Student or Cult Member?

[ZDawson]

I awoke one day to find myself as a member of a Cult. I was dazed; around me a saws the signs and did not know how in the hell I managed to get myself into this position. I considered myself a self-aware, reasonably intelligent person with a strong since of self.  Not only had I become a member, I was a leader.  I wore the uniform, I spoke the propaganda and I fostered the belief in the cult to others. I had become brainwashed. I like many others was a martial arts student.  How do you tell if you are at a martial student or if you are a cult member?

[dastars]

I would say the test is how you respond to criticism of your system.  If you can acknowledge the holes in your instruction/system, then you are still "just" a student.  If you respond with blind devotion to the instructor/system, then perhaps there is something to be concerned about.

[HATED]

I still see myself as a student, as I don't concern myself with the politics. I'm only interested in the being the best fighter I can be, and reconize all systems as having value. Well... excpet cardo stuff. 

[D-Fence]

 Here is a great article on the subject.    http://www.nononsenseselfdefense.com/cults.htm

[Rob Poelking]

May the infidels tremble in fear.

The flip side of that entire article is that there are good people in this world, in this system that are teaching a legitimate art that hides no secrets. Praise be to Jabba!

May Jabba favor my teacher.

[Brandi Ross]

That is a great article.

Praise be to Jabba

Sigung,

Do you mean Jabba the Hut?   If so, then may the force be with you.

On a more serious side, the article was interesting. 

[Rob Poelking]

Not only for giggles, but to see the kind of fanaticism and fantasy I am talking about, try going to the forum of a group that you suspect might be leaning towards cult-status.  Read the posts. As you do try saying "Praise be to Jabba" after every time someone uses the system's name. Whenever someone mentions a title/rank as though it were a part of a persons name (i.e. Master Who Flung Poo) or speaks in reverence of someone,  add in "May Jabba favor him." And every time someone says how the grand, glorious and deadly a fighting system it is (or  how undefeatable a move from it is) add "The infidels will tremble in fear" Count how many times that happens on a particular thread.

It was in reference to a conversation betwen Bin Laden and the cleric. To not offend Islam, which by-in-large, disapproves of terrorism, he substituted Jabba (like the Hut) for the name of God.

[Brandi Ross]

Thanks,  I guess I forgot about the earlier reference... Ooops!

[Enfemus]

Very good article above, I can see how someone would fall into a cult feeling very easily. I always keep my goals in mind what I am I there for and am I learning what I came for.

Brian