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Religious cults in Ireland

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Comments

  • Closed Accounts Posts: 179 ✭✭sagat2


    No mention of his butchership Tony Quinn :eek:


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 4,940 ✭✭✭Corkfeen


    Irish people are generally born into the worlds largest cult....:D


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,659 ✭✭✭CrazyRabbit


    I created my own religion. I only have 4 followers, so I guess it qualifies as a 'cult', and I would therefore be the crazy cult leader.

    And no, my religion doesn't involve rabbits....well not directly anyway.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 8,018 ✭✭✭Mike 1972


    I often thought about starting my own religion but reckoned it wouldnt really catch on.

    "Everybody is going to hell" kinda lacks that essential feelgood factor
    bazmaiden wrote: »
    Did you know that there are more registered Jedis than Jews in the U.K

    There is no central register of religious affiliation in the UK
    owenc wrote: »
    Jahaova witness they came to my door, trying to convert us, i don't know why they are doing it because standing at a door won't get someone to convert sorry!

    Why dont you try converting them to YOUR religion ?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,659 ✭✭✭CrazyRabbit


    Some of these religious people are very forgetful. They keep asking me "Have you found Jesus?", and I have to keep reminding them that I was never looking for him to begin with.


  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 6,798 ✭✭✭karma_


    The Orange Order are a religious cult. Surprised they haven't had a mention yet.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,183 ✭✭✭storm2811


    Mike 1972 wrote: »



    Why dont you try converting them to YOUR religion ?


    That'd be hilarious!

    "Let me tell you about Jesus.."
    "No no no,let ME tell YOU about Tarvu!"

    http://www.tarvu.com/ *


    *I don't actually believe in this shapeshifting octopus


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 22,479 ✭✭✭✭philologos


    Truley wrote: »
    So yeah, ten years on I'm a pretty committed athiest, and deep down I find the whole organised religion/cult thing pretty lame. But I can definatly see why so many people subscribe to the idea of it.

    Why do you think people do?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 30,746 ✭✭✭✭Galvasean


    Jakkass wrote: »
    Why do you think people do?

    And Jakkass manages to take the thread off topic in one fell post! :pac:

    re Cults: I think it's the Mormons (obscenely polite people wearing black n' white suits who all have strong American accents for some reason) who are quite active in Dundalk, particularly near the college. Buggers used to always stop me on the way home asking if my life had fulfillment. Makes sense I suppose, spend 3 years living there and you're gonna be wanting a change of direction in life.


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  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 5,524 ✭✭✭owenc


    storm2811 wrote: »
    I remember when I was about 12 I was in Dublin with my brother and I seen this sign outside the scientology HQ or something that said "FREE PERSONALITY TESTS" so I was like "Oooh,I want one!" and started walking in untill my brother pulled me away and told me it was the scientology place.

    Needless to say I was like :eek:,afterwards.

    Is that like science as a religion? I've never heard of any of these religions in my life they don't have any of them here.


  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 5,524 ✭✭✭owenc


    Corkfeen wrote: »
    Irish people are generally born into the worlds largest cult....:D

    Yeah and i think they should change and be able to pick their own religion,if i hated my religion and said i wanted to convert my parents would hit me and never speak to me again, its so stupid.


  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 5,524 ✭✭✭owenc


    Mike 1972 wrote: »
    I often thought about starting my own religion but reckoned it wouldnt really catch on.

    "Everybody is going to hell" kinda lacks that essential feelgood factor



    There is no central register of religious affiliation in the UK



    Why dont you try converting them to YOUR religion ?

    Because i'd look like some sort of creep... plus i'm not 90 so could you imagine i teenager coming out to the door and doing that.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 234 ✭✭themadhair


    owenc wrote: »
    Is that like science as a religion?
    No. There is no science whatsoever in Scientology.


  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 5,524 ✭✭✭owenc


    karma_ wrote: »
    The Orange Order are a religious cult. Surprised they haven't had a mention yet.

    No they are bigots.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 20,919 ✭✭✭✭Gummy Panda


    I follow the hawk


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,295 ✭✭✭✭Duggy747


    I remember a few years back I took a Scientologist test online for the lulz. The questionare was quite basic though as you got on you were asked the same questions except they were phrased differently. Example question: "Would you ever find that you whistle a tune to yourself?" :confused:

    My result was that I was borderline clinicaly depressed with next to no confidence in myself :pac: I had a nice little graph too of my supposed emotions.

    Needless to say I had my lulz and forgot about it until I got an e-mail a few days later from someone in Dublin who wanted me to meet him to ask me more questions.............I was also required to bring money :D

    Never heard from them again, fortunately!


  • Posts: 0 CMod ✭✭✭✭ Kaia Colossal Bobsled


    owenc wrote: »
    Is that like science as a religion? I've never heard of any of these religions in my life they don't have any of them here.

    Scifi author decided he wanted to get rich off inventing a religion a few decades ago, announced this, invented said religion with aliens and crap. You pay money to "advance".


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 22,479 ✭✭✭✭philologos


    Galvasean wrote: »
    And Jakkass manages to take the thread off topic in one fell post! :pac:

    It's taking the thread off topic to ask someone about their post? :pac:


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,900 ✭✭✭InTheTrees


    We had a scientoligist in our team at work.

    He used to have to get permission if he wanted to have a drink with us after work. Of course he rarely came with us.

    There was some guy in the background who we never saw who was controlling his entire life. weird.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,900 ✭✭✭InTheTrees


    bluewolf wrote: »
    Scifi author decided he wanted to get rich off inventing a religion a few decades ago, announced this, invented said religion with aliens and crap. You pay money to "advance".

    L Ron Hubbard.

    Mediocre Scifi author. He was asked whats the best way to get rich and he said start a religion.

    Their whole schtick is fixing your mental problems through courses and classes that cost a fortune and reveal your even deeper mental problems.


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,183 ✭✭✭storm2811


    owenc wrote: »
    Is that like science as a religion? I've never heard of any of these religions in my life they don't have any of them here.


    It's a worldwide religion,google it.

    Something not quite right about it imo.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,900 ✭✭✭InTheTrees


    The whole "religion" part of scientology is just so they dont have to pay tax in the US.

    The scifi goobldegook is just to satisfy the legal requirements to qualify as a "religion" and thus pay no tax.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 234 ✭✭themadhair


    InTheTrees wrote: »
    The whole "religion" part of scientology is just so they dont have to pay tax in the US.
    There is a little bit more to the story. When Hubbard initially introduced Dianetics he was selling it as a science. The problem with selling a science, especially when you are making all sorts of medical claims, is that you fall foul of legislation concerning treatments. The New Jersey Board of medical examiners took a case against the Hubbard Dianetic Foundation for practicing medicine without a licence. The upshot of this case was the bankruptcy of the foundation in the early part on 1953. Not to be put off, Hubbard simply opening up again in December of that year under the title ‘Church of Scientology’.

    Even at this point Hubbard was still pushing the science line. Check out this quote from the 1954 version of ‘The Creation of Human Ability’:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CBpQvTa3RJA

    As the tax benefits became more obvious this was the direction Hubbard eventually went. The money shot illustrating this is the following:
    religionr.jpg


    Money quote:
    “Scientology 1970 is being planned on a religious organization basis throughout the world. This will not upset in any way the usual activities of any organization. It is entirely a matter for accountants and solicitors. I have evidently failed in designating HASI Ltd. As a non-profit corporation. Therefore other arrangements must be made, but these in no way shatter any organization or change its personal in the slightest.”


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,628 ✭✭✭Truley


    Jakkass wrote: »
    Why do you think people do?

    Because it's so rare in life that people get a real, natural feeling of harmony and togetherness with other people, especially with people outside of their immediate family. There are very few occasions where people can come together with a common idea, or a reason to celebrate, and so they use religion / the supernatural as an easy way of unifying themselves. It's human nature to want to feel accepted, and very few opportunities in life provide people with that feeling of unconditional benevolence. Organised religion in it's untainted early stages can provide that. Cults can give the impression of it in a very concentrated way. And that's why they so often attract people with poor social skills or dysfuntional family backgrounds. People who would otherwise be forced to the outskirts of society. That's just my opinion anyway.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 22,479 ✭✭✭✭philologos


    Truley wrote: »
    Because it's so rare in life that people get a real, natural feeling of harmony and togetherness with other people, especially with people outside of their immediate family. There are very few occasions where people can come together with a common idea, or a reason to celebrate, and so they use religion / the supernatural as an easy way of unifying themselves. It's human nature to want to feel accepted, and very few opportunities in life provide people with that feeling of unconditional benevolence. Organised religion in it's untainted early stages can provide that. Cults can give the impression of it in a very concentrated way. And that's why they so often attract people with poor social skills or dysfuntional family backgrounds. People who would otherwise be forced to the outskirts of society. That's just my opinion anyway.

    I can see the benefit that you are referring to. I wouldn't say it is the main reason by any means though. People can form groups on anything and everything, and people can particularly in the age we live in, get social contact through these things. Not necessarily via organised religion.

    Do people believe in the supernatural as a means for just social contact or are there better reasons for doing so?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,183 ✭✭✭storm2811


    Jakkass wrote: »
    I can see the benefit that you are referring to. I wouldn't say it is the main reason by any means though. People can form groups on anything and everything, and people can particularly in the age we live in, get social contact through these things. Not necessarily via organised religion.

    Do people believe in the supernatural as a means for just social contact or are there better reasons for doing so?

    The supernatural as in a god?

    I think that many people would believe in a god as a kind of comfort,to believe that there is someone/something looking after them.


    Or as something to turn to when everyone goes bad,they would have their religious community and would look to their god for guidance/comfort etc.

    Or for hope,that there is something more than just life here or for looking for answers in life,how we got here,what we're doing here,why do such things happen and so on.


    This is really OT btw me thinks.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 22,479 ✭✭✭✭philologos


    storm2811 wrote: »
    I think that many people would believe in a god as a kind of comfort,to believe that there is someone/something looking after them.

    I don't know. Many people can also view the idea of God problematic, as they wouldn't like to think of the idea that there may be consequences for how people live. That would be certainly uncomforting.
    storm2811 wrote: »
    Or as something to turn to when everyone goes bad,they would have their religious community and would look to their god for guidance/comfort etc.

    Again, one could also dwell on asking why God would do such a thing.
    storm2811 wrote: »
    Or for hope,that there is something more than just life here or for looking for answers in life,how we got here,what we're doing here,why do such things happen and so on.

    True, but I would consider this a common human quest rather than a specifically religious one. It is logical to ask how we got here, and what our purpose is.
    storm2811 wrote: »
    This is really OT btw me thinks.

    Not any more OT than other posts.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,183 ✭✭✭storm2811


    Jakkass wrote: »
    I don't know. Many people can also view the idea of God problematic, as they wouldn't like to think of the idea that there may be consequences for how people live. That would be certainly uncomforting.



    Again, one could also dwell on asking why God would do such a thing.



    True, but I would consider this a common human quest rather than a specifically religious one. It is logical to ask how we got here, and what our purpose is.



    Not any more OT than other posts.

    True,there are two sides to every story/opinion though,that was just my thoughts on why people may become religious.

    I agree,this is one of the various reasons why I became an athiest,but others may still look to god for hope and to help them get past their troubles.

    Yes,but what I meant was that those who believe in Christianity for example,get most of their answers to life from the bible,how we got here,why,etc.


    Someone may also turn to religion to give a sense of being or a reason for living,I have known people who were depressed but would go on in the hope that god would help them.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,111 ✭✭✭peanuthead


    I was a member of a cult in Ireland for years. Was born into it but left when I was old enough.

    They are called the Palmarian Catholics. You can google them for more information. For real have their own pope and all!!!

    Heres a link to a thread I wrote in 2 years ago.

    http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=318698


  • Posts: 0 CMod ✭✭✭✭ Kaia Colossal Bobsled


    Jakkass wrote: »
    I don't know. Many people can also view the idea of God problematic, as they wouldn't like to think of the idea that there may be consequences for how people live. That would be certainly uncomforting.

    .

    They can, but they probably don't.
    And there are consequences for how we live - either a good life, or breaking the law and all its punishments, or getting heart disease, etc etc etc.


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 22,479 ✭✭✭✭philologos


    bluewolf wrote: »
    They can, but they probably don't.
    And there are consequences for how we live - either a good life, or breaking the law and all its punishments, or getting heart disease, etc etc etc.

    I've heard people say this in conversation, so it is one reason amongst many that people don't consider any form of faith. Precisely because they aren't interested in the prospect of maybe having to change how they live.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,628 ✭✭✭Truley


    Jakkass wrote: »
    I can see the benefit that you are referring to. I wouldn't say it is the main reason by any means though. People can form groups on anything and everything, and people can particularly in the age we live in, get social contact through these things. Not necessarily via organised religion.

    Indeed. But few groupings give the same sense of unity and reassurance as a religious one does. Families, friends, society can be unstable and unreliable. But God is a steady entity, like the father figure you never had. And even better when you have so many other people who share the same ideal. It's like being part of the cheerleading squad, or the football team, except you don't have to wait to get picked, the fact that you want to be a part of it is enough to be accepted. And it's a nice feeling.
    Do people believe in the supernatural as a means for just social contact or are there better reasons for doing so?

    I would say on a subconscious level at least, the feeling of being part of a group is one of the main factors that drives people to religions and cults. And away from them too as the case may be.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 22,479 ✭✭✭✭philologos


    Truley wrote: »
    Indeed. But few groupings give the same sense of unity and reassurance as a religious one does. Families, friends, society can be unstable and unreliable. But God is a steady entity, like the father figure you never had. And even better when you have so many other people who share the same ideal. It's like being part of the cheerleading squad, or the football team, except you don't have to wait to get picked, the fact that you want to be a part of it is enough to be accepted. And it's a nice feeling.

    1) I believe its true that some groupings of people for this reason can be more family like. I would argue probably this is also due to the logical implications of their beliefs as well.

    2) God being the Father figure people never had? This is a bit of a leap I think. I've also heard that some people have difficulties affiliating with God as Father as they have problems understanding what it means having lived in dysfunctional families. So perhaps that lends itself both ways.

    3) It might be nice to be a part of a group like this on a pragmatic level. However, affiliating to certain beliefs is going to mean that your life mightn't be as easy as if you didn't. You will have to make sacrifices, and you will have to change how you behave towards other people, and take an interest in God first in your life. That's hard even from my perspective.

    If it was all about the group that you go to (I hold that belief is more than a Sunday issue, it also is a Monday, Tuesday etc issue) then these issues wouldn't be of much circumstance.
    Truley wrote: »
    I would say on a subconscious level at least, the feeling of being part of a group is one of the main factors that drives people to religions and cults. And away from them too as the case may be.

    I don't know to be honest with you. If you don't really believe going to church can seem very empty, you can read such opinions all over boards, I also felt that way for a while too. If it was just the group motivation, it wouldn't be this way.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 644 ✭✭✭filthymcnasty


    Opus Dei have a compound out at Lismullin near the Hill of Tara, QUOTE]

    how come these cults always seem to reside in 'compounds' ?!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,628 ✭✭✭Truley


    Jakkass wrote: »
    I don't know to be honest with you. If you don't really believe going to church can seem very empty, you can read such opinions all over boards, I also felt that way for a while too. If it was just the group motivation, it wouldn't be this way.

    Ah but that's exactly my point you see! In grassroots religions like the Mormons in Ireland (at the time), or some of the smaller Christian groups, and most importantly cults, they are starting off with the right intentions. The origional goal, a group of like minded people who come together to share a common idea/belief. For example in this country very few people were born into Mormonism, the chuch I was a part of mostly consisted of adult converts. So their church services took place in a volunteer's back garden, while everyone sat in a circle an participated. Most of all everyone who was there genuinely wanted to be there. They weren't forced by their families, or by a sense of guilt or duty.

    Larger, more established churches don't provide that as most people are born into it and so become members by default, not by choice. As well as that churches and cults become so big that they take on a commerical structure, where self-preservation takes priority, and there is no unity amongst its followers anymore. How often do you hear people say they believe in Catholicism but not the way many Catholic officails believe and act? Nobody agrees on what they want anymore, even in the Vatican, it's a complete joke. That's when so many people will seek out smaller, grassroot groupings for the reasons I stated before.


  • Moderators, Category Moderators, Music Moderators, Politics Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 22,360 CMod ✭✭✭✭Dravokivich


    Opus Dei have a compound out at Lismullin near the Hill of Tara, QUOTE]

    how come these cults always seem to reside in 'compounds' ?!

    The Vatican is an "Independant State"


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 22,479 ✭✭✭✭philologos


    I agree that there is a community aspect, but I don't think it is the main reason why people believe. I would continue believing in God, even if I were not a part of such a community, because I believe it to be true. It being true, is above and beyond the idea of community.

    I'm not sure if we can establish why, without dialoguing with people involved.


  • Registered Users Posts: 7,004 ✭✭✭conorhal


    The feckin' Green Party :mad:

    A quasi religous cult with more proscriptions about what you can and can't do then Islam. Bunch of nutters!


  • Registered Users Posts: 1,917 ✭✭✭JimsAlterEgo


    galwayrush wrote: »
    With their totally devoted fanatical supporters, the biggest and most dangerous cvnt in the country is F.F.:pac:
    FYP


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,938 ✭✭✭ballsymchugh


    owenc wrote: »
    Is that like science as a religion? I've never heard of any of these religions in my life they don't have any of them here.

    south park has an answer to everything!!



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 234 ✭✭themadhair


    Jakkass wrote: »
    I don't know. Many people can also view the idea of God problematic, as they wouldn't like to think of the idea that there may be consequences for how people live. That would be certainly uncomforting.
    Jakkass wrote: »
    I've heard people say this in conversation, so it is one reason amongst many that people don't consider any form of faith. Precisely because they aren't interested in the prospect of maybe having to change how they live.
    Ermm…nope. But good to see you at least have an idea why the above is rarely true:
    Jakkass wrote: »
    I agree that there is a community aspect, but I don't think it is the main reason why people believe. I would continue believing in God, even if I were not a part of such a community, because I believe it to be true. It being true, is above and beyond the idea of community.


  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 1,934 ✭✭✭robp


    I would object to the term 'cults' being used. Its a antiquated word. It has far too much negative baggage. Strictly speaking a cult has no negative connotations. I could write without any partisan views that Catholicism is composed of many cults. That shouldn't be seen as a criticism. The proper term for small scale possessive religions is new religious movements (NRMs). There is a watch dog for overseeing NRMs in Ireland.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,497 ✭✭✭Nick_oliveri


    I think Scientology is a prime example of how transparently ridiculous some religions or cults can be. It was started by a Science Fiction author FFS. Yet it has a large amount of supporters,celebrity endorsements and large finances. A joke to some but a life for others.

    How sad and scary is that?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 43,045 ✭✭✭✭Nevyn


    robp wrote: »
    I would object to the term 'cults' being used. Its a antiquated word. It has far too much negative baggage. Strictly speaking a cult has no negative connotations. I could write without any partisan views that Catholicism is composed of many cults. That shouldn't be seen as a criticism. The proper term for small scale possessive religions is new religious movements (NRMs). There is a watch dog for overseeing NRMs in Ireland.

    I don't mind it at all, if a person has a bad reaction to the word cult and doesn't understand it and is bogged down by the negative connotations then it's a pretty good idiot filter and I know to not bother talking about my spirituality and the fertility cult I am a member of.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 43,045 ✭✭✭✭Nevyn


    I think Scientology is a prime example of how transparently ridiculous some religions or cults can be. It was started by a Science Fiction author FFS. Yet it has a large amount of supporters,celebrity endorsements and large finances. A joke to some but a life for others.

    How sad and scary is that?

    Dude that Roman Catholic Church invented that Scientology is just doing a cover version.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 234 ✭✭themadhair


    robp wrote: »
    I would object to the term 'cults' being used. Its a antiquated word. It has far too much negative baggage.
    It is precisely because the word has negative baggage that is needed. I have argued that the term needs to be reclaimed for use as a descriptor of the ‘problem’.

    My definition:
    A cult is any group or organisation that, through excessive undue influence upon its members, causes severe mental, financial and/or societal harm.

    Note that the above definition does not involve either religion or ideology, and I think cuts right to the heart of the matter. The term ‘cult’ has many different meanings, and I think using it in a manner similar to the above is much more useful.
    The proper term for small scale possessive religions is new religious movements (NRMs).
    Unfortunately this term is completely useless when analysing this topic in the real world. For example the Hare Krishnas are an NRM but I would strongly argue they are not a cult as per the above definition. The culture of covering up child abuse within Catholic institutions is deserving of the cult label, and yet this is not an NRM. Then there are groups like Landmark or Amway which are a cults but do not have any religious elements, or even the pretence of religious elements, to them. The fact that the ‘proper’ term, as you describe it, is so inadequate for describing the cult problem should be an argument for reclaiming the term ‘cult’.
    There is a watch dog for overseeing NRMs in Ireland.
    ?


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