To the MAGA folk

[tigres88]

I ask this, as there is always finger pointing back and forth and "both sides" claim to project on one another, and both sides also "claim" that every accusation is a confession. I will even caveat to say that "MAGA" isn't a cult in the traditional sense of the word, as its far too large and is a political party.

However, I struggle to see how there aren't MAJOR cult tendencies in the current Republican/MAGA party, and significantly less so in the Democrat/liberal party. I ask this genuinely, what am I missing? This isn't a gotcha, I'm genuinely curious whether or not you consider yourself to be a part of a semi-cult or not, and why?

I asked Gemini this prompt: I'm asking this apolitically and want you to answer in the same way- what are the characteristics of a cult, if you would explain it to a college kid in 500 or less words, and this is what it gave me:

1. Authoritarian Leadership​

Cults revolve around a single, charismatic leader (or a small, insular leadership structure) who claims exclusive access to truth, salvation, or ultimate knowledge. Their authority is absolute and unquestionable. Unlike a normal organization where a leader is accountable to a board or a set of rules, a cult leader is the rule.

2. The "Us vs. Them" Mentality​

High-demand groups isolate their members by framing the outside world as corrupt, dangerous, or entirely lost. They demand absolute loyalty and actively discourage contact with non-members, including family and old friends. This isolation makes the member entirely dependent on the group for social support and their sense of reality.

3. Information Control​

To keep members compliant, leadership strictly limits what they can read, watch, or listen to. Legitimate criticism of the group is labeled as a "test of faith" or an attack by enemies. Members are often taught "thought-stopping" techniques—like chanting, praying, or reciting specific phrases—to instantly shut down their own internal doubts.

4. Behavioral and Lifestyle Control​

The group dictates the intimate details of a member's daily life. This can include who they can associate with, what they wear, what they eat, and how they spend their money. Members are also frequently kept chronically exhausted through mandatory labor, intense study, or endless meetings, which naturally breaks down critical thinking.

5. No Legitimate Way to Leave​

In a healthy group—whether a mainstream religion, a political party, or a club—you can leave with your dignity intact. In a cult, leaving is framed as a moral failure, a betrayal, or a guarantee of total ruin. Former members are instantly excommunicated or shunned, meaning anyone who steps away loses their entire social network overnight.

Coming from a Democrat, I think 1-3 are clearly a part of the MAGA ethos. I think 4 is debatable, as MAGA is legitimately open about what people do, wear, think, etc. AS LONG as you pay homage to being MAGA and President Trump, then everything else doesn't really matter. I think 5 is clearly a part of the MAGA ethos as well, as we have seen with anyone that has broken ranks with MAGA/Trump and the public admonishments/cancelations.

I think the left/liberals fall into some of these categories, it is politics and all. But, I fail to see how the "left" or "liberals" check off the majority of these boxes in totality as MAGA does. Am I wrong?

 

[Jerome Silberman]

You're wrong for thinking you'll get an earnest answer from a group of people that have proven time and again that they are dishonest.

It's political reactionism, and it always leads to a worse outcome for all but the chosen few.

 

[RollingballofButcherKnives]

I ask this, as there is always finger pointing back and forth and "both sides" claim to project on one another, and both sides also "claim" that every accusation is a confession. I will even caveat to say that "MAGA" isn't a cult in the traditional sense of the word, as its far too large and is a political party.

However, I struggle to see how there aren't MAJOR cult tendencies in the current Republican/MAGA party, and significantly less so in the Democrat/liberal party. I ask this genuinely, what am I missing? This isn't a gotcha, I'm genuinely curious whether or not you consider yourself to be a part of a semi-cult or not, and why?

I asked Gemini this prompt: I'm asking this apolitically and want you to answer in the same way- what are the characteristics of a cult, if you would explain it to a college kid in 500 or less words, and this is what it gave me:

1. Authoritarian Leadership​

Cults revolve around a single, charismatic leader (or a small, insular leadership structure) who claims exclusive access to truth, salvation, or ultimate knowledge. Their authority is absolute and unquestionable. Unlike a normal organization where a leader is accountable to a board or a set of rules, a cult leader is the rule.

2. The "Us vs. Them" Mentality​

High-demand groups isolate their members by framing the outside world as corrupt, dangerous, or entirely lost. They demand absolute loyalty and actively discourage contact with non-members, including family and old friends. This isolation makes the member entirely dependent on the group for social support and their sense of reality.

3. Information Control​

To keep members compliant, leadership strictly limits what they can read, watch, or listen to. Legitimate criticism of the group is labeled as a "test of faith" or an attack by enemies. Members are often taught "thought-stopping" techniques—like chanting, praying, or reciting specific phrases—to instantly shut down their own internal doubts.

4. Behavioral and Lifestyle Control​

The group dictates the intimate details of a member's daily life. This can include who they can associate with, what they wear, what they eat, and how they spend their money. Members are also frequently kept chronically exhausted through mandatory labor, intense study, or endless meetings, which naturally breaks down critical thinking.

5. No Legitimate Way to Leave​

In a healthy group—whether a mainstream religion, a political party, or a club—you can leave with your dignity intact. In a cult, leaving is framed as a moral failure, a betrayal, or a guarantee of total ruin. Former members are instantly excommunicated or shunned, meaning anyone who steps away loses their entire social network overnight.

Coming from a Democrat, I think 1-3 are clearly a part of the MAGA ethos. I think 4 is debatable, as MAGA is legitimately open about what people do, wear, think, etc. AS LONG as you pay homage to being MAGA and President Trump, then everything else doesn't really matter. I think 5 is clearly a part of the MAGA ethos as well, as we have seen with anyone that has broken ranks with MAGA/Trump and the public admonishments/cancelations.

I think the left/liberals fall into some of these categories, it is politics and all. But, I fail to see how the "left" or "liberals" check off the majority of these boxes in totality as MAGA does. Am I wrong?

In a nutshell: fuggin brainwashed nuts…

 

[m.knox]

I ask this, as there is always finger pointing back and forth and "both sides" claim to project on one another, and both sides also "claim" that every accusation is a confession. I will even caveat to say that "MAGA" isn't a cult in the traditional sense of the word, as its far too large and is a political party.

However, I struggle to see how there aren't MAJOR cult tendencies in the current Republican/MAGA party, and significantly less so in the Democrat/liberal party. I ask this genuinely, what am I missing? This isn't a gotcha, I'm genuinely curious whether or not you consider yourself to be a part of a semi-cult or not, and why?

I asked Gemini this prompt: I'm asking this apolitically and want you to answer in the same way- what are the characteristics of a cult, if you would explain it to a college kid in 500 or less words, and this is what it gave me:

1. Authoritarian Leadership​

Cults revolve around a single, charismatic leader (or a small, insular leadership structure) who claims exclusive access to truth, salvation, or ultimate knowledge. Their authority is absolute and unquestionable. Unlike a normal organization where a leader is accountable to a board or a set of rules, a cult leader is the rule.

2. The "Us vs. Them" Mentality​

High-demand groups isolate their members by framing the outside world as corrupt, dangerous, or entirely lost. They demand absolute loyalty and actively discourage contact with non-members, including family and old friends. This isolation makes the member entirely dependent on the group for social support and their sense of reality.

3. Information Control​

To keep members compliant, leadership strictly limits what they can read, watch, or listen to. Legitimate criticism of the group is labeled as a "test of faith" or an attack by enemies. Members are often taught "thought-stopping" techniques—like chanting, praying, or reciting specific phrases—to instantly shut down their own internal doubts.

4. Behavioral and Lifestyle Control​

The group dictates the intimate details of a member's daily life. This can include who they can associate with, what they wear, what they eat, and how they spend their money. Members are also frequently kept chronically exhausted through mandatory labor, intense study, or endless meetings, which naturally breaks down critical thinking.

5. No Legitimate Way to Leave​

In a healthy group—whether a mainstream religion, a political party, or a club—you can leave with your dignity intact. In a cult, leaving is framed as a moral failure, a betrayal, or a guarantee of total ruin. Former members are instantly excommunicated or shunned, meaning anyone who steps away loses their entire social network overnight.

Coming from a Democrat, I think 1-3 are clearly a part of the MAGA ethos. I think 4 is debatable, as MAGA is legitimately open about what people do, wear, think, etc. AS LONG as you pay homage to being MAGA and President Trump, then everything else doesn't really matter. I think 5 is clearly a part of the MAGA ethos as well, as we have seen with anyone that has broken ranks with MAGA/Trump and the public admonishments/cancelations.

I think the left/liberals fall into some of these categories, it is politics and all. But, I fail to see how the "left" or "liberals" check off the majority of these boxes in totality as MAGA does. Am I wrong?

LOL... you are crazy. From the party that wanted to create a "disinformation czar" to control the narrative. Have you forgotten the Twitter files, or just dismissed them out of convenience and confirmation bias?

 

[tigres88]

LOL... you are crazy. From the party that wanted to create a "disinformation czar" to control the narrative. Have you forgotten the Twitter files, or just dismissed them out of convenience and confirmation bias?

I posted this as non-partisan as possible, and yet stated my bias. Either answer the prompt or ignore it. You already know I think you contribute in a net-negative way to this board, and I've refused to even acknowledge your existence for months.

Change my mind in an intelligent way, and perhaps that might change. Otherwise, please put me on ignore as I've asked you to do repeatedly.

 

[TigerGrowls]

 

[TigerGrowls]

Lib tears are delicious!!!

 

[Ktrain1969]

Trump didn't hurt my feelings. I don't vote for phaggot retards. Look I'm learning southern numptie talk.

 

[TigerGrowls]

Trump didn't hurt my feelings. I don't vote for phaggot retards. Look I'm learning southern numptie talk.

Lib is triggered. Mission accomplished.

 

[m.knox]

I posted this as non-partisan as possible, and yet stated my bias. Either answer the prompt or ignore it. You already know I think you contribute in a net-negative way to this board, and I've refused to even acknowledge your existence for months.

Change my mind in an intelligent way, and perhaps that might change. Otherwise, please put me on ignore as I've asked you to do repeatedly.

LOL.... I was addressing point 3. Demonstrating to you that the Biden administration was probably one of the most controlling of information of all administrations. Sadly, you could put together a meaningful rebuttal.

I put no one on ignore. Ever.

 

[Wobmam Rulez!]

I wonder if Pepsi will venture over? I know he's a Cocks fan but this is an off topic board. And he's a total MAGA. He's one of the few MAGA's that I don't have on ignore.

To read the OPs post and not see it would show absolutely zero self-awareness from the MAGA cult but then again, that totally checks all the boxes for them. Otherwise, curious about their response.

 

[tigres88]

I wonder if Pepsi will venture over? I know he's a Cocks fan but this is an off topic board. And he's a total MAGA. He's one of the few MAGA's that I don't have on ignore.

To read the OPs post and not see it would show absolutely zero self-awareness from the MAGA cult but then again, that totally checks all the boxes for them. Otherwise, curious about their response.

There is a reason none of them are posting in here.