Why do people think Scientology is a cult? This question covers the mistruth that Scientology is a cult. From being in dialogue with people who use those kinds of words and they don't all even mean the same...
From being in dialogue with people who use those kinds of words and they don't all even mean the same thing, I don't think it's a good word to use for anybody. It becomes so emotionally laden. And it is also inexact. It's like, "Define your term. What do you mean by that?" It has an old meaning. It means a form of worship.
It's a term that's meant to say, "My way is the right way, and your way is the wrong way." It's interesting. I think the first person, a psychiatrist, you know brainwashing was a word invented in the 50's, I think the first person who made it up was a CIA Operative. There are people that believe you brainwash other people, and governments in the 50's were very concerned with how do you control and retain loyalty. It's a big issue.
You know, one of the first psychiatrist who wrote broadly about brainwashing and made allegations, in other words, he thought of religious conversion as a result of some kind of brainwashing. William Sargent said that was happening and Billy Graham has said it.
