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26 Organizations In Modern Society That Should Be Called Cults Despite Formally Not Called One, According To Folks Online
How often do we use the words "cult" or "iconic" in relation to celebrities, movies or TV shows, sports teams, brands or hobbies? Perhaps too often. But does this mean that the object of our admiration and worship has all the signs of a real cult? Some will laugh and say no. Someone will think and say: "Perhaps..."
Recently, a viral thread has appeared in the AskReddit community, dedicated to various people and phenomena in our lives that have all the signs of a cult, while not actually being a cult. So here's a selection of the most interesting points in this list, carefully collected by Bored Panda.
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#1
The dudes with the "toxic masculinity" type of views and opinions.
Bro, being disrespectful to women doesn't make you an alpha male, it makes you an a*****e.
Kevin the Manager 1 year ago
I feel like the guy in the photo is not representative of the alpha male you refer to. Maybe you know him, though.
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Perhaps the closest thing to a real cult today are various brands which create a real obsession among loyal fans. Don't you think, for example, all those queues of thousands on the eve of the launch of a popular smartphone brand resemble devout adherents of some religion? And a charismatic corporate CEO presenting a new product to exalted fans can easily pass for a prophet or a religious leader...
#4
Fox News
ЛеснойКороль(ForestKing)H/H 1 year ago
i’m not american but sometimes i see clips, man i love watching old cis white men arguing whether or not i deserve rights as a human being 😊👍 /s
"In religious studies, a cult is defined by a group led by a charismatic leader and which usually triggers behavior-altering habits in followers. The general public tends to use the term for new-age religions or those with beliefs considered radical or extreme," Jarrett Fuller, a contributing editor to Eye on Design, writes in his recent article.
"Often unspoken, however, is that these groups are usually funded through selling a product or service, whether that's tools and methods for self-help, books, and other content, or simply access to the club, complicating the lines between religion and company, self-help and grip." Yes, in recent decades, the role of religion in modern society has been gradually declining, and new subjects and objects of worship have taken its place.
#7
Political parties
#8
HOA's
ЛеснойКороль(ForestKing)H/H 1 year ago
screw you karen, i’m going to make my mailbox one centimetre higher on purpose now
#9
Iglesia ni Cristo (Church of Christ) from the Philippines is a cult pretending to be a religion. These people visit your home when you miss church, require you to declare your earnings (and then ask for contributions). And even dictate who to vote during elections. Big yikes.
Let's take a look at the list of the most-followed TikTok accounts. The two leaders on this list, Khaby Lame and Charli D'Amelio, have over 150 million followers each, which is comparable to the population of an entire country from the world's top ten. Isn't there a reason to compare many contemporary influencers to true prophets? Among the leaders in terms of the number of followers on Instagram, there are mainly stars of sports, cinema and music. By the way, have you forgotten that the very word "culture" comes from the root "cult"?
#10
Apple fanboys.
Realistically any overly aggressive brand loyalty, but Apple people are the worst.
Cristian Gonzalez 1 year ago
TBH I don't see what is the fuss about iphones since they are just too expensive, barely change anything in updates, basically the same thing since the last 4 years & I don't see why people feel so rich just flexing their phones in front of everybody since they are just being ripped off.
#12
the cult of idealization of productivity. I’m glad that people manage their time and are motivated, but when every second one screams that “you need to get up at 4 in the morning, because the strongest do it” sorry, but I don’t see the point in this if there is no goal. it would be better to say HOW HEALTHY SLEEP is important.
Luke Branwen 1 year ago
I honestly like getting up very early, but if it's voluntary. Everything sleeps, I have peace and can write uninterrupted.
Be that as it may, today we are surrounded by many phenomena, the attitude towards which sometimes resembles religion, and moreover, they even have their own priests (suffice to recall, let's say HOA...) But such is the modern world - so all we can do is perhaps just scroll to the very end of this list, like the submissions you consider the truest, and maybe add some of your own ideas in the comments. After all, worshiping pandas is perhaps the most decent and approved 'cult' we know.
#13
Disney
King Itchy 1 year ago
You can be an adult who likes Disney movies and not be a "Disney Adult" if that is what this is referring to.
#14
Peloton
David Wambold 1 year ago
It's basically a pay to exercise service. You spend up to $2500 on a bike then need a subscription to tune into their broadcasts to work out with them.
#15
lululemon. i worked there and we had “regulars” that would come in each week for new stuff. the employee culture is weird too
Hill Branda 1 year ago
Again, too old to know or care. So I looked it up. $70 for a pair of plain running shorts? Why?
#16
Jeep owners
#17
Weight Watchers
Will Cable 1 year ago
Best place to eat a cake is right outside their doors just when everyone leaving.
#19
Competitive dance.
SweetCheesySpaghetti 1 year ago
Also: competitive cheerleading. (if this appears farther down, i apologize for the repetition)
#22
MrBeast worshippers
#24
Texas A&M
Hill Branda 1 year ago
Texas A&M is a university in Texas, famous for it's football team and the students' general redneck demeanor. Texas treats college sports like a religion. People are loyal to the team across generations, even if they never attended the university. It's truly bizarre.
#25
Academia
What do you think ?
Nikki Sevven 1 year ago
MAGA idiots. They think they have a right to overthrow the federal government, and they excuse all manner of criminal acts and inappropriate behavior.
Thenatural 1 year ago
Get ready America...you've got either Desantis or trump next...you think things are bad now........
Load More Replies...
Chia 1 year ago
Veganism. Wait—hear me out. I am vegan, happily so, but many vegans will shame you for not practicing it the same way they do or for not doing it for the “right “ reasons.
censorshipsucks 1 year ago (edited)
correct. I support vegans even though I am not one, and have dated 3. You guys are on the money with moral stance. I'll convert when the meat substitutes are readily available at takeout places and are not double the price.
Load More Replies... Nikki Sevven 1 year ago
MAGA idiots. They think they have a right to overthrow the federal government, and they excuse all manner of criminal acts and inappropriate behavior.
Thenatural 1 year ago
Get ready America...you've got either Desantis or trump next...you think things are bad now........
Load More Replies... Chia 1 year ago
Veganism. Wait—hear me out. I am vegan, happily so, but many vegans will shame you for not practicing it the same way they do or for not doing it for the “right “ reasons.
censorshipsucks 1 year ago (edited)
correct. I support vegans even though I am not one, and have dated 3. You guys are on the money with moral stance. I'll convert when the meat substitutes are readily available at takeout places and are not double the price.
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