Cult leaders we don't think of as cult leaders

[lsa]

You don't even provide beverages or snacks at the meetings!

You will get nothing and like it!!

 

[Fishmonger]

You don't even provide beverages or snacks at the meetings!

you have to pay extra for that.

 

[Fishmonger]

You will get nothing and like it!!

 

[blaseblase]

Jesus

 

[Slobodan]

you have to pay extra for that.

He'd probably just get the no name brand stuff...

 

[Fishmonger]

He'd probably just get the no name brand stuff...

oof. tell him to taste test before you do

 

[Mujeriego]

Probably a Stallion and a Mare.

 

[Slobodan]

oof. tell him to taste test before you do

Not a bad idea considering how evil he tends to be

 

[Fishmonger]

Not a bad idea considering how evil he tends to be

if he's the leader, he can lead by example

 

[ssBaldy]

Okay... there's been cults with only a few followers, and there's influencers with only a few followers.

At what point does an influencer become a cult leader?

My take would be when the average follower becomes obsessed with the leader and the leader starts to use it for more than just making money - be it sex, political influence or something else.
I think Taylor Swift kinda qualifies after the story of her using her fans to bully the record company out of ownership of her songs, for example.

 

[GearSolidMetal]

My take would be when the average follower becomes obsessed with the leader and the leader starts to use it for more than just making money - be it sex, political influence or something else.
I think Taylor Swift kinda qualifies after the story of her using her fans to bully the record company out of ownership of her songs, for example.

Before I respond let me say I respect your input although I disagree with it.

So influencers become cult leaders when...
'the average follower becomes obsessed?'
&
'The leader starts to use it for more than just money - sex, political influence, or something else?'

There's so many arbitrary qualifiers in this, like...
*'Average follower'
*'Obsessed'
*'Political Influence?' (Literally hundreds of celebrities give endorcements)
*'Something Else' is the most broad phrase imaginable.

 

[AbominableJoman]

Obama

 

[ssBaldy]

Before I respond let me say I respect your input although I disagree with it.

So influencers become cult leaders when...
'the average follower becomes obsessed?'
&
'The leader starts to use it for more than just money - sex, political influence, or something else?'

There's so many arbitrary qualifiers in this, like...
*'Average follower'
*'Obsessed'
*'Political Influence?' (Literally hundreds of celebrities give endorcements)
*'Something Else' is the most broad phrase imaginable.

Well yeah of course my statement was kinda broad and general. No offence taken.
What I mean is, for example, if an actor starts not simply giving election endorsements, but says something like "Unless you vote candidate X, you can't call yourself my fan", "Like my movies? Go out and protest bill Y" that's looking cult-ish.

Probably the most blatant popstar-led cult would be the Lostprophets frontman making his fans let him molest their little kids.

 

[Hellowhosthat]

When they encourages their followers to do harm onto others and themselves.

Could interweave some religious aspect into it as well.

That answer is basically a rough draft, so I'm open to critique since I came up with it on the spot.

I think it's more when they're willing to submit/dedicate their lives to the cult. I don't think a cult has to be inherently bad.

Anyway David Miscavige, although I imagine most people think of him as a cult leader so that's probably not the answer either.

I guess you could argue for people like Elon or anyone that convinces some people to sleep at work and give up their lives for their vision.

 

[Red Beard]

Now that's a "cult leader" I could get behind... if you know what I mean.

You're referring to sexual intercourse.

 

[lsa]

He'd probably just get the no name brand stuff...

Thats still more than you deserve...

 

[lsa]

oof. tell him to taste test before you do

Thats what you are for!!

 

[ssBaldy]

I think it's more when they're willing to submit/dedicate their lives to the cult. I don't think a cult has to be inherently bad.

Anyway David Miscavige, although I imagine most people think of him as a cult leader so that's probably not the answer either.

I guess you could argue for people like Elon or anyone that convinces some people to sleep at work and give up their lives for their vision.

Yes, I would say it's not about evil, it's about manipulation. If a group leader uses their charisma and authority to manipulate it's members into doing something, be it good or bad, the group may be called a cult.