An interesting perspective on the RLSH movement was brought to my attention in private email.
Could the RLSH be considered a cult?
There are many definitions for what a cult is and amazingly enough many of the descriptions seem to match up to the RLSH. I think this one sums it up nicely: A religion or sect considered to be false, unorthodox, or extremest, with members often living outside of conventional society under the direction of a charismatic leader.
In fact one of the main members of the RLSH believes himself to be the Archangel Metatron.
Thats an incredibly uneducated and out of context definition and description of the the term "cult". Your intentions are incredibly clear, and none of them are very well thought out. The fact that an individual calls themselves something or claims to be something, is on them, and cannot be used to classify a group. You give no basis for your claims of cult activity other than citing part of a definition obtained from wikipedia. That hardly seems like a liable and thorough argument regarding the "cult" activity in the RLSH community as a whole.
ReplyDeleteWhen referencing a cult the standard and traditional definition of the word cult is actually in reference to a sect or a branch of religious beliefs, or of community beliefs in general. This is speaking in regards to groups that do not believe the same secular ideas that the dominant religions of the world maintain. A perfect example is Christianity as a whole, there are hundreds of religions based around the concept of Christianity. Does that make all of them radical simply because they are a sect or a cult division of that? No, and therein lays the point.
To simply break a definition down into the necessary pieces that you want, makes your argument desperate and pathetic to say the least, and you chose the wrong piece of the definition. If you wanted to make some impact with a statement like that perhaps you should have used its origins in sociology, which are more relevant than the standardized religious viewpoint. You could have approached it more along the lines that if the activities of certain RLSH in their community continue they have the potential to become a cult, or even stating that a cult is a small radical group lacking in organization and emphasizing the private nature of their personal beliefs. Then maybe you would come across as an intelligent "villain", and not just some raving child, again based on personal observation.
Just felt I should chime in.
Well thank you for your input, sad you have to add unneeded personal attacks in it.
ReplyDeleteSince it seems to be an ongoing trend of people to skim a post and bring massive personal views into it I will help!
Let's re-read what I said... I'll wait.. lalalala.....Ok someone emailed me with a question. I really did not have a view point on it. I reposed the question on this blog to see what others thought of this take on the RLSH would be.
Looking up the definition of cult the following were found at dictionary.com
1. a particular system of religious worship, esp. with reference to it's rights and ceremonies.
2. an instance of great veneration of person, ideal or thing, esp. as manifested by a body of admirers: the physical fitness cult
3. the object of such devotion
4. a group or sect bound together by veneration of the same thing, person, ideal, ect.
5. Sociology. a group having sacred ideology and a set of rites centering around their sacred symbols.
6. a religion or sect considered to be false, unorthodox, or extremest, with members often living outside of conventional society under the direction of a charismatic leader
7. the members of such a religion or sect.
8. any system for treating human sickness that originated by a person usually claiming to have sole insight into the nature of disease, and that employs methods regarded as unorthodox or unscientific.
Number 6 looks pretty good here... also 2,3,4,5, and 7 also don't look bad either.
I still have no real opinion on this view point. Don't kill the messenger.. we are not talking about Pokemon here.
the pokemon blog is in regards to the constant degradation of our most impressionable people. Nice attempt though to rile me up.
ReplyDeleteNow onto the subject matter at hand. Unlike you wish to believe, I have read all of your posts, and i read this one especially fervently. I understand what you are trying to get at, but you simply did not execute it in a steady fashion. You did indeed offer an opinion though, as i quote- "I think this one sums it up nicely". That is, unless I am mistaken, an opinion. Even if it isn't your complete opinion, it was enough that you would place validity in the claims from a private email from a friend and post it for the world to see. If I were to post on my page an email from a friend stating that every kid on earth was becoming a zombie nazi, yes a zombie nazi, a zombie who chooses to become a nazi would i post it online asking people if they feel its true? NO, because that is ridiculous. Very little of what i said was actually personal in my original response, most of that was objective, and I do apologize for my personal attacks, they were not intentioned that way, sometimes that is just how I come across. Now don't get me wrong, I do agree, things that the RLSH say and do can appear that they could be classified as a cult, but not in the general sense of their movement. Logging a group of people by that classification puts those that actually do work hard and well in the wrong light. The flaw though is attempting to classify them the same as you would a religion, and anyone that knows religion knows that it is purely insane in so many ways of how they conduct themselves. That is why I brought up the use of the sociology definition as opposed to the religious inclinations the traditional definition gives. 2,4,5 are about the only ones that truly could define actions of some in the rlsh community, and again, some. That is about all I have to offer on the subject. I hope i clarified my post better.
Let me just say, that Master Legend is NOT one of the main RLSH's. He's just the one in the news a lot because he's the most ridiculous, and news outlets like to use him to make fun of the entire community.
ReplyDeleteThat was my point regarding lumping people into one group when some dont even have the same beliefs. Thank you for putting that into a better perspective. He is a colorful individual, but should not be viewed as a leader of this movement as it begins to take the steps towards legitimacy in all its best forms. Others need to take that step.
ReplyDeleteI think I'll go ahead and take a crack at this as well. I'll slow the bus down so all the slooooow capes can keep up...
ReplyDeleteFirstly : "A religion or sect"
While 'sect' is the word I'd normally use, let's take a look at 'religion' for a second time. One could say that there are plenty of ways to define the word "religion", but first let us look at the definition. Skipping the obvious ones of course, here are numbers two and six from the 2010 Random House Dictionary:
re·li·gion /rɪˈlɪdʒən/
–noun
2. a specific fundamental set of beliefs and practices generally agreed upon by a number of persons or sects: the Christian religion; the Buddhist religion.
6. something one believes in and follows devotedly; a point or matter of ethics or conscience: to make a religion of fighting prejudice.
Hmmm... Quite interesting, indeed. Number six speaks for itself pretty well and number two could be said the same about Clown College graduates, but what more are these people, but clowns that don't take off the make-up? Moving on...
"considered to be false, unorthodox, or extremest"
Go up to any random person on the street and ask them what they think about the RLSH community. While I'd imagine most would be able to nod towards their "noble actions", I'd imagine more would find it strange and odd that people are running around in colorful costumes and calling themselves "superheroes". How can this relate to the previously stated words?
False: YOU ARE NOT A SUPERHERO
Unorthodox: RUNNING AROUND IN A COSTUME CALLING YOURSELF SOMETHING FICTIONAL
Extremest: PRACTICING ILLEGAL BEHAVIOR AND JUSTIFYING IT BY A HIGHER CALLING
Loud enough for everyone in the back to hear? Good, let's go to the next part...
"with members often living outside of conventional society"
I honestly can't seem to think of anything to put here because I'm laughing too hard IRL at how unbelievably obvious and factual that one is. Now, on to the last bit...
"under the direction of a charismatic leader."
While it is hard to say who really is the leader of the 'RLSH' community you all know that if "Superhero" or "Zetaman" said something all the little chubby drones would jump to attention. If you want to talk charisma it's defiantly Superhero. If you also want to talk vomiting in the back of your mouth, I just did.
When it all comes down to it there isn't a damn thing the RLSH community can say to change how people are going to see them in their behavior. Throw the word "cult" into the mix and HELLOOOOO bad-PR.
A very well-thought theory, Poop-Knife. This indeed can be considered a great weapon against the capes.
The Always Illin Supervillain,
-Grodd
P.S.: I'm also going to guess "Z" is Zetaman as he continues to save community-sized face by throwing people like Tothian and Master Legend under the bus. It doesn't matter how bad they make you look ones' membership into religion is paid in faith and personal belief, not the agreement of others. Then again, I guess a cult would obviously have the power to say who can and can't be in their secret tree-house club. NO GIRLS ALLOWED!!
Since you do not know who Z is you really have no clue about what is going on with those known as RLSH, and have attempted no research on it at all. Z is someone who is separating themself from the "movement" and remake the entire image behind RLSH, and those that prefer not to even be associated with the term or known for that matter by that abbreviation. You very clearly are attempting to bias an argument that is impossible to pose directly at one section of a larger movement.
ReplyDeleteHere are the issues with your base argument.
1) The RLSH do not have a fundemental system of beliefs, most do not even share a remote belief with others in the online community. There is no doctrine to follow and become infatuated with on their end. If you are suggesting that just because they wear a costume they share beliefs, that is a long stretch of your imagination, or even that they all operate within the law, so by your logic, wouldnt most of america be a cult then?
2)false, unorthodox, or extreme. Ok, Ill give you extreme, and unorthodox, but again there are hundreds if not thousands of things in the world that are unorthodox, but does that make them a cult? And again reitterating the point the RLSH have been saying for years, they do not operate outside the laws, anyone that does is not considered an RLSH, do not make assumptions. And again most level headed individuals in the movement do not refer to themselves as superheroes. That is a factor they have been trying to push for some time.
3)conventional society, ha, listen to that, do you honestly see our society as conventional anymore? There is nothing this country can agree on at all, in any fashion. Plus the idea of convention is a group of ideals and rules that is agreed upon by the populace, again that sounds an awful lot like your description of RLSH definition for a cult. Also the other interpretation for your definition can be related to cults literally separating themselves into societies outside of the "conventional society".
4)There is no leader to the RLSH, they do not have the same beliefs and guidlines so they cannot truly have any kind of leader at this time, anyone that claims to be would be in a figurehead sense at best.
5)The use of the word cult you give is incorrect to the rest of your attempted argument. The definition you threw out so casually is the sociology definition not the standard religious, which is what you were using to base your argument in the first place. and in the dictionary, the term cult in that fashion is not recognized. By the way you contradict yourself from the beginning of your rant to the end. In the start you said and I quote- a specific fundamental set of beliefs and practices generally agreed upon by a number of persons or sects- but then at the end you say, and again, I quote- It doesn't matter how bad they make you look, ones' membership into religion is paid in faith and personal belief, not the agreement of others- which if you did understand the people, you would see that is exactly what they do, so if this is the case, then that would negate your argument entirely. You again refer to it as a religion, which it clearly is not, and you try and pin the people as being mindless zombies, controlled by some larger belief, which if you have spoken to any of them they clearly are not.
If they are all part of the same beliefs already then they would be a cult, but if not, and it should be on their personal beliefs, it isnt a cult. Given the evidence that they have continuously shown they are quite far from a cult as a whole, but again, do not misconstrue the fact that even within the RLSH there are some nutbags still flying around (no pun intended) that could portray a cult, but how is that any different from the few petitioners that break away and cause trouble at a rally? Does that define that group? Think indepth instead of such shallow terms when thinking of these people. Some are so deluded or immature or LARPER's, that you can mess with them to no end, but then there are those that put their hearts and souls into doing the most good they can, and doing the most help they can, and those are the ones you should feel like a lowlife for harassing. Not meaning you in particular, but meant in the sense of speaking to general audience. I tire of this conversation, there is not enough true research that has been done to debate this topic objectively, and without direct personal bias on either side, and the idea that RLSH are a cult absolutely does not have enough argument behind it to debate anymore.
ReplyDeleteHey man, I'm not laying down any definite of saying "they ARE a cult", but I do find interest similarities. From my twisted, evil point of view of course.
ReplyDeleteAs for the "good" superheroes, I commend them for all the great work they do. Like I've said before, it's nothing personal. Just the business of the supervillain to shit on heroes without discrimination.
Hell, I gave a bum money and a hug yesterday. ...Right before I set her on fire and ate the roasted remains, of course. I'm not completely evil. Well... Yeah I am, but I do have my moments.
Feeling Good To Be Bad,
-Grodd
If you're indiscriminately attacking without first researching, then you are a shitty... RLSV, or whatever it is you feel comfortable labeling yourself as.
ReplyDeleteSome are intelligent, and discerning. Poop Knife is one. He gets a lot of shit (ha), but he really is doing the leg work to find out the real skinny, and he's challenging the beliefs of the entire RLSH community through research.
He's actually trying to understand.
I commend him for it, the only way this will ever go anywhere near helping everyone is if it's been completely dissected and everyone has had to explain themselves thoroughly.
The people in the community definitely don't have the same beliefs. In fact, it's often starting fights between them. No one likes being under the same banner.
And as for all of you guys latching onto these "big name" RLSH (pffft hahahaha), this just shows that you are lazy and do no research.
Here's the skinny, how I would like this movement to run:
1. Within the law, but pushing boundaries of it. Never breaking, simply using the law to it's fullest extent. And if you read up, this really does give people a lot of room to work in. As long as we lose the gimmicks, for the most part. They ARE valuable when trying to reach and inspire a larger body of people, but that's another conversation entirely.
2. Erase the deviants and psychos from the community. This means Tothian, Master Legend, Entomo, Shadow Hare, etc.
3. Start the real movement. Call it what you will, but "higher calling" seems a little heavy handed. Trying to be in the right place at the right time to save whatever lives we can (a feat better accomplished through larger numbers) seems more like the ticket to me.
Lastly, Grodd (shameless rip-off that your name is, sorry, but I'm thinking you could have at least looked into Latin, or some other language to make up an original name or persona), I am Z. Not Zetaman.
And when I throw someone under the bus, you better believe that the piece of shit deserves it. Figuratively speaking, of course.
I love how you "heroes" are willing to step on each other and even destroy your own peers just to hold some kind of bullshit false image. It really is the finest in typical "superhero" behavior.
ReplyDeleteAlso, the fascist-esc 'erasing of the deviants' part made my blackened-heart smile. Don't forget to conquer Poland next time you go out on "patrol".
-Grodd
Further more, what have "Tothian, Master Legend, Entomo, Shadow Hare, etc." done to be 'pieces of shit'? You know, besides embarrassing an already embarrassing community.
ReplyDeleteIt's also sad that it's us, THE VILLAINS, telling the heroes how they're fucking up meaning that WE can do better than YOU at your own jobs.
-Grodd
hahaha, but you completely are wrong, the only reason that the villains have to say anything over the rlsh is because the rlsh will not listen to themselves. The reasons that all of those people are pieces of shit is because they continuously embarass the community on their own, they are part of the reason that the community is publicly embarassed all the time by their actions. Plus they have acted highly inappropriate over the past few months for what an rlsh is supposed to be.
ReplyDeleteAgain you offer no worth to this conversation, you are simply adding on to try and bring more fuel to the fire, but your arguments are baseless and hilarious at that. The reason that "heroes" are being thrown under the bus is for that exact reason, because they believe they are heroes, they are continuously pretentious, again some but not all of them, acting as though the world would not survive without them. That is a grave injustice, that is what is wrong with the community. And in case you didnt realize it, Z is trying to get rid of that bull shit false image, that is what makes you naive in this discussion, you know nothing about the community and what they are doing. He and others are trying to break down that image that has been made with the rlsh, and give some legitimate views and actions behind it. You sure do like to twist peoples words Grodd, if only you knew the type of intelligence you are fighting. I think although i do not agree with senor poop knife's theories and such, I have to say he is a much better argument than you are. You should come back with fresh material, freash ideas, and as Z said, a new name, because come on man, gorilla grodd? you couldnt think of a better villain to copy from? no originality at all, none, so sad.
The best thing about being a villain is that I don't have to explain myself to people like you. I can say whatever I want and the justification of being a villain is justification enough. I'm sorry if that's too much for you to grasp, but then again sympathizes of the RLSH have never really seemed that bright.
ReplyDeleteAs for my name, a Grodd by any other name would be just as evil. :)
Living Happily Without Your 'Logical Thinking',
-Grodd
Haha, you are quite naive and immature in your understanding of the world, you seek to justify your existence by defining a word with itself. Bravo again in your lack of articulation. You are right you dont have to explain yourself to me, but if you expect to hold an argument and attempt to get a rise out of people, have something to contribute. And kiddo, your putridly pussillanomous pandering is pathetic, nothing you have said has been out of anyones grasp, because you said nothing intelligent.
ReplyDeleteI am no sympathizer of the rlsh, just of those that are doing true good that are criticized for their actions, that is just pointless and low, which considering you are mimicking an "ape" would make perfect sense, you lack the mental capacity for reason and logic, which is what will prevent you from ever being a true rlsv. You will always be just another side villain that gets lost in the mix of new emo kid rlsv that disappear quickly before they move onto the next fad, only know how to harass, and cannot offer anything truly objective to a conversation. The same sad self-entitlement that is so prevalent today. And regarding your name; although you are a "villain" you are still unoriginal which is obvious in every last one of your posts.
If you wish to at least appear like a worthy adversary, learn more about the subject you are going to be giving your opinion, the mind is a terrible waste of space when you choose to remain ignorant to the world. Grow up a bit, or you are just another henchman left to be thrown under the bus.
Infecting the minds of the ignorant
-Virus
Grodd:
ReplyDeleteSigh. You do not have enough information to put forth an intelligent debate. When you get said information, maybe we can talk.
Til then, I'm sure you'll continue to prove yourself to be an idiot all by yourself. Nothing I even have to do.
Have a good one.
This just in: TEH INTERNETS ARE SERIOUS BIZNIS
ReplyDeleteYour mother must be proud.
ReplyDeletejust because you have no value on anything and you do not understand the truly complex societal machinations in play. But what you have shown through your response is that you are nothing but an infant in the gladiator arena, and no matter what you attempt to throw out there, you will be disregarded like the piece of trash you are, go try and troll under someone elses bridge.
ReplyDeleteGladiator arena? Why do I have the stabbing suspicion that you've never seen a pussy before.
ReplyDeleteLook, kid, this is the internet. Not sure if you realized that. You're bitching for intellectual debate on a blog community based around people with delusional fantasies of living out comic books in the real world and have sometimes extremely fragile grasps on reality. If you're honestly taking this shit THAT seriously then that leaves me to believe you're sitting in some unwashed neon-colored superhero costume as you type your ever so 'holier than thou' replies. Or maybe you're a furry, neither would surprise me.
Point being is that while you seem to be out on some boner-rush for internet credibility (which in reality amounts to absolutely nothing in the real world) I'm having the time of my life treating this like the game it is.
But in the name of being a good sport, I'll let you two have the last word if you choose. Just don't poke yourselves in the eye with your rage-erections. :)
Professional Hater PHD,
-Grodd
P.S.: My mother IS proud. :D
Lol. Because that is the pinnacle of your life, seeing a vagina? You're a sad fucking dude. Grow up, seriously. Anyone who throws around sexual experience has always been a needle-dick.
ReplyDeleteBut, to be honest, I'm having a pretty good time, too. I go to the internet for two reasons, to relax, and to communicate with possible new people operating under similar parameters as me.
With you, it's more like poking a turd with a stick. A turd that can add 2 plus 2, but a turd nonetheless. Still slightly entertaining.
You always seem to think the next thing you say puts you on top, but frankly, that's about the only trick you got. You don't make sense, you don't make me question myself, and you sure as hell don't impress anyone with your witty (and sexually inclined) comments.
You're a straight-up waste. And no matter what you keep saying, you know that. So while your lying in your bed tonight, beating off and thinking about how cool you are and all the vagina you've seen, remember that your life means jack shit because you're doing nothing to change a damn thing.
And that's your road to walk. So any comment you have back is just a piss in the wind. Might as well save it.
Fucking thank you Z, you said that the best way possible. There is nothing that I can even say to reitterate you more.
ReplyDelete