Originally posted by toneart
Many people make blanket statements in judgment regarding different lifestyles or cultures. Again, many of them are not qualified to know because they
have never had the experience that conjures their unfounded fear.
However.................Doc's Mom does have a basis for her fear. She lost her daughter for a critical period in her still formative years. I respect
anyone's opinions based on experience. Her's is a valid opinion!
The circumstances were not made clear in her post and that is probably intentional. It is none of our business. But since she did post in reaction to
The Rainbow Gathering, I would like to comment.
I am not defending The Rainbow Gathering, but I am not condemning them either. I don't believe that a "hippy gathering" is necessarily a cult. It is a
culture that one can have fun in and then return to the real world; school, work, family.
Perhaps, a young person who is seeking truth from sources other than the traditional; parents, ministers, school teachers, can by chance encounter a
cult leader. Often drugs can color a person's judgment, but then, drugs may not have been a factor. It is likely though.
Cult leaders are usually frauds. They don't always start out with that intention. Often they start with a belief system based around religion.
The leader usually sees himself (most are male), as righteous and good. They are always charismatic. They are very convincing and cunning. In time,
they become corrupted by their own growing sense of power. They are pathological liars. This power is validated, in his mind, because he has no
trouble finding impressionable followers. The leader discovers that followers will give up anything to him because they believe in him as a Spiritual
leader. The cult leader eventually feels he is God or some perverted equivalent. People are all too willing to turn over material goods, sometimes
wealth if they have it, and sex. This transition within the seeker occurs incrementally, until they are totally vulnerable to exploitation without
reservation.
During the 1980s Bhagwan Sri Rajneesh was one such cult leader. Another famous one was The Reverand Jim Jones. We all know where he led his followers.
The stability of ones mind and a solid sense of who he/she is would determine how susceptible they are to corruption, in any environment. Chances are,
most people can venture in and out of "hippy gatherings" without getting lost. A young teenager just out of high school would certainly be more
vulnerable though, because they haven't fully formed their own self identities or belief systems. Sure, they think they have, but not really. There is
often a struggle to rebel against parental guidance.
It is always a tough choice for parents to make: The more oppressive the parent, the more the kids rebel. The more liberal the parent, the more room
for a child to get lost.
I believe that a parent must make it their business to know where their kids are, and who they are. If the parent has an open mind and good
relationship with their child, the child can be trusted to explore and come back. Not always! But usually. It depends on the individual child, the
parents and how loving is their relationship. If the child is unstable, the signs will be present.
There are so many choices and each person is unique; a product of their experience. Otherwise, don't judge. Your uninformed judgments hold no
validity; just unqualified prejudices.
It is important to make informed decisions about a particular lifestyle. One doesn't have to physically place themselves in an alternative (even if
temporary) lifestyle or gathering. You can inquire, read, talk to people who have, learn the pros and cons and then judge for yourself...and
no one else, except for your child for whom you are responsible.
I am happy Doc's Mom's daughter is back on track. That reflects well on the whole family.
Peace |
lenty of tatoos,
and all sorts of body piercings. Some good didgeridoo sounds, no bras, lot's of dreads, etc. Soap, might need some? Guess they're just keeping the
"Hippie" tradition alive and well.
I guess Cap Mike summed it
up, who the hell is Rainvo Gaderin?"