The Need to Belong

The programming of the National Geographic channel showed stories about cults. Cults are such a tragic thing. People who need to find 'something' are often find what they are looking for but unfortunately, they find their way into a cult. The most dangerous cults are those with apocalyptic ideology tempered with a profound belief. Most will remember the Heaven's Gate cult where 41 people committed suicide to ride the ship hid by Comet Hale-Bopp. Groups like Heaven's Gate are primarily dangerous to their own membership. However, the terrorist cult Aum Shinrikyo pose a threat to society as a whole. The most tragic cult account was that in Jonestown, Guiana where over 500 people committed suicide or were murdered.

Then, you have groups like Strong City in New Mexico do not seem to have an outwardly threatening demeanor. However, some of the conduct that has been reported about the group suggests that the groups is a danger to female minors by sexual exploitation. So, there is still a danger. There are reports of other groups, like the polygamist faction of the Latter-Day Saints church where a patriarch controls the lives of 25 or more wives. There have been reports of threatened murder on wives who try to leave. Neither of the aforementioned cults show an apocalyptic bend, but there is the question of human rights violations.

I suppose it is possible that we all belong to a cult of some making or another. To be fair, and somewhat off hand, people who have a fanatical exhibition for any topic are displaying cult-like behavior. Yes, Trekkies/Trekkers, I'm taking about you (and me). Granted, that is generally benign and rarely causes the death of some one. Can fan-based cults cause general harm? It is possible. A local Trek fan club can go fanatical and try to force the creation of the Federation. I know, it's not likely to happen. And, we honestly shouldn't worry (unless they invent a REAL phaser).

It is truly terrible that the need to belong must be filled by cults. Naturally, there is a greater threat to society by other groups of people with the need to belong. Gangs and terrorist organizations have the larger numbers and will to use force to meet their needs. We, as a species, need to find better alternatives.