I am agreeing with the God complex thing.
One of the criticisms with comparisons with a cult is the point that there was no charismatic leader.
I think we are now seeing that this is entirely questionable and actually it's starting to emerge just how influential Green was an individual and how others hitched onto the beat of her drum for their own reasons.
I think if we have a public inquiry into this, and we should, this is one of the things that will start to become obvious. How untouchable Green became and how any criticism of her or her ideas was responded to in a way reminiscent of a cult.
Its incredible that she got so far without question.
Here is extracts from the very first 'signs of a cult' we page thats come up on google:
1. The leader is the ultimate authority
If you’re not allowed to criticize your leader, even if the criticism is true, you’re probably in a cult.
Cults begin with a charismatic leader who claims some supreme knowledge. They may call themselves a prophet, messiah, messenger, or an enlightened teacher. They can also be CEOs, military officials, politicians, and self-help gurus.
2. The group suppresses skepticism
If you’re only allowed to study your organization through approved sources, you’re probably in a cult.
Cults view critical thinking as an infectious disease and every effort is made to suppress it. Doubting members are encouraged to isolate themselves from outside influences and focus solely on the doctrine of the cult.
Criticism is forbidden. People who contradict the group are viewed as persecutors and are often given labels like “anti,” “apostate,” or “suppressive person.” Members are discouraged from consuming any material that is critical of the group.
3. The group delegitimizes former members
If you can’t think of a legitimate reason for leaving your group, you’re probably in a cult.
4. The group is paranoid about the outside world
If your group insists the end of the world is near, you’re probably in a cult.
Cults position themselves as the sole refuge from an evil outside world that is intent on their destruction. Cults thrive on conspiracy theories, catastrophic thinking, and persecution complexes.
5. The group relies on shame cycles
If you need your group in order to feel worthy, loved, or sufficient, you’re probably in a cult.
Cult leaders trap members in shame cycles by imposing abnormally strict codes of conduct (usually prescriptions about diet, appearance, sex, relationships, media), guilting members for their shortcomings, and then positioning themselves as the unique remedy to the feelings of guilt which they themselves created.
6. The leader is above the law
If you’re held to a different moral standard, specifically in regard to sex, you’re probably in a cult.
A prevalent idea among cult leaders is that they are above the law, be it human or divine. This idea allows them to exploit their followers economically and sexually without repercussions.
When confronted, they do not confess, but create justifications for their impropriety. Sexual grooming of members is common. Loyal cult members will perform any amount of “mental gymnastics” to justify or ignore the leader’s behavior.
7. The group uses “thought reform” methods
If your serious questions are answered with cliches, you’re probably in a cult.
Indoctrination or “brainwashing” is the process through which a cult slowly breaks down a person’s sense of identity and ability to think rationally. Behaviors like excessive fasting, prayer, hypnosis, scripture reading, chanting, meditation, or drug usage can all be used to increase a person’s vulnerability to the leader’s suggestions.
The hallmark of indoctrination is the use of thought-terminating cliches. Platitudes like “follow the leader” or “doubt your doubts” are regurgitated over and over so that members don’t have to critically analyze complex issues.
8. The group is elitist
If your group is the solution for all the world’s problems, you’re probably in a cult.
Cults see themselves as the enlightened, chosen, and elect organization tasked with radically transforming individual lives and the entire world.
This elitism creates greater sense of group unity and responsibility centered on a united purpose. However, this sense of responsibility is often manipulated by cult leaders who coerce members into risky financial behavior, sexual favors, free manual labor, or heightened recruitment efforts in order to “further the cause.”
9. There is no financial transparency
If you’re not allowed to know what the group does with their money, you’re probably in a cult.
A group that refuses to disclose its finances is a huge red flag. Ethical organizations have nothing to hide. Cult leaders tend to live opulently while their followers are required to make financial sacrifices. Members are often encouraged to pay their offerings even if it means putting their families at risk.
10. The group performs secret rites
If there are secret teachings or ceremonies you didn’t discover until after you joined, you’re probably in a cult.
Cults use secret rituals as rites of passage that solidify a member’s loyalty to the group. Initiation into these rites usually only comes after a member has undergone certain tests or made adequate financial contributions.
Often, cult initiations are confusing, bizarre, or even offensive. This mental dissonance between their sense of confusion and their loyalty to the “inner circle” convinces the initiate to double their efforts in order to properly appreciate the proceedings. This only further entrenches them in a shame cycle, making them even more susceptible to manipulation.
Now when these type of comparisons were first suggested about Mermaids a few years back, I couldn't find examples that would fit 3 or 4 of these classic 10 signs of a cult.
Fast forward to 2022 and the scandals and departure of Green and I think there's a full house in there which is fairly easily evidenced.
Theres been a gradual escalation to this point and tbh I think its pretty much the only thing that rationally explains the madness that is the LGB Alliance litigation.
I do think the bubble has burst somewhat on these now, though I do think it will be extremely interesting to see where Green pops up next.
As I've always said the antidote to Mermaids like cults has always been the encouragement of critical thought and getting people to ask their own questions rather than telling them what to think. Once the bubbles starts to burst in power structures that enabled a cult there is no real way back from it. You get splinter groups and a small continuation from those unable to deprogramme but the power tends to disperse.
Now its highly possible that this post will be deleted. However I think that will only serve to illustrate the point and the untouchable status of Mermaids and how it avoided the criticism it needed to prevent the harms it has created. Accountability MUST be possible in situations like this.
Whats incredibly frightening is how much longer this would have dragged on with the existence of MN. I think there still would have been resistance but it would have manifested through different avenues which may have been less pleasant.
We do now need to start to frame what has happened in the correct way as it's important to identify what has gone wrong and why so many safeguarding fails happened before Green was forced to leave. There has been a catastrophic series of events that have come together to create this scenario. ITV's cannonisation of Green looks particularly dreadful at this stage too.