Is transgenderism a cult?

[Macareaux]

I normally give anything that might have a hint of a conspiracy theory about it a wide berth.

So I'm wondering what others think of this essay by Jenn Smith, who is (by his own definition) a trans identified male.

I find many of the arguments compelling and the only area where I might part company is in the suggestion that for people like Trudeau this is some part of a bigger plan. I think Trudeau is just painfully woke.

transanityca.wordpress.com/2017/08/13/synanon-the-brainwashing-game-and-modern-transgender-activism-the-orwellian-implications-of-transgender-politics-by-jenn-smith/amp/?__twitter_impression=true

That one works along similar lines to people who police their own swearing because they think it makes them look coarse or common - its a form of mind control, and it limits free thinking and freedom of emotional response.
People who join cults are so busy calculating whether a thing goes against the rules that they lose their spontaneity, and their sense of humour and good will.

think someone (on the TRA side) has been very clever keeping the debate on bathrooms and changing rooms

1. it resonates with the bathroom ban so liberals (without knowing the issues) will be automatically in favour of self -identity and be unable to see the issues

2. In many cases most people don't use a bathroom or a changing room where it is an issue -most places where people go for a wee are gender/sex neutral. Thus hard for people to get their heads round the small number of cases where it is a problem

3. Issues surrounding other spaces - refuges, AWS etc lend themselves far more to the GC side so undermine their case

So my advice is move the debate on from bathrooms

Yes, it's a cult.

As AuntMsVanillaRose is demonstrating by having nothing other than special vocabulary and mantras to offer. Nothing in the way of concrete analysis of the structure of the Followers of Genderism and how this structure does not relate to cult structure.

C'mon, Aunt - analyse the political movement for us and show us that it does not have any cult hallmarks. I'm all ears.

and @AuntMsVanillaRose your post at 10:19 is just more of the same

how does RTB's post prove there is no cult?

back up your statements

otherwise i will be forced to conclude you're just someone whose opinions have no basis in fact

One Follower of Genderism suggested on another thread that the basis for the ideology can be found in Hollywood sci-fi body swap movies. That has a lot of parallels with Scientology and their belief system.

Thanks for proving that there is no trans cult.

Red posted it for the opposite reasons actually.

Also, it's the anti-trans people who are suggesting that nazis weren't the bad guys. So - bleuuuch.

Godwin's Law ... already? The night is still so very young.
Hint: You played your hand way too soon. Troll harder.

That’s interesting crow - I hadn’t thought about that - it’s cognitive loading.

It certainly has many aspects of cultivation behaviour. Along with aspects of authoritarian behaviour as well.

DH has a theory that a proportion of humans are just unable to process the uncertainties of life and actively seek out authoritarian/cultic/repressive religious/lifestyle groups in order to be given structure and basically to be told how to live. It’s fairly depressing as a thought but I can see it has merit.
People seem to need to belong to a group that adheres to rules

DH has a theory that a proportion of humans are just unable to process the uncertainties of life and actively seek out authoritarian/cultic/repressive religious/lifestyle groups in order to be given structure and basically to be told how to live.

I think it has merit. Some are just 'seekers of belonging' and go from one cult-like thing to another.

the basis for the ideology can be found in Hollywood sci-fi body swap movies

They were both around/started about the same time, the early-mid 90s.
To clarify for those not familiar, prior to 'transgenderism' was only ever 'transsexualism' (and drag queens and cross dressers).

I'm not stating conspiracy theory, but if the tinfoil hat fits... (LOL)

I agree with others that although some of the behaviours involved in the gender identity ideology are cult-like but there's no cult as such.

I think we are suffering from a really unfortunate synergy sums it up for me. A number of different interest groups have latched on to this for different reasons with the common goal of obtaining power and influence. Which in some cases might be on a very small scale of a person just being able to manipulate those they're in contact with, for example see the trans widows thread.

Thanks for the clicky link

Shall I see if Jenn Smith wants to come on here and debate this idea?

Grassroots webchat so to speak.

upstart
That one works along similar lines to people who police their own swearing because they think it makes them look coarse or common - its a form of mind control, and it limits free thinking and freedom of emotional response.
what absolute tosh.

AuntMsVanillaRose

Did you ever consider:

Just letting people be themselves?

Yes. If you have read any threads here, you will see that that is exactly what most people here are advocating.

Letting people be themselves requires neither labelling nor conforming to gender stereotypes.

Meh, I don't really have enough contact with transactivists to know whether they display those qualities or not.

I know a good number of them are true of the MN Feminism boards though. Not enough that I'd call it a cult, but so many that I'm surprised you guys hadn't noticed when posting those lists.

Seriously, the mirror is a useful tool.

Oh my god, the more posts that appear on this thread the more the irony ramps up.

Yes in my opinion, plenty of narcissists and many an echo wasting their lives.

I know a good number of them are true of the MN Feminism boards though.

Any of them in particular, Rat? I'm always up for a bit of self-analysis.

I knew the comment of a mirror would come up.

You might want to read the link about the difference between 'safe' and 'unsafe' groups in reference to that and have a think.

Not a cult per se in that I doubt there’s a central hub.

Definitely cultic behaviour in many of the aspects of it. Mantras, nodebate, mobbing of dissenters.

Having said that you see this kind of behaviour everywhere you look (having once suggested to a devoted baby led weaned that squishing up a bit of carrot was probably totally fine and reaping the whirlwind in response... )

It baffles me how people need these restrictive structures in parenting - I know SO many people who are devotees of ‘methods’ and think that just muddling through and considering what you think is best in your individual circumstances is somehow terribly neglectful.

See also: clean eating etc.

I think it is a cult - follow the money trail - then you'll find the psychopaths
using the ideology of Identity to try and explain the complexity of life

I disagree that some go looking for belonging - that downplays the insidious recruitment t tactics used - it's victim blaming

I'm loving the implication that 82% of the population is the cult, not the 18%. Cool story!

There are cults in the workplace, friendship groups, voluntary organisations, on Mumsnet, everywhere you find more than one person. Some are more benign than others.

I disagree that some go looking for belonging - that downplays the insidious recruitment t tactics used - it's victim blaming

Yeah I think there’s truth in that. I certainly don’t mean to suggest anyone is asking for it, I probably worded my post badly. I think people who have that mindset are vulnerable to exploitation in this way.

Point totally noted, and apology issued - you’re right.

The leadership one is the most contenious.
But yes, the money and the celebrities.

There are cults in the workplace, friendship groups, voluntary organisations, on Mumsnet, everywhere you find more than one person. Some are more benign than others.

Hmm... no.

Those are cliques. Not cults.

BIG difference.