People Share Their Views On Controversial "Cult-Like" Organizations In Modern Society

In the wild world of the internet, there are 26 modern phenomena that look like cults, at least according to this online crew.

Damjan

• Published in Interesting
• November 10, 2023

In our daily conversations, the words "cult" and "iconic" are frequently thrown around when discussing celebrities, movies, TV shows, sports teams, brands, or hobbies. However, the viral AskReddit thread recently raised a thought-provoking question:

Do these labels truly reflect the essence of what they describe, or have they become casual terms woven intricately into our language without genuine consideration? Fandoms often exhibit cult-like devotion to movies, TV shows, and books.

Fans dress as their favorite characters and attend conventions, showcasing the fine line between admiration and cult-like behavior. Sports team loyalty is legendary, with fans painting their faces and engaging in rituals.

While not cults, these strong bonds illustrate how shared passion can unite people. Brand loyalty can resemble a form of devotion.

Some individuals exclusively wear one designer's clothing, use a specific smartphone brand, or swear by a particular coffee. While not cults, brand allegiances profoundly impact our lives.

Celebrities, too, are often labeled as "icons." Yet, they're human with flaws. Celebrity idolization can border on the cult-like, with fans fiercely defending them.

Hobbies and subcultures can seem cult-like to outsiders. Gaming communities and niche hobbies create their jargon, rituals, and hierarchies, appearing enigmatic to those outside the circle.

Our liberal use of "cult" and "iconic" warrants reflection, so let's look at some.

1. The folks who are all about that 'toxic masculinity' vibe, you know, the ones who think being a jerk to women somehow transforms them into alpha males. Hey there, being rude to the ladies doesn't make you a top dog, it just makes you a top dunce!

2. Admirers of Andrew Tate

3. Elon Musk's die-hard enthusiasts, hang on to his every word like it's prime rib at a vegetarian convention.

4. Fox News

5. Mormons

6. Flat Earthers

7. Political parties

8. Homeowners Association

9. Church of Christ from the Philippines

The Iglesia ni Cristo is like that one friend who says they're just coming over to hang out but then rearranges your furniture, raids your fridge, and leaves you with a bill for the pizza they ordered. They claim to be a religion, but it sometimes feels more like a cult with their surprise home visits, financial interrogations (seriously, they want to know how much you're making), and the audacity to tell you who to vote for during elections. It's a whole "big yikes" situation!

10. Apple aficionados

11. Sororities and the whole Greek life

12. The worshipers of the productivity gods!

It's great that folks are on top of their time management game and are supercharged with motivation. But seriously, when every other person is shouting, "You must rise at the ungodly hour of 4 AM because that's what the champions do," it makes you wonder if they're just sleep-deprived superheroes or if there's actually a purpose to this madness.

Wouldn't it be more sensible to emphasize the importance of a solid night's sleep instead of joining the "Crack-of-Dawn Club"? After all, beauty sleep is a real thing, and I'm all in for that!

13. Disney

14. Peloton, the magical stationary unicorn of fitness contraptions!

15. "lululemon. i worked there and we had “regulars” that would come in each week for new stuff. the employee culture is weird too "

16. People who've surrendered to the undeniable allure of Jeeps.

17. Weight Watchers

18. The devoted followers of Taylor Swift

19. Competitive dance.

20. High school theater departments

21. The United States Marine Corps

22. Folks who bow down to the almighty MrBeast!

23. The band THE CULT

24. Texas A&M

25. Academia

26. Horse riding groups

We often use the words "cult" and "iconic" without really thinking about what they mean. They've become a regular part of our conversations.

But we need to be careful with these words. "Cult" should be reserved for groups that use manipulation and harm people. Using it for harmless fan groups or brand loyalty isn't right.

And "iconic" should only be used for things or people that have had a big impact on our culture. Using it too casually takes away its special meaning.

In a world where we exaggerate a lot, let's use these words more carefully. It's about using language that really fits the situation and helps us understand the world better.

Damjan