Religion & Spirituality - 20 August 2006

Glibness/Superficial Charm
Language can be used without effort by them to confuse and convince their audience. Captivating storytellers that exude self-confidence, they can spin a web that intrigues others. Since they are persuasive, they have the capacity to destroy their critics verbally or emotionally.



Manipulative and Conning
They never recognize the rights of others and see their self-serving behaviors permissible. They appear to be charming, yet are covertly hostile and domineering, seeing their victim as merely an instrument to be used. They dominate and humiliate their victims.



Grandiose Sense of Self
Feels entitled to certain things as "their right." Craves adulation and attendance. Must be the center of attention with their own fantasies as the "spokesman for God," "enlightened," "leader of humankind," etc. Creates an us-versus-them mentality



Pathological Lying
Has no problem lying coolly and easily and it is almost impossible for them to be truthful on a consistent basis. Can create, and get caught up in, a complex belief about their own powers and abilities. Extremely convincing and able to pass lie detector tests.



Lack of Remorse, Shame or Guilt
A deep seated rage, which is split off and repressed, is at their core. Does not see others around them as people, but only as targets and opportunities. Instead of friends, they have victims and accomplices who end up as victims. The end always justifies the means and they let nothing stand in their way.



Shallow Emotions
When they show what seems to be warmth, joy, love and compassion, it is more feigned than experienced and serves an ulterior motive. Outraged by insignificant matters, yet remaining unmoved and cold by what would upset a normal person. Since they are not genuine, neither are their promises.



Incapacity for Love
While they talk about "God's love" they are unable to give or receive it. Since they do not believe in the genuineness of their followers' love, they are very harsh in testing it from their devotees and expect them to feel guilt for their failings. Expects unconditional surrender.



Need for Stimulation
Living on the edge, yet testing the beliefs of their followers with bizarre rules, punishments and behaviors. Verbal outbursts and physical punishments are normal.



Callousness/Lack of Empathy
Unable to empathize with the pain of their victims, having only contempt for others' feelings of distress and readily taking advantage of them. Their skills are used to exploit, abuse and exert power. Since the follower cannot believe their leader would callously hurt them, they rationalize the behavior as necessary for their (or the group's) own "good" and deny the abuse. When devotees become aware of the exploitation it feels like a "spiritual rape" to them.



Poor Behavioral Controls/Impulsive Nature
Rage and abuse, alternating with small expressions of love and approval produce an addictive cycle for abuser and abused, as well as creating hopelessness in the victim. Believe they are all-powerful, all-knowing, entitled to every wish, no sense of personal boundaries, no concern for their impact on others. The followers only see them as near perfect.



Early Behavior Problems/Juvenile Delinquency
Usually has a history of behavioral and academic difficulties, yet "gets by" by conning others. Problems in making and keeping friends; aberrant behaviors such as cruelty to people or animals, stealing, etc.



Irresponsibility/Unreliability
Not concerned about wrecking others' lives and dreams. Oblivious or indifferent to the devastation they cause. Does not accept blame themselves, but blame their followers or others outside their group. Blame reinforces passivity and obedience and produces guilt, shame, terror and conformity in the followers.



Promiscuous Sexual Behavior/Infidelity
Totalist leaders frequently practice promiscuity, child sexual abuse, rape and sexual acting out of all sorts. This is usually kept hidden from all but the inner circle. Stringent sexual control of their followers, such as forced breakups and divorces, removal of children from parents, rules for dating, etc.



Lack of Realistic Life Plan/Parasitic Lifestyle
Tends to move around a lot or makes all encompassing promises for the future. Many groups claim as their goal world-domination or other utopian promises. Great contrast between the leader's opulent lifestyle and the followers' impoverishment. Support by gifts and donations from the followers who are pressured to give through fear and guilt. Highly sensitive to their own pain and health.



Criminal or Entrepreneurial Versatility
Changes their image and that of the group as needed to avoid prosecution and to increase income and to recruit a range of members. Is able to adapt or relocate as needed to preserve the group. Can resurface later with a new name, a new front group and a new twist on the scam.

2006-08-20 11:45:33 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous

I'm cooking this fish, and I'm having troubles finding out! Please answer correctly and truthfully.

2006-08-20 11:44:47 · 23 answers · asked by tulwar234 2

NOTHING

You already told her twice!!!

2006-08-20 11:43:09 · 7 answers · asked by smokie s 1

arrogant basterds and zelots say that everyone that isn't white and christian worship satan why is that?

2006-08-20 11:42:56 · 30 answers · asked by Enthusiast 3

god harms humans. In the old testament he drowned men women and children - he also killed the fist born in egypt.

could all this killing be described as christian behaviour?

2006-08-20 11:42:49 · 21 answers · asked by aurora03uk 1

and the bible has been rewritten a thousand different times. over a couple thousand years the bible has been written and written again. do you not believe that all of the facts that once made up the bible have been twisted and contorted so many times that it is no longer credible. so why are there so many people who want to see others go to hell?

2006-08-20 11:41:35 · 7 answers · asked by rpm53 3

2006-08-20 11:41:35 · 35 answers · asked by Anonymous

2006-08-20 11:40:07 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous

some people say that we will not be in his house but in other world.

2006-08-20 11:39:40 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous

but doesnt is also say not to eat shrimp...somewhere in lieviticus



why do i have to live by your standard of rules ?

2006-08-20 11:38:51 · 27 answers · asked by Anonymous

used up their 72 virgins in the afterlife? Do they get 72 more or do they just sit up on a cloud and twiddle their thumbs?

2006-08-20 11:38:25 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous

For me, that is part of it, but it is more than that too. You have to stop doing the thing that is a sin, feel genuine sorrow for the sin, make restitution if possible, and ask for forgiveness. Repentance is certainly a process, but it's not a simple one.
What is involved in repenting of your sins, as you see it?

2006-08-20 11:37:22 · 12 answers · asked by Tonya in TX - Duck 6

How can I get my husband who says he lost his faith to regain it? We have have a real rough time in our lives for about the past 2 years straight, we ended up loseing our house, our jobs and our car.... Now slowly.... ever so slowly things are trying to look up, and I want us to start going to church to regain ourselves, but my husband wont. He says a real God would never allow all that has happened to us happen.. How can I help his understand the truth????

2006-08-20 11:34:25 · 30 answers · asked by Anonymous

2006-08-20 11:32:36 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous

Muslim men receive 72 vergins.

2006-08-20 11:30:00 · 18 answers · asked by marygracieab 1

I just can't seem to tell people no when they ask for volunteers.
While at a local function, a church member asked me if I would take nursery duty for 3 times this year....I said yes. I got the flyer and they put me down for aug 20, Dec 24 and April.

I had my first round this morning, and had to take my twin 8 year olds with me because I couldn't leave them. It was a nightmare!

The worst part is that they had so much "fun" playing with the babies, that they want to keep going back and not go to church!

I really don't want to give up our Christmas vacation for this, and don't really want to trade anyone a day.

How can I get out of this gracefully without hurting anyone's feelings?

2006-08-20 11:28:35 · 12 answers · asked by coachls 4

everytime i open that drawer i gotta see that garbage in there? those losers are so desperate that they need converts so they leave there garbage in every room. What losers.

2006-08-20 11:28:14 · 31 answers · asked by Anonymous

You know, for the whole 'son of god' thing ?
coz personally, I believed David more,,

2006-08-20 11:25:51 · 16 answers · asked by India 55 5

Okay...so in the last couple of days I have read more than one mention that xtians are comparable to the Borg. I totally agree. So just for fun....what comparisons between the 2 can you make? or quips? etc.?

Mine are - "What would Locutus do?" and "Have you been BORG-again?"

2006-08-20 11:25:39 · 6 answers · asked by Medusa 5

2006-08-20 11:24:20 · 14 answers · asked by Anonymous

2006-08-20 11:22:35 · 3 answers · asked by COG 1

Shouldn't there be scores of caring , giving and loving Christ Cultists lined up giving these people a chance at life?

Where are you? It seems thats its easy to rant and rave about the sanctity of life, but when it comes to actually doing something selfless and pure you fail to deliver.

Jesus gave himself to save us...why aren't you lined up to give a small part of yourself to save a fellow human being? Someones Father , mother or child is dieing because you are not helping.

If this was truly a Christian nation, wouldn't there be zero demand for these life saving organs? Wouldn't there be no waiting lists? Wouldn't there be no chance of someone dieing waiting for a donor?

2006-08-20 11:22:10 · 23 answers · asked by Anonymous

Yikes!

2006-08-20 11:19:28 · 15 answers · asked by Corey 4

This question has come up for me as an answer someone gave elsewhere. They said 'Jesus and Mohammed were hardly on the same side'.
Obviously, in a historical context they lived at different times so 'same side' probably doesn't really apply. All the same the previous answer was almost suggesting like they were enemies. I just don't see that.
So are they on the same side?
Please explain your answer.

2006-08-20 11:18:55 · 42 answers · asked by Sean R 3

2006-08-20 11:18:19 · 15 answers · asked by zorro 2

They should not do silly things like this that is wrong rather than saying dont eat Pork!

2006-08-20 11:16:17 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous

i forgot how they called sign like that but im talking bithday signs

2006-08-20 11:15:54 · 7 answers · asked by jova30006 2

hey friends if u in a cult or not saved u canbe saved .can u saty tht you are certain you are going to heaven when you die ? and as it is appointed ubnto men once to die , but after this the judgement hebrews 9-27 all men have an appointment witrh mr death. after death all will have to stand before god and be judged can u see your self as a sinner ? for all have sinned come short of the glory of god romans 3-23. can yiou see that jesus christ died for your sins ? but god commendeth his love toward us , in that while we were yet sinners christ died for us romans 5:8
for whosever was not found written in the book of life ws cast into the lake of fire revelation 20-15 . for whosever shall call upon the name of the lord shall shallbe saved .romans 10-13 luke 13-3 i tell you nay but except ye repent ,ye shall all likewise perish luke 13-3 turn to jesus today jesus loves u satan hates u wants u to burn in hell ask jesus come in your heart forgive u of your sins and he forgive u and he will

2006-08-20 11:15:32 · 22 answers · asked by Rodney C 1

2006-08-20 11:14:57 · 33 answers · asked by Mr.J 2

Simply because you jumped to conclusions. You thought with your head and not facts.

47 Christians condemned her.

Anybody that knows the real angeltress, knows she would not say this. Did you check the profile? No. Many of you condemned her and sent her to hell itself.

Gezzzzzzzzzz.

You won't be the one judging on judgment day, will you? Please tell me no. Give me hope.

2006-08-20 11:14:10 · 16 answers · asked by Anonymous