My name is Martin. I am a cult leader.
I did not begin as a leader. Instead, I was born into a family that has belonged to this cult for centuries. Over my lifetime, I chose a career that primarily serves the cult. The other job I thought about doing when I grew up was to be a high school history teacher. I always imagined myself enjoying that, too. If I had I chosen to work outside the cult, my family and cult would have been just as supportive.
The cult I belong to is pretty low key. Patience, public service, consistency, and dialogue are important values for my cult, even if we’re not always great at living up to these modest ideals. We teach that the world needs people who care enough to do a good job at whatever they find themselves doing. Everyone contributes to the common good in their own way.
I appreciate the basic freedom my cult extends when it comes to who I am as a person. Within reasonable boundaries, I am encouraged to develop as an individual. The cult believes that strong individuals help keep the community healthy and--vice versa--healthy communities tend to raise strong individuals. In my case, I've enjoyed the process of becoming the person I am today. I've experienced many of the blessings that come with cult life. I've met people from around the country and around the world. I've seen the healthy challenges that come when people take time to get to know each other more than just on the surface.
Many of my best friends belong to the same cult, but not all of them. Other friends belong to related sects or different cults entirely. While I sometimes might get a bit envious of the fancier buildings, cooler spiritual practices, or wider popularity of some of those other groups, I remember that my particular cult has good things to offer, too. We care about deepening the connection between the deity and us. We think about things like the meaning of life and goodness. We focus on fundamental cultic values like prayer, community, pondering our sacred scriptures, and finding ways for people to give and receive a love that lasts.
Some of my friends don't belong to any cult at all. I've considered the advantages of that, too. I can see lots of wisdom in claiming a general skepticism about cults of all forms. Plenty of cults really look bonkers to me. My cult does a pretty good job of undermining its own best features, as well. Then I ask myself: am I just the kind of person who's naturally drawn to cults? Maybe the whole thing really is make-believe. But then there are those time when the beauty of the world as the cult shows it to me shines through. Mystical union, and whatnot. Even the more boring parts of my cult often strike me as humbly inspiring and beautiful in their own ways. So while I admit that I can't verify the basic truth of my cult, I've seen enough to keep me on the journey.
As I mentioned earlier, I have a position of some leadership in the group. But here’s a funny thing: if I wanted to lead too much or derived too much self-worth from my cultic status, the others might start to worry about me. It might even make me unfit for leadership. Overall, though, I thank the deity that I find the work meaningful, have chances to contribute as I am able, and am encouraged to have a full life outside the cult.
In addition to being been born into this cult and now working in it, I share the first name of an important figure in the cult’s history. This earlier Martin did not found the cult but he was instrumental in giving our sect its unique flavor. Half a millennium ago, he tried to reform the existing cult but found that its leaders were not terribly interested in his suggestions. Though it was socially, politically and personally perilous to stick with Martin and his friends’ cultic reform principles, our little sect managed to hang around. We've had some high points: J.S. Bach and a handful of Nobel Peace Prize winners have belonged to the cult. Other times, though, members of my cult have been as idiotic as anyone. Being in a cult is not an immunization against stupidity, bigotry, or bad choices. But it is like going for a regular check-up.
When we make mistakes, we are asked to trust that the pain and embarrassment of apologizing will not crush our spirits. Instead, spending time revisiting our mistakes can lead to good things like reconciliation, improved relationships, and maybe even some new awareness and wisdom. "I die every day!" is one of our favorite cultic scripture verses.
In conclusion, I have had a rich experiences in my cult. Were one interested in learning more about this from me, I would be willing to share. Were one were not so inclined, I hope and trust that the deity will bless you with good things anyways. Peace.
I did not begin as a leader. Instead, I was born into a family that has belonged to this cult for centuries. Over my lifetime, I chose a career that primarily serves the cult. The other job I thought about doing when I grew up was to be a high school history teacher. I always imagined myself enjoying that, too. If I had I chosen to work outside the cult, my family and cult would have been just as supportive.
The cult I belong to is pretty low key. Patience, public service, consistency, and dialogue are important values for my cult, even if we’re not always great at living up to these modest ideals. We teach that the world needs people who care enough to do a good job at whatever they find themselves doing. Everyone contributes to the common good in their own way.
I appreciate the basic freedom my cult extends when it comes to who I am as a person. Within reasonable boundaries, I am encouraged to develop as an individual. The cult believes that strong individuals help keep the community healthy and--vice versa--healthy communities tend to raise strong individuals. In my case, I've enjoyed the process of becoming the person I am today. I've experienced many of the blessings that come with cult life. I've met people from around the country and around the world. I've seen the healthy challenges that come when people take time to get to know each other more than just on the surface.
Many of my best friends belong to the same cult, but not all of them. Other friends belong to related sects or different cults entirely. While I sometimes might get a bit envious of the fancier buildings, cooler spiritual practices, or wider popularity of some of those other groups, I remember that my particular cult has good things to offer, too. We care about deepening the connection between the deity and us. We think about things like the meaning of life and goodness. We focus on fundamental cultic values like prayer, community, pondering our sacred scriptures, and finding ways for people to give and receive a love that lasts.
Some of my friends don't belong to any cult at all. I've considered the advantages of that, too. I can see lots of wisdom in claiming a general skepticism about cults of all forms. Plenty of cults really look bonkers to me. My cult does a pretty good job of undermining its own best features, as well. Then I ask myself: am I just the kind of person who's naturally drawn to cults? Maybe the whole thing really is make-believe. But then there are those time when the beauty of the world as the cult shows it to me shines through. Mystical union, and whatnot. Even the more boring parts of my cult often strike me as humbly inspiring and beautiful in their own ways. So while I admit that I can't verify the basic truth of my cult, I've seen enough to keep me on the journey.
As I mentioned earlier, I have a position of some leadership in the group. But here’s a funny thing: if I wanted to lead too much or derived too much self-worth from my cultic status, the others might start to worry about me. It might even make me unfit for leadership. Overall, though, I thank the deity that I find the work meaningful, have chances to contribute as I am able, and am encouraged to have a full life outside the cult.
In addition to being been born into this cult and now working in it, I share the first name of an important figure in the cult’s history. This earlier Martin did not found the cult but he was instrumental in giving our sect its unique flavor. Half a millennium ago, he tried to reform the existing cult but found that its leaders were not terribly interested in his suggestions. Though it was socially, politically and personally perilous to stick with Martin and his friends’ cultic reform principles, our little sect managed to hang around. We've had some high points: J.S. Bach and a handful of Nobel Peace Prize winners have belonged to the cult. Other times, though, members of my cult have been as idiotic as anyone. Being in a cult is not an immunization against stupidity, bigotry, or bad choices. But it is like going for a regular check-up.
When we make mistakes, we are asked to trust that the pain and embarrassment of apologizing will not crush our spirits. Instead, spending time revisiting our mistakes can lead to good things like reconciliation, improved relationships, and maybe even some new awareness and wisdom. "I die every day!" is one of our favorite cultic scripture verses.
In conclusion, I have had a rich experiences in my cult. Were one interested in learning more about this from me, I would be willing to share. Were one were not so inclined, I hope and trust that the deity will bless you with good things anyways. Peace.