Hmmmmmmmm. My poll, the first I've set up I think, seems to be rather all or nothing in design. Opps, sorry. I'm not sure if the software would allow a poll to be set up on more of a continuum, perhaps a 0-100% scale. Except by posting it in the first place I haven't voted to see what the results are so far and may not, as I maintain opinions are, at least often, irrelevant to science.

I've found several different web sites with similar ideas; this one (A. Orange's) while biased seems well researched and reasonable to me, as far as I've read at the present time. I don't have any allegiance to any one perspective and may very well change or adjust my opinions as I learn more. I hope to evolve and improve my reasoning and behaviors, as I'm able and would hope others would want to as well.

From my reading the implications of cults seem to go well beyond what happens in 12-step groups and their growing monopolization of healthcare. In my experience if one is unwilling to believe in "higher powers" incredible pressure is applied to do so by 12-step groups and the state supported healthcare and social services that I have approached for help. I have been in effect deigned adequate care/discriminated against for being atheist. Though it is irrelevant I have attended many ACOA meetings and though while there I didn't see the harm at the time and enjoyed a chance to socialize, I didn't get the help I sought and still need either. After a location change, I re-examined my beliefs and recalled I believed in science as the most reliable way to find what is true, not as some higher power but as a human tool.

I urge those interested and open minded to read up at any or all of the following sites or google your own:

WARNING some of the info you may find is quite biased as happens with life and death situations and you may find some of your own behavior and beliefs described.

http://www.orange-papers.org/orange-cult.html

I haven't looked at the following links A. Orange reviews and apparently did link to in the past, use your discretion.

http://www.orange-papers.org/orange-cult-sos.html
http://www.orange-papers.org/orange-cultinfo.html
http://www.orange-papers.org/orange-totalism.html

If someone has other site links that test for cult patterns that would be of interest to me and perhaps others here as well. Thanks to those who have already.

~Down