There are several places on the web which define & seek to "out" cultish groups. I've read their message boards & postings, and my judgement is that these are not places for conversations or dialog (inasmuch as can be had on a message board). I've seen people challenge the labeling of groups as cults, only to be shouted down, ridiculed, etc. I'm open to respectful dialog & difficult questions. I'm not up for vitriol. 'nuff said.
I've written enough now to begin walking through 2 separate definitions of cultism, and how The Crucible Project does *not* meet those criteria. The first is a list of 13 behaviors that are usually found in cults, specifically what are called mass marathon training or large group awareness training; the second is a shorter list. This is the first of 13 behaviors.
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| Crucible Project: Adequate Selection Criteria |
1) They lack adequate participant selection criteria
I went to TCP because I had heard about what they did and I wanted what they talked about on the site. I know men who have attended because they know another man who did attend, and the change in that man was something worth going after. I'd say that is pretty *good* selection criteria.
There is no MLM scheme here! I do not get any financial or leadership benefit based on referrals. I don't get a cut, kick-back, or any financial remuneration for staffing. I don't get any gifts in kind instead of cash from The Crucible Project, either. Participant selection isn't based on personal financial gain. In addition, The Crucible Project is a not-for-profit organization. Really.
In addition, I had a phone conversation with a senior staffer between signing up for the weekend and leaving town for the weekend. There's no coercion, no aggressive recruitment here. This directly refutes this aspect of cultism/MMT/LGAT.
When I think about participant selection, this is the image I think of.
