Here are two definitions. The first is from Merriam Webster: (The first 4 definitions relate specifically to religious cults, which are not exactly applicable, although some might argue differently). Here is their definition:
"#5: a. a great devotion to a person, idea, object, movement, or work (as a film or book) especially: such devotion regarded as a literary or intellectual fad)
b. the object of such devotion
c. a usually small group of people characterized by such devotion."
And the second, on Wikipedia:
"The word cult pejoratively refers to a group whose beliefs or practices are considered abnormal or bizarre." OED, (Oxford English Dictionary)citing American Journal of Sociology 85 (1980), p. 1"Cults[...], like other deviant social movements, tend to recruit people with a grievance, people who suffer from a(sic) some variety of deprivation."
Now the object of devotion at SBFII is not the celebrity to whom the site is devoted, but rather to the administrators, particularly the one known as Kalua. Why do I say that? Because Kalua, not the celebrity, is the one who gives the site the characteristics of a cult.
Dr. Michael Langone, PhD. is an American counseling psychologist who specializes in research about "cultic groups" and alleged psychological manipulation. He is executive director of the International Cultic Studies Association, and editor of the journal Cultic Studies Review.
He states, "Concerted efforts at influence and control lie at the core of cultic groups, programs, and relationships. Many members, former members, and supporters of cults are not fully aware of the extent to which members may have been manipulated, exploited, even abused. The following list of social-structural, social-psychological, and interpersonal behavioral patterns commonly found in cultic environments may be helpful in assessing a particular group or relationship.
1. The group displays excessively zealous and unquestioning commitment to its leader and (whether he is alive or dead) regards his belief system, ideology, and practices as the Truth, as law.
2. Questioning, doubt, and dissent are discouraged or even punished.
3. The group is elitist, claiming a special, exalted status for itself, its leader(s) and members (for example, the leader is considered the Messiah, a special being, an avatar—or the group and/or the leader is on a special mission to save humanity).
4. The group has a polarized us-versus-them mentality, which may cause conflict with the wider society.
5. The leader is not accountable to any authorities (unlike, for example, teachers, military commanders or ministers, priests, monks, and rabbis of mainstream religious denominations).
6. The group teaches or implies that its supposedly exalted ends justify whatever means it deems necessary. This may result in members' participating in behaviors or activities they would have considered reprehensible or unethical before joining the group (for example, lying to family or friends, or collecting money for bogus charities).
7. The leadership induces feelings of shame and/or guilt in order to influence and/or control members. Often, this is done through peer pressure and subtle forms of persuasion."
Dr. Langone gives some additional characteristics, but they are directed at cults which have common living quarters or a primarily religious focus, not the case at SBFII.
But why should the current beliefs or practices at SBFII, particularly in its relationship with Kalua, be considered "abnormal or bizarre"?
Kalua planned on being the Director of the Board, but only on his/her own terms. When the owner of the site incorporated the non-profit SBFII, she wanted legitimate identification of his/her identity, so that she knew who she was selling the site to. In view of the numerous internet scams going on, this was only prudent. Kalua, however, has always hidden his/her true identity, and resigned rather than reveal who he/she really was for this business transaction. This precipitated a revolt by the members of the remaining staff, who abandoned their responsibilities, sabotaged the site's computer software, and initiated a campaign of public libel and harassment against the elderly owner, her technical assistant and other members of the fan community.
All this has been documented and proven earlier in the blogs below. How did the membership, the staff and later the Board respond to Kalua's (supposedly a Chilean national) refusal to verify his/her real identity in order to direct a legal American non-profit corporation? He/she was praised and considered to be unjustly persecuted. The first order of business of the new Board of Directors was to beg for him/her to return as staff administrator, and later they gave him/her an apology for his/her "mistreatment". Note that the entire Board was made fully aware that Kalua regularly claimed that he/she was in danger of being murdered if discovered. The Board willfully chose to ignore or address that issue at all. The provider of that information was libeled instead.
Stop and think for a moment. SBFII claims a membership of 55,000. Think of another organization that size--the Red Cross or the YMCA, for example. Can you imagine them accepting as Director someone who refused to provide identifying information that could be verified, such as a real address or a current place of business? Or on a more personal level--if your teenage daughter was corresponding with someone who identified himself as a teenage boy, but refused to provide any information about himself that could be verified, would you let her go off and meet him alone in another city? If you would, I have a few sad stories to tell you about the results of that naive behavior.
I can give examples of the 7 characteristics listed above in relationship to Kalua, but this is already an awfully long post, and the blogs below can give you more information about a specific example of Kalua, who claims to be in his/her thirties, again bullying a senior woman. Read them and weep. Or swear.
Of course, this is only a hypothesis, isn't it? I welcome any comments for or against it, especially if they are related to the 7 items Dr. Langone proposed as characteristics of a cult.
As always, I stand ready to provide documentation of all I say in court. As has been stated on this blog multiple times, I welcome any and all legal inquiries.
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