Jonathan Fields’ recent episode of Good Life Project with Claire Hoffman featured an interesting conversation about what makes a cult. Seth Godin loves the term “tribe” to classify a loyal group of people that are connected to some common cause.
To some, that description evokes the feeling of a cult. What Jonathan Fields said was that there are two key differences between cults and tribes.
Cults take away individual autonomy and they shun outsiders. Tribes do neither of these things. They encourage individual creativity and interpretation. While they like each other, they do not have hatred for those outside the tribe.
These distinctions are important as we think about our beliefs, our organizations and our lives. Are you shunning outsiders? Or are you welcoming them? Do you encourage individuality or conformity?
Thank you. It is sad that I have to explain this to people in my community. They think the two are the same. They won’t do research on the differences. They think they know,and, don’t realize that not knowing can be dangerous.
Hi. Thank you, for this short, simple article to verify which is a cult, and, tribe. I am getting so tired of having to explain to people the difference between an ancient social group (tribe) and a controlling, sinister group (Cult) to some Cult followers. And, members. The Cult Leader is trying to fool his mentally ill flock of sheep. He says that he has a tribe. It is not. The name is,”Carbon Nation.” The Culture Leader is named,”Nature Boy.” His real name is, “Eligioe Bishop.” I am trying to stop him from inflicting his plague on the young. Thank you.