Do you want some dynamic and important dialog? Come to Cults&Culture Discussion Group!
Cults&Culture is a forum for engaging dialog about the role of power, authority and control in groups. The next monthly meeting is May 7, 2019 at the Morristown Centennial Library, 20 Lower Main St, Morrisville VT and is free and open to the public.
Everyone who has a sincere interest in how misused power can cause harm is welcome to participate in this respectful community dialog. The mission of Cults&Culture is to promote recognition and understanding of destructive power dynamics and strives to reduce the possibility of harm through encouraging participants to become attentive to their patterns. For example, destructive groups may require members to tithe or spend excessive amounts of money, make extreme demands on their time, limit their ability to make choices, and control who is acceptable for them to spend time with. All these patterns (and many more) can cause harm. Destructive power dynamics have the potential to develop in groups of all kinds, ranging from popular culture, to religious organizations to self-help groups. Therefore, recognizing them can become an essential life skill.
Each month, there is a different topic to start off the discussion. The May 7th meeting will focus on Establishing Power through Language. At the beginning of the evening, the facilitators will demonstrate several language techniques that an unethical leader may use to take control while also creating confusion and dependence in his/her group members. Controlling language tactics have the potential to become harmful unless they are recognized and diffused.
Cults&Culture discussion forum welcomes all individuals, including those who may have experienced destructive groups in the past or present, as well as those who are simply curious or concerned. The group facilitators will assure the discussion is focused on the dynamics, rather than identifying or defaming any one leader or group. The intention is solely to promote constructive dialog and further recognition of controlling dynamics, hopefully before harm occurs. After introductions and a brief presentation on the topic of the month, the floor will be opened for discussion.
The group is facilitated by Cult Awareness Educators Gerette Buglion of Hyde Park VT, and Mark Laxer of Cambridge, VT, author of Take Me for a Ride, Coming of Age in a Destructive Cult. Both facilitators have previous experience in a cultic group and now work to raise awareness on the dangers of destructive cults because they want to support others. They are not working under the direction or auspices of any organization other than their personal and professional businesses.
The group meets on the first Tuesday of each month from 5:30 to 7 pm at the Morrisville Library. For questions or for more information, contact Gerette Buglion at gerette@dreamhavenvt.com.
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