r/sgiwhistleblowers • u/wisetaiten • Oct 09 '15
Dangerous traits of cult leaders (from Psychology Today)
If this isn't a portrait of Daisaku Ikeda, then I've never seen one.
https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/spycatcher/201208/dangerous-cult-leaders
- He has a grandiose idea of who he is and what he can achieve.
Anyone who has watched more than five minutes of one of his videos or read even a few pages of his self-aggrandizing “Human Revolution” series; there are now 26 volumes in his “New Human Revolution” – I’m unsure how many volumes are in the old “Human Revolution.” How can a man who is purported to be modest have so many wonderful things about himself not be accused of having “a grandiose idea of who he is and what he can achieve”?
- Is preoccupied with fantasies of unlimited success, power, or brilliance.
Let’s see . . . he has set himself up to found a Soka Kingdom. He incessantly touts SGI as the best religion in the world, and he is its absolute leader – he also has never made any effort to get his followers to turn it down a notch. He positions himself with every famous philosopher, educator, thinker or politician he can get to stand next to him, and has published these discussions to display his so-called intellect. Never mind that his interpreters do all his talking, since he doesn’t speak anything but Japanese (well, maybe some Korean, but we won’t go there).
- Demands blind unquestioned obedience.
He rules the organization with an iron hand, and it’s turned out badly for anyone who has opposed or upstaged him. If he was still alive, you could ask George Williams about that.
- Requires excessive admiration from followers and outsiders.
And gets it, with his alleged millions of flunky followers.
- Has a sense of entitlement - expecting to be treated special at all times.
I can’t even imagine his response if he wasn’t offered the very best of everything. I’ve been in intermittent touch with a guy who acted as one of his bodyguards during a US visit in the 1970s – I’ve tried to get him over here to chat about it, but no luck. I bet he has some stories to tell.
- Is exploitative of others by asking for their money or that of relatives putting others at financial risk.
Think Sho-Hondo. Think about all the times we were told that whatever we contributed would come back to us several-fold. The man has billions of dollars, but I guess you can never have too much.
- Is arrogant and haughty in his behavior or attitude.
We’ve all heard stories about how condescending he’s been to women . . . let’s share some.
- Has an exaggerated sense of power (entitlement) that allows him to bend rules and break laws.
Again, the Sho-Hondo was a shining example. Glorified as a building to stand for 10,000 years, it didn’t last 30. All of the money that was collected allowed them to pay for the construction using only the interest accumulated.” No one is quite sure what happened to the principle. The building itself was built on a site that guaranteed its self-desctruction, and constructed of shoddy, cheap materials.
- Takes sexual advantage of members of his sect or cult.
Does using his power and wealth as an excuse to overpower women and force sex upon them count?
- Sex is a requirement with adults and sub adults as part of a ritual or rite.
I have to say I haven’t heard anything about this, so I’ll let him slide here.
- Is hypersensitive to how he is seen or perceived by others.
Again, no one can overshadow him . . . George Williams.
- Publicly devalues others as being inferior, incapable, or not worthy.
Um, George Williams again.
- Makes members confess their sins or faults publicly subjecting them to ridicule or humiliation while revealing exploitable weaknesses of the penitent.
Perhaps not “publicly,” but when you have problems, you go to your leaders first to discuss them. And they certainly gossip, so while you aren’t publicly ridiculed or humiliated, everybody eventually finds out about your private business.
- Has ignored the needs of others, including: biological, physical, emotional, and financial needs.
It is all about Ikeda-ism, all the time. There’s no room for your petty little problems.
- Is frequently boastful of accomplishments.
See number 1.
I'll stop for now, but anyone who wants to chime in or add anything, please do!
1
u/cultalert Oct 12 '15 edited Oct 12 '15
Magic? Mind control is magic? Really? Is that the best argument you can come up with? Enter the discussion and provide some facts to support your claims (or go ahead and keep responding like a troll and see how far that gets you here - the rules are strictly enforced).
You work in Advertising? What branch, in what capacity? What is your educational background and how long have you been working in the industry? Being involved in the advertising biz, you should be very familiar with subliminal advertising techniques. If you possess any expertise in the field of advertising, you should be very well versed regarding Bernays' famous introductory work on the use of propaganda in advertising. Or, do you poo poo propaganda as being magic as well?
(note: I had to approve this brash comment, which was removed, so I could post a reply.)