Rutland and "The Twelve Tribes" Hostel

[JAK]

lol
Wikipedia covers the subject well, and the anti-cult movement also.

What doesn't get covered much is when cult movements might be legitimate. Like when a society gets so messed up there might actually be something to be said for forming some sort of semi-closed community, including some alternative spiritual belief system. Personally, I sort of do this on my own, and try to extend it at least as far as my wife and daughter, though without much success. Perhaps if I was more charismatic I would be some sort of cult leader, and there would be alot more people wearing wool and eating oats. Not sure about the black wool dress socks, with shorts and sandals or trail runners. It's not really meant to be part of the movement. It's just something I do personally. Perhaps its just as well I'm not all that charismatic.

[weary]

....I have always thought the MATC is a cult and now you confirm it.

One weird member among 600 does not make MATC a cult. The only criteria for being a member is to send the club $15 for the annual dues.

We can always use more members and more 15 dollar checks. You too can join. Just open www.matc.org. It's easy.

[Blue Jay]

One weird member among 600 does not make MATC a cult. The only criteria for being a member is to send the club $15 for the annual dues.

We can always use more members and more 15 dollar checks. You too can join. Just open www.matc.org. It's easy.

ONE.... I've met dozens of MATC members over the years and every single one of them was (is) weird. I eat at a 12 Tribes establishment and talk to them at length at the Long Trail Festival. I like both groups very much, however the MATC (and you Weary) is far more interested in attracting new members.

[weary]

ONE.... I've met dozens of MATC members over the years and every single one of them was (is) weird. I eat at a 12 Tribes establishment and talk to them at length at the Long Trail Festival. I like both groups very much, however the MATC (and you Weary) is far more interested in attracting new members.

Which is totally beside the point. Political parties, face book, twitter, every church, even White Blaze, are equally interested in attracting new members, even the Phippsburg Land Trust. We all need members for their money, their participation, and to help us with our role in society.

A desire for members has nothing to do with whether a group is a cult or not. A group that has stringent restrictions on who qualifies to be a new member might make one suspicious about their culthood, but even that is not enough to prove the point.

Weary

[Panzer1]

I think the central question should be whether peoples lives are improved by belonging to a cult.
If their lives are improved than it is a good cult.
If their lives are diminished than it is a bad cult.

Panzer

[weary]

I think the central question should be whether peoples lives are improved from belonging to a cult.
If their lives are improved than it is a good cult.
If their lives are diminished than it is a bad cult. Panzer

The problem with that definition, is that one size rarely fits everyone. Some people's lives are improved, I sure by most cults. Other lives are damaged.

I prefer to believe those that have been a part of the group and have left, than to believe those who have been fed good food in hopes of enticing them to consider joining. The testimony of those who have been members of the 12 appostles, and have left, convince me that the group can be dangerous for those that fall under the apostles control.

Weary

[Appalachian Tater]

The MATC is much more dangerous than the Twelve Tribes because the MATC forces members to hand over money year after year, sometimes for many decades. If the members don't fork over money, they are cast out.

[Tinker]

There are lots of so-called cults in the world. I think that most people are as much afraid of religion as they are of cults. Individualism is very highly prized in our society. Most of us rebelled at a young age and sought our own identity. Often we ended up with a bunch of other "individualists" in a clique, group, gang - whatever. We tended to be very much alike within the small circle and very much different from outsiders. There must be something to the saying "Different is better" - not that I'm saying that it is, but judging from clothing fashions you might think so - pants so baggy you trip over them and they get caught on your bicycle seat, baseball caps worn every-which-way except for the original way (facing forward to keep the sun out of your eyes).
Being different makes you stand out from the crowd.
Standing out often makes you a target.
There is some substance to most religious cults - Martin Luther was one of the first "cult" leaders. Now, most major "Name Brand" protestant religions can trace a great many of their beliefs to him.
Ramble, ramble, etc. etc.

[Lone Wolf]

There are lots of so-called cults in the world.

catholics. at least you can drink, gamble and confess your sins once a week and get forgiven then go ahead and screw up for the next six days

[weary]

The MATC is much more dangerous than the Twelve Tribes because the MATC forces members to hand over money year after year, sometimes for many decades. If the members don't fork over money, they are cast out.

I know Appalachian Tater thinks this is a cute comment. If we lived in a rational society, Taters comment would be too absurd to warrant a serious answer. But increasingly we do not. Even things as absurd as Appalachian Tater's claim are increasingly believed by too many Americans.

So let me explain. MATC maintains the Appalachian Trail in Maine. The trail winds 283 miles through some of the wildest country traversed by the Appalachian Trail. This corridor is owned mostly by the National Park Service and state of Maine agencies. MATC accomplishes its maintenance chores by recruiting members and enticing donations, dues and work on the trail from those members. Though many White Blaze members seem to think that the trail can be maintained without either workers or members, and many don't care one way of the other. As long as someone provides them with a trail most hikers seem to care less how it happens.

Anyway, MATC does a good job of maintaining the trail in Maine. It could, and would, do a better job if it had more workers (members) and more dues income or donations of money.

Finally because trail work is increasingly complex as use increases and because governments which now own virtually all the trail corridor, increasingly impose regulations, we can not rely on people maintaining the trail without some rules. So we require that each section of the trail in Maine be the responsibility of a member that agrees to maintain the trail to at least minimal standards.

These members can recruit as many non members as they want to help them, but we require that someone be incharge, who has chosen to be a member of MATC and who agrees to meet minimal standards.

This is why, Tater, we require minimal dues from members for the privilege of being responsbible for the maintenance of a section of the trail in Maine. Members can quit anytime they wish. When they do, others compete to fill the vacancy.

No we are not a cult, though some on White Blaze think us weird, competing as we do for the privilege of spending many days, sometimes weeks, every year maintaining a trail for the public to enjoy.

I think we do it because it is fun to be out in the woods doing constructive work for the common good. Perhaps some of us are simply heeding the call from a statesman who proclaimed many decades ago, "ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country," or words to that affect.

Weary

[emerald]

You know, you ought to hike to Chimney Pond at least annually. I like what it does to your posting.

[Blue Jay]

The MATC is much more dangerous than the Twelve Tribes because the MATC forces members to hand over money year after year, sometimes for many decades. If the members don't fork over money, they are cast out.

That is hysterical, especially the dangerous part. Another very dangerous group is the Girl Scouts and their addictive cookies.

[weary]

"The MATC is much more dangerous than the Twelve Tribes because the MATC forces members to hand over money year after year, sometimes for many decades. If the members don't fork over money, they are cast out."

That is hysterical, especially the dangerous part. .....

Yup. All MATC members must be shrieking with laughter. Ah the hilarity of being called a weird and dangerous cult, that casts out members for not paying their dues.

[JAK]

Maine is weird. I hope it stays weird forever. I think the weirdness is at least in some degree due to the influence of their nearest neighbours to the North, Quebec, and East, New Brunswick. Your very welcome thanks. Most of its weirdness is home grown though, as it should be.

Keep doing your part weary. Maintain that weirdness. Add to it as much as you can.
One weird member and one weird mile and one weird acre at a time.

[bfitz]

Yeah, it's great being catholic! We can dance too! I sure do miss those indulgences for sale. Those were the good old days.

Religions are ALL funny.

Baptists don't recognize the pope, protestants don't recognize the apocrypha, mormons don't recognize eachother at the liquor store, and catholics don't recognize eachother at the abortion clinic. What's with all the lach of recognition?

[bfitz]

A priest and a rabbi are walking down the street together....oh...never mind, you already know how this one ends....

[weary]

A priest and a rabbi are walking down the street together....oh...never mind, you already know how this one ends....

I don't. I think you have left out the protestant minister.

[bfitz]

I don't. I think you have left out the protestant minister.

Well the protestant minister's in the next town buying porn.

[weary]

Well the protestant minister's in the next town buying porn.

No, no. They all do that. I mean in terms of the joke.

[Lone Wolf]

A priest and a rabbi are walking down the street together....oh...never mind, you already know how this one ends....

I don't. I think you have left out the protestant minister.

Well the protestant minister's in the next town buying porn.

No, no. They all do that. I mean in terms of the joke.

i tried to make a light-hearted joke about religion yesterday and Tarlin took offense and had it deleted. y'all should back off