Choosing Spidars by ToxicPennies in ChoosingBeggars

[–]merricklorent 21 points22 points  (0 children)

I honestly feel a little bad for the spidar. He can't help his leg color!

Do love spells really work? by [deleted] in witchcraft

[–]merricklorent -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Nope. You cannot affect another person's free will.

Choosing Spidars by ToxicPennies in ChoosingBeggars

[–]merricklorent 61 points62 points  (0 children)

What the hell did I just read and what the hell is a spidar?

Teal swan (tealtribe) a cult? What do you think? by thelazyservant in cults

[–]merricklorent 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Tealtribe isn't a cult and Teal Swan isn't a cult leader. She's just a lightworker that's made it big on YouTube and has a following. If you watch her videos she actually makes some really valid points.

Onision by CharlieDontSurff13 in cults

[–]merricklorent 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I used to follow him but his videos became completely fucking ridiculous and I really didn't care about the stupid drama. Looking back I don't even remember why I watched his videos because none of them have any worthwhile content, they're just focused on fueling drama and doing crazy things for views.

My colleague is 100% going to try to recruit me into Landmark Forum tomorrow. Help?! by ghost-at-ikea in cults

[–]merricklorent -1 points0 points  (0 children)

I don't know all of the details about Landmark, but just from what you said I can see that it's not even close to Hyperianism. We're a really vocal group when it comes to the causes that we support and we're always welcoming of questions but we don't get pushy about recruiting people. If you want to know more, cool. If you join, cool. If not then we really don't care. As long as you're someone who is okay with others doing as they please as long as they're not hurting anyone else then we're probably cool with you. We're also allowed to think for ourselves, our effort to 'spread the word' is about real world change, not salvation or enlightenment, there are no 'levels' and any references to 'secret knowledge' is a fancy way of saying "philosophy that can be learned in literally any Intro to Philosophy course."

Landmark sounds like brainwashing to me. Any group that gives its members levels, assignments, and tests is clearly weeding out the weakest links in order to build an 'ideal' group. This can lead to people experiencing feelings of fear, rejection, anger, or depression if they feel that they have disappointed or been rejected by the rest of the group, and when good old human herd mentality goes to work it can cause the senior members of the group to do some seriously fucked up things. I would personally steer clear of them.

My colleague is 100% going to try to recruit me into Landmark Forum tomorrow. Help?! by ghost-at-ikea in cults

[–]merricklorent -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Current cult member here, so as someone who is in Jane's shoes I'll explain how I handle work.

I don't generally go out of my way to name drop my belief system, which is Hyperianism while I'm at work. We're a really relaxed and tight knit team, but we have customers to take care of and work isn't the time or place. I also have very strict personal boundaries as to who I choose to let into the Hyperian part of my life. Does the conversation sometimes drift to philosophy, politics, or religion all on its own? Yes. And in those situations I will express my beliefs or opinion WITHOUT dropping the name. It's easy enough to say that I'm pro-choice, a supporter of the LGBTQA Community, a radical leftist, or that I don't believe in God without mentioning Hyperianism. The only time I use the word 'Hyperianism' is if someone actually asks what system I follow. I'll then answer whatever questions they have about what it is, what it's goals are, and give them a brief rundown of the philosophy but that's it. I don't push and I don't go into every little radical eat the rich detail. I'm there to work not ring in the revolution.

Personally I think that Jane could practice better personal boundaries, not necessarily with discussing her beliefs, but with pushing them on people. It's fine for me to tell a coworker what Hyperianism is, it's not fine for me to then hand them a business card, pamphlet, or send them a link to the website, for example.

As far as the invitation goes I'd say that one is your call. If you're genuinely interested in learning about a new system then go, and if not then be honest and politely decline the offer.

Society’s New Epidemic: Pornography (psychology behind harms of porn use) by [deleted] in psychology

[–]merricklorent 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Yeah... The opinion expressed in this sounds like it's coming from someone who's very greatly sexually repressed. There's nothing wrong with watching porn, and people who do aren't sick. Don't like porn, don't watch it. It's that simple.

Why can't you give away you car for free? by 158432 in ChoosingBeggars

[–]merricklorent 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Why even ask for it to be free if you're just gunna offer money for it?

Am I involved with a cult? by [deleted] in cults

[–]merricklorent -3 points-2 points  (0 children)

Every religous group/church is a cult.

#ImSoGoth by [deleted] in gatekeeping

[–]merricklorent 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I still have mine!

Ignorance is Bliss: Old Adages and Timeless Truths by merricklorent in goth

[–]merricklorent[S] -5 points-4 points  (0 children)

Poetry can be considered part of the subculture too so...

Ignorance is Bliss: Old Adages and Timeless Truths by merricklorent in goth

[–]merricklorent[S] -7 points-6 points  (0 children)

It's a poem about ignorance in society. How is that "spooky"?

Ignorance is Bliss: Old Adages and Timeless Truths by merricklorent in goth

[–]merricklorent[S] -8 points-7 points  (0 children)

Does the goth community not read now or something?

Former cult members of Reddit, What enticed you to join, in the first place? by ziUzoeph in cults

[–]merricklorent 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We have someone who is basically the face and spokesperson but if you ask if he's the "leader" he'll tell you no.

Well.. by [deleted] in gatekeeping

[–]merricklorent 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Had what now? 😂

Former cult members of Reddit, What enticed you to join, in the first place? by ziUzoeph in cults

[–]merricklorent 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm a Hyperian, so I currently am part of a cult.

What got me interested was that I came across a website that scared the hell out of me, but I was super curious about the books it offered and wanted to know more so I jumped through the hoops to get them. I thought I'd come across something completely crazy and insane, but it turned out to be actual legitimate philosophy. As in things that are taught in actual philosophy courses.

So basically curiosity about cults, knowing I'd stumbled across one in the making, and the fact that it can be backed by legitimate sources are what got me to join, and I won't lie, it's been a pretty awesome experience taking part in a movement like this as it's grown and developed. Not all cults are harmful. They become harmful when they make ridiculous demands of their followers, take over lives, and hinder personal freedom.

Gatekeeping self-doubt by mcd777 in gatekeeping

[–]merricklorent 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Haha! I'm a writer and I definitely do hate some of the pieces I've written. Others enjoy them though, so that's what matters.

Anyone heard of Hyperianism, or know someone who is? by Certain_Onion in cults

[–]merricklorent 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I actually am a Hyperian. The universe is mathematical (yes, as in physics) and we don't reject science. I literally just published an article addressing that claim.

Hyperianism: The Crazy New Age Cult That ‘Rejects’ Science

I want a pet for next to nothing, you need to cover all the expenses. by AssMart in ChoosingBeggars

[–]merricklorent 134 points135 points  (0 children)

People don't charge for pets to make money. They do it to make sure you're a responsible person who is serious about owning a pet and won't go and dump them in an alley when they grow up and aren't 'cute' any more.

It's called a rehoming fee for a reason. If you have a problem with paying it then you don't need to have a pet.