Is your objection really that the topic has no relevance to LW or that because the information is found in so many other places that it has no relevance?
I appreciate summaries on LW even if they are found elsewhere because it provides for comments and discussion from a very particular group whose input which I prioritize(over other internet strangers). I often do a quick search on LW for new ideas I am exposed to, to get the LW spin. Say you just discovered this forum and you decided you like how everyone aspires to be a rationalist, but you have gaps in your knowledge about cults, this article might be far more informational than what you can find on a Google search. A Google search on cults leads to lots of websites on christian apologetics, not exactly the places I would encourage people to go to find truth. The information can be found in thousands of places but the places matter– a rationality oriented forum vs a website you are not quite sure of it’s motives.
That’s exactly my point. The information posted here is a reformulation of exactly the type of material at Christian apologetics sites. It does not deserve to be in a place where you would encourage people to go to find truth.
The information posted here is a reformulation of exactly the type of material at Christian apologetics sites.
I don’t read Christian apologetics sites per se, but I have read some cult-related materials published by Christian organizations, and the models they produce are quite different.
Instead of focusing on behavior, their explanations are theological. Their model seems to be rather: “These people worship a wrong god, or worship the right god in a wrong way, and that causes the abusive behavior. To avoid abuse, stay within our officially approved religious organizations.” Even the economical cults are shoehorned into this model, by saying they “worship money” and then explaining why that is a sin.
Sometimes, however, those Christian organizations also quote a behavioral explanation. But if that quote is followed by their own words, they usually put it in the proper context: that all that behavior is a consequence of choosing a wrong theology.
tl;dr—it’s not me quoting them, it’s both of us quoting the same sources; their model is actually different
Is your objection really that the topic has no relevance to LW or that because the information is found in so many other places that it has no relevance?
I appreciate summaries on LW even if they are found elsewhere because it provides for comments and discussion from a very particular group whose input which I prioritize(over other internet strangers). I often do a quick search on LW for new ideas I am exposed to, to get the LW spin. Say you just discovered this forum and you decided you like how everyone aspires to be a rationalist, but you have gaps in your knowledge about cults, this article might be far more informational than what you can find on a Google search. A Google search on cults leads to lots of websites on christian apologetics, not exactly the places I would encourage people to go to find truth. The information can be found in thousands of places but the places matter– a rationality oriented forum vs a website you are not quite sure of it’s motives.
That’s exactly my point. The information posted here is a reformulation of exactly the type of material at Christian apologetics sites. It does not deserve to be in a place where you would encourage people to go to find truth.
I don’t read Christian apologetics sites per se, but I have read some cult-related materials published by Christian organizations, and the models they produce are quite different.
Instead of focusing on behavior, their explanations are theological. Their model seems to be rather: “These people worship a wrong god, or worship the right god in a wrong way, and that causes the abusive behavior. To avoid abuse, stay within our officially approved religious organizations.” Even the economical cults are shoehorned into this model, by saying they “worship money” and then explaining why that is a sin.
Sometimes, however, those Christian organizations also quote a behavioral explanation. But if that quote is followed by their own words, they usually put it in the proper context: that all that behavior is a consequence of choosing a wrong theology.
tl;dr—it’s not me quoting them, it’s both of us quoting the same sources; their model is actually different
I understand your criticism much better now.