My Grandmother was Right!

I’ll never forget the day at the dinner table when we were chatting about things and I was pretty fired up about what was going on in my singles group and my grandmother responded, “sounds like you’re in a cult.” Grandmothers don’t usually use that word and I instantly dismissed her because she was, well……old and because she was my grandmother. Now my grandmother is always up on the fashion and is pretty hip. If I explain a concept to her about engineering, art or whatever; she’s spitting it back out to me like she was a young grasshopper. So, it’s high time, I started taking more of those comments to heart.

The other day someone commented to me that FrogShway could possibly be viewed as a cult and my mind went right back to that moment with my Grandmother who has always told me she’s proud of me no matter what (sometimes, I wish she’d said what she was proud of so I’d know to do more of that). Now this person held a creative mentality with a certain non-judgmental winsome attractiveness, so naturally, I listened to her and I googled the word cult to check out why people may or may not think cult when they look at FrogShway.

Today we’re going to break this whole cult thing down for you and explain where we of the FrogShway stand. Also, we’d like to go on record and say that we are looking to create a cult-like following for intelligent people who are interested in some positive social change based on reliable stuff like God and Truth. We’re not interested in the brainless, bandwagon masses. FrogShway is a conscious decision to live a committed self-disciplined life in way that holds the principles of Truth and expresses them in incrementally culture shaping ways taking society to a much much better place with local creatives at the helm instead of faceless organizations

than what they see around them today

We desire for the world to know the importance of the True Creative movement known as FrogShway and to value and honor those who make things of beauty. It is indeed the practice of art patronage, art collection and art and sound creation that enhances and defines culture. We acknowledge that this is most effectively done when creative minds create as a response to the great creator. To this we say FrogShway.

In May of 2010, Wikipedia defined Cult as…

Cult pejoratively refers to a group whose beliefs or practices could be, reasonably or unreasonably, considered strange. The term originally denoted a system of ritual practices. The narrower, derogatory sense of the word is a product of the 20th century, especially since the 1980s, and is considered subjective, and is a result of the anti-cult movement, which uses the term in reference to groups seen as authoritarian, exploitative and possibly dangerous.

We give the date because Wikipedia changes over time and some seminary professors don’t like people to quote from it. The simple fact is that Wikipedia is one of the most readily available sources of encyclopedic information. So, in honor of all seminary professors and seminary-trained individuals, we give the date to mark the place in time of this information.

Are we weird? Are we strange? Most unquestionably yes! Is God weird? The bohemian way is indeed unconventional by nature. The creative mentality is that of an inventor who challenges norms and comes up with new ways; traditionalist fear this kind of thing because it rattles there everyday concept of stability. While striving to express Truth in our inner man creatively, we acknowledge that living this way may interact with established social practices that are not based on true living and this may appear strange or weird to others. For example, the American culture is largely evidenced by a consumptive culture; which seeks to define itself by what it buys and owns. To own more is to be significant. We of the FrogShway seek to create and to conserve valuing relationships, others and creative expression more highly than consumption. This has led some to a style of life that embraces recycling, conservation and the purchase of things at store consumers and some traditionalist regard as reprehensible…like the Salvation Army and Goodwill.

Are we dangerous? Are you trapped in a system of lies and deception? Are you placing mass produced reproductions of artistic creations on your walls that were made outside your local neighborhood? The South fought a war between the states to defend a ‘way of life’ that was rooted in much more than the color of someone’s skin. Were they dangerous?

Do we embrace Authoritarianism? The movie ‘Dances with Wolves’ staring Kevin Costner has a line in it that says ‘no one can tell a man what to do.’ While many women have tried to change men and others have tried to tell others what to do; we acknowledge that each adult is responsible for ultimately choosing his own way. Ultimately everyone will stand before the great creator and be judged individually. Coercive and fearful practices result in weak and crippled followers. We in FrogShway follow the Truth and desire to share the joy of this process with those interested and willing to participate. We place truth as authoritative and seek to share intimacy with others who follow this way.

Michael Langone’s has constructed a useful checklist for classifying cults. Let’s take a look at his list and look at how FrogShway measure up to the cult thing. It may also be useful to look at the wiki cult checklist but we’ll leave that for another time.

http://www.csj.org/infoserv_cult101/checklis.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cult_checklist

1. The group displays excessively zealous and unquestioning commitment to its leader and (whether he is alive or dead) regards his belief system, ideology, and practices as the Truth, as law.

No, While we agree that strong leadership is vital to the success of any movement or organization, an individual should be committed to the Truth first and primary. At times a leader may deviate from following the Truth and it’s important that he/she be brought back to clear understanding of the way. Commitment is a high value, but unquestioning commitment smacks of a weaning intelligence, we discourage this type of thinking. Deep understanding requires that you’ve done your homework and understand the alternatives.

2. ‪ Questioning, doubt, and dissent are discouraged or even punished.

No, we encourage discussion especially on areas where dissent and questions exist.

3. ‪ Mind-altering practices (such as meditation, chanting, speaking in tongues, denunciation sessions, and debilitating work routines) are used in excess and serve to suppress doubts about the group and its leader(s).

We acknowledge that excessive work practices without a life commitment to vital roles in family, health, friends and community are necessary. Workaholic behavior is a sincere problem in our society and endorsed by many organizations requiring unreasonable commitment. We discourage this, work is work and necessary for sustainability at it’s greatest it should be enjoyed and satisfying but it is not without trouble. Godlike status of a leader is quite dangerous, even if the leader serves God with a sincere and high level of commitment; they indeed are not God and put on pants just like any other person in the model of Adam and Eve; whereas pants are now necessary.

4. ‪The leadership dictates, sometimes in great detail, how members should think, act, and feel (for example, members must get permission to date, change jobs, marry—or leaders prescribe what types of clothes to wear, where to live, whether or not to have children, how to discipline children, and so forth).

We believe that children are a necessary and enjoyable for continuing a presence on earth and heartily encourage the good upbringing of them as this is pleasing to God and does require time, sacrifice, dedication and commitment. Some will choose not to have children or be unable to breed. These are part of us too; however we do encourage breeding and parenting and things that grow character. The more the better and is done well in the context of a joint commitment of a husband and wife and within budgeted expectations. Circumstance may present themselves where two parents are not present in the family; we acknowledge this and strive to support these family units with extra care. We also believe that budgets are a good thing. Clothes should be well worn and we acknowledge good style perpetuates a healthy culture. We also endorse a free expression of self that may include crazy hair, tattoos, messed up hair, cool glasses and clean clothes while acknowledging there is a place for being dirty as work can require grunts and sweat. Be who you are is who we are. As for how you feel, that’s for you to decide. We strive to treat people well and think the best of them; but sometimes they get jacked up on Mountain Dew and this can be harmful if unchecked.

5. ‪ The group is elitist, claiming a special, exalted status for itself, its leader(s) and members (for example, the leader is considered the Messiah, a special being, an avatar—or the group and/or the leader is on a special mission to save humanity).

Being FrogShway is important, but we don’t consider being better than others a value. We strive for humility with a healthy concept of self. We believe in a world beyond Earth and desire for others to reach this destination in the best way possible, this may require explanation but should never be forced or coerced.

6. ‪The group has a polarized us-versus-them mentality, which may cause conflict with the wider society.

At times conflict is necessary, we discourage FrogShwah behaviors for those committed to FrogShway and desire to be seen as one moving together and for the common good. As servants we find ourselves in positions to serve society. At times we find ourselves at odds with those who embrace deception and seek to stay out of their way finding productive means for healthy societal change.

7. ‪The leader is not accountable to any authorities (unlike, for example, teachers, military commanders or ministers, priests, monks, and rabbis of mainstream religious denominations).

No. Unchecked power and authority leads to great corruption and the deception of many. We see this as a problem that has lead many movie starts, television evangelists, sports celebrities and musicals astray. While serving the Truth we seek to place ourselves under the authority of God and others by regularly asking for sincere feedback by those within FrogShway and those unfamiliar with the FrogShway. This feedback is used to further develop high character and progress interpersonally working and living in community with others. We support legal and governmental entities and desire the kind of peace where FrogShway can flourish.

8. ‪The group teaches or implies that its supposedly exalted ends justify whatever means it deems necessary. This may result in members’ participating in behaviors or activities they would have considered reprehensible or unethical before joining the group (for example, lying to family or friends, or collecting money for bogus charities).

We strive for high ethics and non-bogus activity. Deception is not part of FrogShway.

9. ‪The leadership induces feelings of shame and/or guilt in order to influence and/or control members. Often, this is done through peer pressure and subtle forms of persuasion.

While many are held captive to shame and guilt we do not endorse the practices of such. Each member is free to be him/herself while we desire for members to practice good FrogShway and acknowledge behaviors of the FrogShwah in acts of humility and self-introspection.

10. ‪Subservience to the leader or group requires members to cut ties with family and friends, and radically alter the personal goals and activities they had before joining the group.

We support family connections and existing relationships. Where there are no personal goals we desire growth and goals are part of that process. Some activities in life are harmful, illegal, unethical and immoral to participate in FrogShway is to separate from those behaviors. We acknowledge that this may not happen without great struggle and serve to support those struggling with various life situations.

11. ‪ The group is preoccupied with bringing in new members.

The group is most definitely preoccupied with the distribution of T-shirts, bumper stickers and the sale of joyful art creations under the direction of Master sculptor, Beau Smith and other local creative talents.

12. ‪ The group is preoccupied with making money.

The group is occupied with the healthy balance of work/life. While money is important the choice of a lifestyle and the discipline to live within that lifestyle is more highly valued than the unending quest for more cash. If anything we are preoccupied with life balance and the equipping of others for productive contributions to society especially in the area of producing, selling and distribution amazing artwork.

13. ‪ Members are expected to devote inordinate amounts of time to the group and group-related activities.

Group related activities are necessary for training and general acknowledgement of the true creators influence and direction in life. When the group seeks only to participate inside the group, then the group ceases to function with the desire goal of advancing the FrogShway. Our aim is to make the FrogShway known to others so they can honor the patronage of beauty and the spread of joy among others. Those within the FrogShway already know and practice this.

14. ‪ Members are encouraged or required to live and/or socialize only with other group members.

No, this is not true. Members are encouraged to live and dwell within many circles of people.

15. ‪ The most loyal members (the “true believers”) feel there can be no life outside the context of the group. They believe there is no other way to be, and often fear reprisals to themselves or others if they leave (or even consider leaving) the group.

FrogShway is an anti-fear movement. While we feel that FrogShway is a great way to live, we respect the ideas and practices of others; while seeking to maintain the strong boundaries and practices that make FrogShway FrogShway.