Bushistas: Displaying CULT behavior?

[Bluebear]

How many of these cult characteristics pertain to Bush & his followers?

1. It uses psychological means to retain its members. Special privilege for the leader and "inner circle" because of the "chosen" status.

2. It forms an elitist totalitarian society. Exclusive membership and a "you’ll miss out if you don’t get involved" mentality. ("You're either with us or against us"?)

3. Its founder leader is self-appointed, dogmatic, messianic, not accountable and has charisma.

4. Divine instruction coming from a deity source, only given to that particular group usually through channeling or 'divine inspiration'.

5. It believes 'the end justifies the means' in order to solicit funds and recruit people.

6. Channeled or divinely inspired messages are always annouced as to save/help mankind.

7. Groups can change/stop future cataclysmic events or ascribe cataclysmic events to a lack of faith.

8. Repetitious appeals/prayers/incantations recited daily.

9. Group is usually grandly named such as Heavens Gate, Branch Davidians, The Core Council.

10. Initiates will receive protection from deities races if they maintain membership in the group and do as instructed by the leader.

11. Its wealth does not benefit its members or society. Its top wealth is reserved for its top "tier".

12. Due to the instinct for truth in human nature, absolute lies are not as effective as some people think. Therefore, half-truths and quarter-truths are used. You can then make people believe almost anything.