August 21, 2008
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The Cult Status of Thetheologianscafe
I received a message yesterday and here is part of it:
“I am sure you would have made it either way, you don’t have
subscribers, you have followers…….your readers are like a Xanga Cult.”I have received message describing my site like a cult before.
The thing is I don’t really understand how someone would see it that way. If anything, I think my site is full of independent thinkers. I think I am one of the few sites that has a ton of people that subscribe to me that would say they really don’t personally like me that much. I am a conservative Christian yet if you ask the people who comment on my site what they are, they continually show themselves to be slanted to the left.
I sometimes feel like I am one of the few people on my site that actually believes that the Bible is the literal word of God.
If you go to a typical site, it is nothing more than a group of people that agree with each other on most issues. If you look at my site, you will find homeschooling mothers who breastfeed their child until they are 3-4 all the way to those who worship satan. You have Christians, Muslims, black, whites, Asians and one or two Jews.
The idea of a cult is that they would either gather around the same concept or person and I don’t think you could get the people on my site to agree to anything. In fact, I think the people that comment on my site show an unusual diversity of thinking. People openly disagree with me on my site and will even send me nice little messages telling me what an idiot I am.
As far as getting 1000 comments in one day, that comes with having 8000 subscribers and using that little tag feature.
Do we have a cult like status on thetheologianscafe?
Comments (152)
yes. people fight to be first here. suprised it hasn’t lead to a riot yet…
I kind of use you as a news feed. You’re on top of things!
Nope. I’m proof.
Nah
If I said yes, then that would make me a member…since I subscribe to you.
Holy shit, that is the highest I’ve ever gotten to comment, Dan! I’m thrilled.
A cult requires a sort of leader. You’re not, really. You just provide odd and interesting news and ask an opinion. That’s all.
I made a cult, once. It was called “The Faith” and it was based upon the joy of drinking Diet Pepsi Jazz drinks. I’m not even kidding.
You have Christians, Muslims, black, whites, Asians and one or two Jews.
Hey Dan you forgot the Hillbilly’s and Nuns………….when I grow up I wanna have a big folowing like you…….wait I am already over the hill……..
*worships dan*
I don’t think cult is the right word. You have followers, though.
Not at all. I enjoy your free-thinking ways of annoying people.
Yea I dont think its a cult. It’s more like people of various backgrounds getting together and commenting on something you have to say. I guess people happen to like your site…
Lol, well I suppose it depends on which of your subscribers you ask…
nope
I don’t know if you would necessarily call it a cult, but I would definitely say you have a loyal and faithful following. And you definitely have the handle on diverse! Whatever you are or aren’t doing, keep it up. It seems to work for you1
Ha, NO WAY. I definitely don’t agree with everything you do! People who say that are just jealous, me thinks. (Don’t shoot me!)
Nope your site is actually xanga’s main forum. Far from being a cult, it is more of a meeting place.
I don’t think it’s a cult. FTR I notice people agree with each other because they are scared of getting bXtched at for opposing the popular opinion. It may not be how they really feel.
Nope!
Dear Dan,
I wouldn’t think of your site as a “cult” at all. You don’t “promote” any specific way of thought or belief system. You merely ask questions and inspire dialogue.
Most Xangans have a coterie of about 20-30 actual friends or readers. They don’t have the thousands of subscribers you do. Sometimes reading the comments on your blog is much more interesting than reading the entry itself.
I’d say you provide a “Xanga public service”. You don’t have a cult, not by a long shot, although perhaps there are “cultish” or “cliquish” types who visit and comment. I’ve always thought that your blog encompasses the “cross section ” of Xanga culture, and I still wish there were some way of gauging the responses you get in mathematical terms.
Michael F. Nyiri, poet, philosopher, fool
I get my crazy news from you.
And I happen to be a person that does believe in the Bible. I have my religious issues, but I happen to have read it all the way through and believe what some of the teaching are.
Yes, Dan. I sacrificed a goat just this morning.
“I sometimes feel like I am one of the few people on my site that actually believes that the Bible is the literal word of God.”
You sound like Elijah.
maybe agreeing to disagree qualifies everyone who comes here as a cult member.
Nope
Well I don’t know about everyone else here but I for one have one of those mass produced Dan The Theologian bobble head dolls on my dashboard. If that isn’t cult status, I don’t know what is.
Um.
No!
nah
I just use you for your traffic…
To be quite honest.
this post reminded me of a quote.
“And though I am a committed Christian, I believe that everyone has the right to their own religion. Hindu, Jewish, or Muslim. I believe there are infinite paths to accepting Jesus Christ as your personal savior.” – Steven Colbert
ahaha…
No.
Well… it is interesting that your readers take a certain amount of flack just for coming here.
They call us sheep. Poodles. Groupies. We’re accused of “jumping through [your] hoops.”
Yet we keep coming here. At first for me it was very much a community thing. It seemed everyone on Xanga was here, so I wanted to play too. Your site was a constant when I was new to Xanga and I loved having someplace I could depend on.
After I got to know you, I put your site in the bin of “sites I like to visit regularly because I like the blogger.”
“Cult” is a strong word. But not everyone understands what people have going on here. It’s still a community thing.
Cult? No, I don’t think so. Not to me. I certainly don’t worship at your feet, kiddo. And you are hardly deity material–you eat, sleep, breathe, potty, and fark up just like all of us.
Cult? LOL I think that person has you confused with Obama.
NO WAY.
A cult is a bit extreme.
I don’t think you’re feeding us any of your conservative ideals…all the time
hahaha, i don’t there are enough BATSHIT CRAZY commenters here to confirm that assertion
The person that left that message is a hypocryte. In order for that person to make that assumption, they would have to be a faithful reader.
@wherethefishlives - So do I.
All Serve Dan, Must Serve Dan, All Serve Dan………..
All Serve Dan, Must Serve Dan, All Serve Dan…………
All Serve Dan, Must Serve Dan, All Serve Dan…………..
All Serve Dan, Must Serve Dan, All Serve Dan……….
nope, I totally swim against my culture.
Meh. Not really. I just like knowing what’s going on in the world and actually participating in some intelligent discussion every once and awhile.
So I wasn’t supposed to get you effigy tattooed on my bum?
We’re not worthy! We’re not worthy! We’re not worthy!
I agree with Paige. Your site is more like the Xanga community forum. Heck, Xanga should be paying you
No. Popularity is not a cult.
And I’m with you on the Bible, don’t forget.
I just like to voice my opinion and you are always there with a new post everyday. P.S. I don’t find you anywhere close to be conservative. Showing naked pictures of women breasts and asking inappropriate questions relating to sex is not exactly what I have in mind when comes to being conservative Christian. In fact, you are kind of naughty.
cult – no. you’ve just got the best xanga around.
i think of this as the news + book discussion haha
There are other definitions of cult status. Movies like Donnie Darko, The Big Lebowski, and Blade Runner are called “cult films.” Websites like Homestarrunner are considered to have a cult following and shows like Arrested Development. I’d say by that definition this site does have a cult following.
I’m ready to drink the kool aid.
no
cult ring leader. TELL ME WHAT TO DO! i am lost
naw we got a lot of crazy nut jobs
@Asthma_is_Sexy - LMAO!
No.
Na, I’m with you on this one.
It seems like the only reason some people comment is to disagree.
haha,this is the funniest thing i have read all day. Do you ever tell the people to look up the word cult Dan?
Did you know that your dog has morals? *drinks Kool Aid*
No. The people who think that are morons.
Naw!
They are just PLAYAH HATERS!
Xo
Definitely not.
your schtick works: asking open questions with no sermon or rhetoric preceeding the question. you present yourself as a person interested in all thought and opinion – so all types feel free to participate. it’s fun.
Naaa.no cult here! You invite people to express their opinion, and since we all love to do that, we all subscribe.
wow, that’s pretty funny. I’d say you are entertainment for me. Daily entertainment to see how you’ll spark a controversy next. LOL! But a cult? No, I would have to say that is not how I see this. Oh, and as long as you’re saying… count me in on believing the Bible is God’s Word.
I don’t think so b/c you don’t tell us anything about what to believe.
I’ve never thought of you as a cult, Dan. I know we share some of the same beliefs, but I know we also disagree on a few others. Personally, I like your site because I got to know a little about you when you were on “Xanga TV” and I like being able to give my two cents when I think it is appropriate. I wonder what the total would be for everybody’s two cents?
In the main, you’ve done okay. You’ve provided – without trying to direct how people should think – a good cross section of provoking questions. They’ve often been questions that have shown not the idiocy of the guy who set them – yourself – but the stupidity and weirdness of the world we live in.
Conservative Christian? Oh no brother, we’re not having that. Leave it out with the conservative. The “conservative” prefix is gone, lost forever, destroyed by the great Danium ass and tit crusade of 2008. Good riddance to it. Christ was not conservative, and the word Christian neither needs nor suits such a prefix, nor the useless prudery that usually goes with it.
Cult status? We regret we must reject your application at this time. You have not yet been described as an “evil cult,” and may re-apply at such time as you are.
HA!HA!HA! I cult leader would not be pissing his followers off on purpose like you do Dan. It’s just a place to come when you are REALLY bored! I’d rather be fishin myself
you just have tons of subbers Dan. it’s not a cult, dont be silly. i dont pray to you. pft.
I don’t think this site is a cult like thing at all-it couldn’t further from it. The race to be first is just good old fashioned fun. (competition is good for the soul..)
burp
Kind of. But I do like how everyone has varied opinions here but continues to come back. Take Revelife for example, and you see a ton of Christians argeeing with each other until the Atheists trample in and then it’s all-out war. On here it’s more…civil. I like it.
Alright, I’m one of the two Jews here *fist pump*
If we were, would I get to wear Nikes and drink poisoned kool aid?
I wouldn’t say so. Plus you’re also tolerant of all those different beliefs, which is quite un-cultlike.
Plus I always thought there were quite a few conservative Christians on here, probably comparable in number to the mad socialists and devil worshippers… then again you’ve probably paid more attention than I have.
Hmmm, a cult? No.
rofl, of course it’s not a cult! O_o i like reading your xanga cuz of the interesting news. LOL
++ cult would mean everyone agreeing and worshipping. uhmm, i think it’s more diverse than that. and most of the time, not everyone agrees with one opinion. XD
Only on days that end in ‘y’.
haha, noooo
I believe the Bible is the literal word of God!
And this is anything but a cult. Mainly all you do is copy a news artical or mention some random fact, and then ask a question based on it. You only seldomly state your own opinion on most topics, and people are all over the place in their responses. There is rarely a time when everyone agrees on one answer.
WHAT?…you have a cult…well if’n you do it is all free thinkers…you have so many different openions on so many things…how can that be a cult?…you do alright…smile
that’s a good question!
If this is a cult (that I was not aware I had joined) then does that make you the anti-christ?
If you told me to kill DMV, I would.
So now you’re the xanga cult leader? Go Dan!
@wherethefishlives - Haha same here! Quite convenient I must say.
Yeah, I would have to say news feed, but you always bring up some interesting topics…and people like to argue, so BAM, there ya go.
This is definitely not a cult, but I do find it humorous that people think it is.
Wait until somebody expose your abusive content-grabbing from a certain website that rhymes with “shark pot tom,” Then they’d just go there for their daily read. Uh oh!
peace, love, flowers, friends, hugs, fudge.
what did i tell you? people hate you because of the commentors. idiots.
Yes, you are the top performing blogger on xanga.
I have learnt a bit from your writing style. I like it. It’s effective and it pushes the reader to respond.
All Hail Dan. All Hail Dan. All Hail…
Oh, I’m sorry. You asked a question; didn’t you?
Is this site a cult? Nope. The reason so many people read and comment is because we like giving our opinions and feeling like we are heard. The questions provide a way to throw our opinions out there. Most of us anyway. Some of us like the thrill of picking an online fight and feeling smug in our obvious superiority. And the ones of us who do that do it admirably well. (Notice I don’t say which group I am in. haha)
That’s funny that you feel like your subscribers are mostly left leaning. I have always felt that you have quite a few who are right leaning. And, I don’t think those who politically lean left necessarily disbelieve that the Bible is the Word of God. I don’t disbelieve that at all. Quite the opposite, actually. Just a thought.
And I also wouldn’t say that they dislike you. Again, quite the opposite–here, anyway.
No this site isn’t a cult… it’s just a bunch of people who like to voice their opinion, debate, and argue who come from all walks of life. By the way, which one of your readers worships Satan? Is it Luciferian Satanism or LaVeyan Satanism. I’d be interested to speak with this reader who is a Satanist. I actually agree with a lot of the philosophies within LaVeyan Satanism. Or are you referring to Paganism in general, Wicca, and Witchcraft? Or are you just being your fanatical fundamentalist Christian self and deeming anyone who isn’t of the Christian religion a “Satanist?”
@darkoozeripple - “Christ was not conservative, and the word Christian neither needs nor suits such a prefix”
love this – right on
!
No way. This is the most controversial site on xanga!
omg DAN…….you actually revealed something about yourself. Im so excited! Youre a conservative Christian. Now, I know. =)
@wherethefishlives - Ditto here. I think that is probably the same for a lot of your readers, Dan. You always post interesting news.
ha ha, in a funny way – but not in a creapy way
All are welcome! All are welcome!
I’m a christian conservative, so if this was a cult, does that mean I’d be in?
The fact that you haven’t allowed me to see my family, vote, or wear pants since I joined pretty much proves your guilt.
Hah, no way. It’s the complete opposite. This is the most uncult-like site out there. You ask for our opinions instead of pushing ideas on us. Everyone seems to be stuck on their own opinion about things. I see debates going on whenever I scroll through comments. It’s just, you have so many people who enjoy answering your questions which makes it appear like you have followers.
You and your followers need to have an ideological war with Drakonskyr…but really everybody would know it was really about the limited supply of e-props.
I would say no, like others I’ve seen I read your site mostly as a quirky news update and the occasional debate.
@wherethefishlives - I do the same thing.
Funny what differing perspectives does. I have to restrain myself from reading the comments here much of the time b/c I feel like there’s such a majority of avid bible-thumpers.
As for being a cult, doesn’t that usually involve brainwashing people to believe the same things you do? You hardly ever even state your opinion on here.
hecks no.
Question – what answer is it that YOU are looking for or expecting? The thought of this being a cult never even crossed my mind, it’s far from that extreme. It’s entertaining though.
Not at all. I find your personal beliefs quaint and adorable, but I certainly don’t agree with you.
@LLKirstieBean - heee hee, good one!
yes. even if people dont like what you say, they take it seriously enough to loose their sanity without even investigating the truth. you’ve even played with that before. i’ve often found your posts… misleading when compared to the articles you link to, yet time and time again we see people arguing not using the articles and the facts as their basis, but your words. the lesbian insemination case is a perfect example. based on your word everyone got up in arms about it talking as though there was some sort of lesbian detector installed at the clinic that barred the women from even entering, when the fact is they did recieve pharmacutical treatment and counsiling there.(i mean, it was in the VERY BEGINNING of the article)
yes dan, the majority of your readers are mindless drones who try to look smart by arguing. pseudointellectuals.
It’s true. Your site controls my life!
No, I wouldn’t say that.
But it is kinda funny how sometimes the first six comments read, “FIRST!!!!”
I wonder why Drakonskyr hates that if he does leave the first comment sometimes.
No.
It’s not a cult at all.
You’re a free thinker and I always enjoy your reads. ^_^
Nope!
Oh behold our prophet, Dan
My ever dearest source of crazy news
N0PEEEEEE
CM;]
Hahaha, one or two Jews? I’m Jewish, just to up the population to, well, three.
A cult? No way. This site actually displays an astounding diversity of misguided opinions.
lol I am not subbed but I still read you. I like your questions even though I don’t always agree with your views.
If this turns out to not be a cult, I’ve been defrauded and you’ll see me in court.
I want all my money and my stuff back!
If it is, when can we move to the compound?
Please just don’t make me drink the purple juice, Jim…uh,.. I mean Dan!!
Bible = literal word of God.
&
no, I don’t think it’s a cult.
Nah, I read this as I please. It’s a good place to get news. And I don’t even like half the people here that comment, but I do love reading what they have to say. I come here exactly for the fact that everyone is different….
(fyi Dan, I’m one of the few as well
)
If there ever is a cult that can disagree all the time then yes, this would be a cult.
Hey man! You forgot the Spanish speaking people!
i dont think so …if it is i think i might just unsubscribe lol i dont like cults. lmao
no i dont think your xanga site is cult-like. i do however find you personally to be contradictory and puzzling. i’ve told you this before.
if baffles me that a father of 3, the eldest son being not much younger than me, would have as much time as you do to devote to xanga, unless you worked for the company. i can tell you for a fact that my dad does not.
also youve written many things that smack in the face of my understanding of a “conservative Christian.”
but no, i havent read anything here that would be considered “persuasive writing” that people would expect from a cult type leader.
you report.
you dont lead.
I don’t believe it’s a cult. You’re not brainwashing anyone, you aren’t saying do this or do that, and for me my life doesn’t revolve around you posting.
To me it’s more of a cafe, as your screenname suggests. I’m a thinker and I love the challenge of considering things from new and differing perspectives. If anything it’s a conversation starter.
“Cult” status? Don’t think so. I, too, am a Christian who believes the Bible is the inspired Word of God, without error. I am also conservative in my political beliefs. So you’re not alone out there. I enjoy reading your blog because you DO encourage people to think for themselves. A cult leader wouldn’t do that.
No. I define a cult this way. Christians believe in Man born in the image of God. Cultists believe in a god made in their image. (Who was it who said that God laughs at the attempts of mortal man to define him?!) That’s why jihadists, liberation theology pervaders, polygamists, witches and scientologists are cultists and not Godly people.
This site deals with issues and, as far as I’ve seen, does not attempt to define God in IT’S image. It’s merely a forum site, not a cult.
naw…you just always have interesting topics….that actually require ppl to think……
Who care’s if it really is? Just go with it! You’ll be tax exempt!
Not at all – this is what I tell people when I talk about your site – it’s full of, just as you say it, independent thinkers. It’s like a discussion. That’s why I read your site intensely and … not really any others.
Oh yes! It’s a cult lol
Lol, If I was a part of your cult, I’d have your pic as my background on my site
and I’d start posting things that would begin with”WWTD”( What would Theo do)
um, no… sounds like someone is jealous of your traffic.
@lotta_valdez - thank you
Methinks not.
um, no. that person made a false accusation. Like you said, we’re not brainwashed idiots, we’re enlightened individuals! or maybe that’s just what you want us to think…hm.
er no?
not a cult. =D
cult i think would be the wrong word. You don’t try to brain wash your readers, you ask them what they think about the issues. You don’t ask your readers to stop reading all other sites and leave their site to join in one “community” site under you. You don’t tell them to give you all their earthly possessions and yes you may have a bunch of subscribers but they chose to do that, they were tricked or forced. If this is a cult then i must have misunderstood the words definition.
Well, this is definitely not a cult. Like you said, if it were a cult we would all agree with you and follow you mindlessly… or be forced to do so.
I think the reason so many people subscribe to you is because you bring up controversial and interesting topics. People like this, because people like to argue. It’s just a fact of life… people love to state their own opinions and challenge those who don’t agree. I’ll be the first to admit, I like to do that myself.
It’s not a matter of people liking you, but rather a matter of people liking the questions you raise.
Anywho, that’s just my two cents.
Dan, I think it is important for you to know that I also believe the Bible is the literal word of God.
Not at all….you have so many people who think very differently about things, and you encourage that by your topics and questions. And yes, it’s also a great news feed! Sometimes I get the news first from you, before I see it on AOL….and definitely before I read a newspaper or see it on TV.
You have followers, but not necessarily to your way of thinking…maybe followers isn’t the right word? Readers? Responders? Commentators?
And by the way, I think there are more conservative Christians/Bible believers than you think. I am one. And I really like that we can discuss and share so many different viewpoints here, and it doesn’t turn into a big drama or flame wars. It’s truly an open dialogue with a great group of people from all walks of life.
cult? no way.
Certainly not. I agree with your assessment of your readers (does that make me a “follower” and not an “independent thinker”?) hehe
As long as you don’t mail us any kool aid I’ll be fine lol. Well your site sounds kind of like mine in a way. I love having diversity. I like when people challenge me on issues. Sure I don’t have the mass of subscribers you do but hey I don’t think we’re all that different. Well I figure I’ll join your hundreds of subscribers. lol
Far from it!