Gangs The Unrecognized Cults
Below is a MRR and PLR article in category Society -> subcategory Politics.
Gangs: The Unrecognized Cults
Summary
Few people have explored the parallels between gangs and cults.
Article
The History Channel’s series "Gangland" delves into the history and practices of various gangs like the Aryan Brotherhood, La Eme, The Hells Angels, and The Mongol Nation. A common trait among these groups is the "blood in, blood out" principle, where members must commit violence to join and often face a fatal exit.
After watching, it becomes evident that these gangs function as a form of cult. What sets these groups apart is their overt embrace of violence and illegal activities.
What Gangs Offer Their Members
These gang-cults provide certain elements that are typical of functional cults:
- A Sense of Family: Members find a communal bond that feels like a surrogate family.
- Unique Identity: Joining a gang gives individuals a sense of being special and unique.
- Feelings of Superiority: Members often develop a belief in their group's superiority.
- A Special Place: The gang offers a safe haven and a community.
- Rewards: Members can gain wealth, drugs, sex, and freedom, as well as an outlet for their talents.
- Sustainability: Even if a leader is removed, the gang continues, maintaining structure and purpose.
Unlike religious cults, the focus of gang allegiance is not a deity or leader but the gang itself. This engenders a powerful sense of brotherhood and camaraderie.
Leadership and Values
Gang leaders differ from typical cult leaders as their values lie in protection and camaraderie rather than divine reverence or ego. Despite this, their personal needs are still met.
Commitment and Isolation
Acts of violence deepen a member's commitment in two ways:
1. Concrete Commitment: These acts demand absolute dedication to the group, which is often rewarded with celebrations and camaraderie, akin to what cult experts call "love bombing."
2. Societal Alienation: Such acts also isolate the individual from mainstream society, enhancing their identification with the gang.
Interestingly, some cults supposedly perform "sealing ceremonies," where children witness a staged murder to instill fear and enforce loyalty.
Loyalty and Symbols
A core principle of these gangs is "we protect our own," fostering a deep mutual loyalty. Members are marked by tattoos and specific attire that signal their affiliation, further binding them to the group and setting them apart from society. This is reminiscent of how the Mormon community insulated itself by practicing polygamy and relocating to Utah.
Initiation and Identity
Joining a gang requires initiation, which could be a ritual or enduring a 13-second beating?"possibly referencing the letter "M" for Mexico in Latin gangs. Initiates learn exclusive hand signals and lingo, reinforcing the gang’s unity and defining outsiders.
The idea of linking gangs to cults is intriguing and not widely explored, offering a fresh perspective on their function and appeal.
You can find the original non-AI version of this article here: Gangs The Unrecognized Cults.
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