I attended the first three presentations today and wanted to make some comments. First of all thankyou to all those who participated because the presentations were informative.In regards to the first presentation on People's Temple and Jonestown there was a question from the lecturer George Chryssides on their reference to brainwashing. I have to admit that I do not agree with their response and almost commented. I believe that in the majority of cases brainwashing is really an excuse to demonise the New Religious Movement and absolve the members of responsibility for having joined that NRM. Having said that I also agree with Eileen Barker's view in New Religious Movements A Practical Guide (1995) that some NRM have had malpractices including the influence that is commonly refered to as brainwashing or mind control. However, I do feel that brainwashing and mind contol are concepts that are too extreme. After all it's not as though the members are usually put in dark rooms with limited lighting where persuasive methods are applied as in previous wars which is where the concept of brainwashing originated from. On the other hand I do feel that some of the NRM I have come across whilst doing this course do have charismatic leaders who are able to influence people.
Another presentation was on Paid Work is Voluntary Servitude. I was intrigued by the concept that the philosopher Jean Jacques Rousseau introduced regarding Man Is Born Free And Evereywhere He Is In Chains. I would actually say that in todays society Man is actually born in chains. The birth has to be registered within so many weeks. A Child Benefit number is applied to the baby in order for one of the parents to claim Child Benefit. There are also other benefits such as Child Tax Credits and Child Trust Fund. The later is put in the child's name which he or she can claim once they reach a certain age. There are also benefits such as Maternity Allowance and Statutory Maternity Pay which is claimed before the baby is born. If the mother is working whilst pregnant she has to undergo a risk assessment. There are other benefits as well such as Social Fund Maternity payments and milk token etc. If the child doesn't go to school then the parents could end up in gaol. The point that I am trying to make is that the chains exist even before the child is born.
No comments:
Post a Comment