Is marching band a cult?
here’s a list from site link
The group displays an 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.
the band directors word is law
Questioning, doubt, and dissent are discouraged or even punished.
maintain morale, don’t question anything or complain, especially leadership
Mind-altering practices (such as meditation, chanting, speaking in tongues, denunciation sessions, or debilitating work routines) are used in excess and serve to suppress doubts about the group and its leader(s).
questionably applicable… it is very hard work but the goal is not suppression
The leadership dictates, sometimes in great detail, how members should think, act, and feel (e.g., members must get permission to date, change jobs, or marry—or leaders prescribe what to wear, where to live, whether to have children, how to discipline children, and so forth).
yeah absolutely. They tell us how to act and think and NO TOUCHING and professional learning environment and all that
The group is elitist, claiming a special, exalted status for itself, its leader(s), and its members (e.g., 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).
The group has a polarized, us-versus-them mentality, which may cause conflict with the wider society.
you cannot tell me the band doesn’t have this mindset about cheer and other sports kids
The leader is not accountable to any authorities (unlike, for example, teachers, military commanders, or ministers, priests, monks, and rabbis of mainstream religious denominations).
ok but is the band director actually held accountable
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 (e.g., lying to family or friends, or collecting money for bogus charities).
eh not really unless you count exercise lol
The leadership induces feelings of shame and/or guilt in order to influence and control members. Often this is done through peer pressure and subtle forms of persuasion.
not really unless you’re late
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.
band camp. You’re never home. Debatably applicable
The group is preoccupied with bringing in new members.
have you seen our recruitment efforts? We’re not good at it but we’re trying very hard
The group is preoccupied with making money.
it’s expensive to run a band! And we need new uniforms eventually! So yes
Members are expected to devote inordinate amounts of time to the group and group-related activities.
Members are encouraged or required to live and/or socialize only with other group members.
I mean no one says it out loud but yeah kinda
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.
there is no leaving marching band
