I was chatting with a colleague the other day about a book I reviewed for an academic journal when Lewis R. Rambo’s name came up (one of the books drew rather heavily on some of his research). As soon as Dr. Rambo’s name came up, my colleague told me he had to recount a story about Dr. Rambo. For those who didn’t follow the link above, Dr. Rambo is a pastoral psychologist (he’s most well-known in my circles for his research on conversion). Apparently one of my colleagues close friends had taken some classes from Dr. Rambo. On the very first day of the very first class on pastoral psychology the friend took with Dr. Rambo, this was the very first thing Dr. Rambo said, “Rule #1: Don’t fuck the flock.”
Sounds like good advice. He also gets points for being succinct.    🙂
Rule #1.a As this is likely irresistible, bring flowers and use KY.
Rambo:
I also seek to articulate the nature of the human predicament in the light of the human sciences. Given our human vulnerability, we often use our rational capacities for self-justification, denigration of others, and the creation of systems of thought that sacralize or institutionalize our own perspectives.
Eric Hoffer:
All mass movements avail themselves of action as a means of unification. The conflicts a mass movement seeks and incites serve not only to down its enemies but also to strip its followers of their distinct individuality and render them more soluble in the collective medium.
Typically, charismatic religious movement involve sexual relations between the founder and his or her flock.
May be, that’s why most religious movements cannot persevere.