By your definition and description, capitalism itself is a cult. Advertisers spend a whole lotta time and effort trying to convince people to buy shit that they don’t really need. The tech sector trying to cram AI down everyone’s throat certainly must qualify.
I would also note that the animal ag industry exhibits this cultist behavior in trying to convince people that the atrocities it commits are OK. And trying to convince people to consume more meat than what is medically beneficial. To the point that they’ll utilize state violence to shut down dissenters.
By your definition and description, capitalism itself is a cult. Advertisers spend a whole lotta time and effort trying to convince people to buy shit that they don’t really need. The tech sector trying to cram AI down everyone’s throat certainly must qualify.
I would also note that the animal ag industry exhibits this cultist behavior in trying to convince people that the atrocities it commits are OK. And trying to convince people to consume more meat than what is medically beneficial. To the point that they’ll utilize state violence to shut down dissenters.
Society is full of cults.