1 DREW THESE

GUYS FIGHTING
WITH MAACHIDE
GUNS...

GEORGIA OKEEFFE SAID,
“ART 15 A WICKED THIDG.
ITI6 WHAT WE ARE.”

THE BORN LOSER® by. Art and Chip Sansom

: : “
WEN | POPPED THE QUESTION * vont PRESUMPTUOUS OF YOO! (T
TO YOU 30 YEARS AGO,T WAS PENS T WAS ASKED TO GET

THE FIRST, FRSNT 17

© 1993 by NEA, Inc,

1 TREAT PROBLEMS OF KNOW...
ALIENATION)... FEELINGS OF | HWW DO f DINNER OUT,
ALONJGAIESS

MABE A MOE,

© 1993 by NEA, Inc.

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ay PEP COLLIDER” 1¢?

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“GRIZZWELLS®. by Bil Schorr
AIFE (5 A GAME !

© te) by NES, inc.

KIT 'N’ CARLYLE® by Larry Wright SNAFU®

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SUP MAY Foy,
ANYWAY? ERs

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@ 1903 by NEA, Inc.

Ti
promise

PART V: Timely considera-
tions on the subject matter
of my screenplay, Cult. The
cult leaders’ *' promise.

HEAVENS ABOVE

Sometimes the pain (see Part
IV) is quieted later when the per-
son creates a dependent marriage
or relationship, or when s/he
plunges into a struggle for a col-
lege degree or professional goal;
but for some people these milder
neurotic struggles are not enough.

Their deprivation requires more
potent relief.

Instead of an ‘independent

“self,’’ there is massive unconscious

hurt pushing toward ever-stronger
promises of relief.

Although the ends vary, the
dynamics are the same, whether it
be the Branch Davidians,
Jonestown, Moon, Synanon,
born-again conversions or
authoritarian psychotherapy.

In one form or another, the
leader's message is, ‘‘Give
yourself up to me and I will be
concerned, 1°l] protect you, guide
you, listen to you, care for you
and love you.”

Such promises wield the greatest
power on Earth. They can make
someone turn over every earthly
possession to the leader.

They can make individuals turn
against their relatives and against
every natural instinct, deprive
themselves and even kill ;
themselves for such a Icader. .

If you replace those movements
and leaders with a distinct figure,
““God,’’ you will see the same dy-
namic.

But the attraction of the cult
leader is that he is real, he is here
and can be seen and touched, and.
he will even talk to you;

This same phenomenon of need
and response sustains religion, but
organized religion is more struc-
tured and’less frenzied.

In either case, the symbolic
fulfilment of need brings pervasive
control over a follower’s actions
... control, for example, over
what one can do in bed with a
spouse, including whether one can

. wear a condom or diaphragm.

That is, indeed, control.

For thorough control, the cause
or cult must ease the most pro-
found pains, including those that
result in death fears.

It must. provide an external
purpose for living — and dying.

Both Jones and Koresh satisfied
this requirement well, even assur-
ing their followers that they would
meet in a Utopian hereafter.

Thus, behavior in cults fits into

a system of reward or punishment _

«+. just as it did for a young child
in a repressive family. -

Next week, Part VI: ‘Power.
over others is abusive.”’

May 9-15, 1993

ie cult leas

4

“cool,

ers’
of relief

ARIES (Marek 21-Apsti 29)

You can overcome a relationship
obstacle on Sunday, Arics. Communications
even better, Monday. Tuesday, you. have
fun with friends. Mid-week, associates help —
you with your vision. You embody much
psychic energy, Friday. Saturday, you are
unusually sensitive.

TAURUS (April 21-May 21)

Sunday, Taurus, honor Mum. She
Geserves it. You are for community
action, Monday. Tuesday and Wednesday,
camaraderie in workplace. Guard agzinst
stress, Thursday. Your spouse may oppose
you, Friday. Your mate may verbally a.
. lack, Saturday. This too shall pass.

TT GEMINI 1 Fs enw
late cranky, nday. Progress

work, Monday, Gemini.

* with partner, Tuesday. Headway oa “he job, job,
. Wednesday. Rest, Thursday. So-called so-

Periors like your ideas, Friday. Health sen-..
sitive, Saturday.

GX CANCER Guu 23-Joly 23).

AX) Strive, for family harmony, Sun-
day. Visits from friends, earty week. -
Unscheduled meetings, .. Wednesday. Stay
with routine, Thursday, You i inspire others,
Friday. Some conflict, Saturday. This won't
jast Song.

i

LEO (Joly 24-Ang. 23)

Avoid im buying, : Saturday,
Leo. Early - wee! origina) thinking
highlighted. Wednesday, an upheaval at :.
work, Quick, perceptive, Thursday. You see.
the big picture, Friday. Saturday, listen to
ideas of others.

VIRGO (Ang. 2A Sept 23)

A need for home 7 Sunday.
More creatively inspired, Monday. Good
news for you at home, Tuesday evening.
Opportunity for: improved _ finances, | mid-
week. Innovative, Friday. Whatever bugged
you Friday returns for seconds, Saturday. .

LIBRA (Sept. 24-Oct. 23)
owe Share goodwill toward Mum, Sun- ©
day, Libra, Pace quickens, Monday. You
enjoy good. jtuck, Tuesday. Mid-week, 2°.
child wants more freedom. Demands on ' -
your energy, Thursday. Business micetings
productive, Friday. If invited to appear ena
talk show, Saturday, do it-:

SCORPIO (Oct, 24-Nov. 22)
A. Mother's Day to . remember, °

-Scorpio. Early week, good for romance.

Stay home, Wednesday. Boss{es) impreseed,
Thursday. A psychic awakening, Friday.
Heal and be healed, Saturday. Lone Gs

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23-Bec. 21) .

Completing chores brings satisfac--
tion, Sunday, Sagittarius. Good mews about’
money, early week. Accident-prone, Wed-
nesday. Be alert. Step back,. think things
over, Thursday. Share ideas, Friday.’ Have

fun with friends, Saturday evening.

4 CAPRICORN (icc. 22-Jnn. 20) -
. Mother's Day. could | be fun,‘
Capricorn. Communications favored, cally
week. A co-worker may repay’ a loan, ©
Wednesday. A friend needs help,: Thursday.
A contest you forgot you entered could pay.
oft, Friday. Enough is enough, Saturday.
ay so!

YAY AQUARIUS (Jan. 21-Feb. 19)

Sunday is 2a ‘‘moon in Capricorn’”
Mother's Day. Traditional celebration best.
A partnership lucrative, early week. Stay
Wednesday. Thursday, demanding.
Friday, rest. Alleviate stress. Catch up on.
teading, Saturday.

PISCES (Feb. 20-March 20}

Mum appreciates your love and
company, Sunday. Cheer a Ri iend, Sunday.
Creative pursuits favored, Tuesday. Your
{uturistic ideas welcome, mid-week. Writing
favored, Friday. Dine out Saturday evening.

Robert Aiken. is an__ interna-
tionally. known astrologer/
metaphysician, therapeutic
counsellor and workshop leader of
30 years’ experience. He offers -
thorough, in-depth, substantive .
astrological’ readings, as wel! as”
empowering psychologically’ and.
metaphysically oriented counsel-:
ling - sessions. Contact: Carole:
929-4049."