Has support for the McCanns and Goncalo Amaral reached cult status?

[stephen25000]

Support for the McCann family is no different from the support enjoyed by Goncalo Amaral but to infer that it is akin to a cult status is somewhat of an exaggeration.  That said however, there are fanatical individuals on both sides who pursue their individual allegiances with great fervour and passion to the exclusion of all else.

That surely cannot be healthy?

 I have observed the behaviour of both extremes on either side of the case Admin.

Can you tell me where fanaticism starts or begins. They can be  viewed as cults all too easily. I am not referring to one given forum per se, but to the behaviour which has become cleary discernible in this case.

I do not belong to any group, and my opinions are my own.

They may or may not be shared by others.

We also have to consider what was said at Leveson.

I will come back to this tomorrow.

[Mr Gray]

neither amaral or mccann supporters could be described as being a cult and any suggestion that they are is totally ridiculous

[Mr Gray]

i think stephens talk of cults shows how poorly he understands the situation

[stephen25000]

i think stephens talk of cults shows how poorly he understands the situation

I understand the situation very clearly.

Make no mistake about that.

[Mr Gray]

I understand the situation very clearly.

Make no mistake about that.

no you dont

[carlymichelle]

i personally  dont think it is healthy for  mcann supporters to be so dedicated  to  the mcanns the mcanns are adults and can defend themselves  as  can GA   everybodys intrest  should be   maddie she  IS the  victim  and she  gets forgotten  by all the focus on the adults

[Admin]

There is no doubt that the activities of some supporters can be viewed as fanatical, obsessive, devoted and infatuated, even radical, but that is not in the least unusual or surprising given the power of social media these days.

A cult following is a group of fans who are highly dedicated to something even having a small but very passionate fanbase. A common component of cult followings is the emotional attachment the fans have to the object of the cult following, often identifying themselves and other fans as members of a community.

Certainly I prefer the label cult follower to that of troll.

[G-Unit]

There is no doubt that the activities of some supporters can be viewed as fanatical, obsessive, devoted and infatuated, even radical, but that is not in the least unusual or surprising given the power of social media these days.

A cult following is a group of fans who are highly dedicated to something even having a small but very passionate fanbase. A common component of cult followings is the emotional attachment the fans have to the object of the cult following, often identifying themselves and other fans as members of a community.

Certainly I prefer the label cult follower to that of troll.

How do you think the power of social media encourages fanatical, obsessive, devoted and infatuated, even radical behaviour?

I'm neither a cult follower nor a troll; both are labels bestowed by others. Which is preferable? Cult members seem to be characterised by a somewhat blinkered belief in something or someone. They reject any alternative viewpoints completely. A troll is a troublemaker who disrupts forum discussions for their own amusement.  Neither are anything to be aspired to imo.

[Erngath]

i personally  dont think it is healthy for  mcann supporters to be so dedicated  to  the mcanns the mcanns are adults and can defend themselves  as  can GA   everybodys intrest  should be   maddie she  IS the  victim  and she  gets forgotten  by all the focus on the adults

You do seem to spend an inordinate amount of time of your own life in the campaign.

[stephen25000]

Cults have a tendency to believe that only they know the truth, and therefore hold the moral high ground.

Now, that sounds all too familiar in this case.

[carlymichelle]

imo i think mcann supporters are too devoted to the mcanns i make no  secret of that  also   im not  a  GA supporter he is a grown  man and is entitled   to  his opinion and can  have his opinion  i didnt  donate to him though   

[ferryman]

Support for neither the McCanns nor Amaral has reached 'cult status'.

There are those who believe in the rule of law (McCann-supporters) and there are those who uphold the 'right' of citizens to trample rough-shod over the rule of law (Amaral-supporters); precious little in between (so far as I can judge).

[Lace]

I replied to give my opinion of you Stephen,  who is so wound up that people support the McCann's you have to wonder why.    My reason is simple,  they are innocent,  Madeleine is out there somewhere and needs to be found and the person who took her brought to justice. 

[stephen25000]

I replied to give my opinion of you Stephen,  who is so wound up that people support the McCann's you have to wonder why.    My reason is simple,  they are innocent,  Madeleine is out there somewhere and needs to be found and the person who took her brought to justice.

You don't know who is innocent or not in this case.

Madeleine will not be found alive. That has been my prediction as it has others for years.

You type 'needs to be found'.

That is part of the mccann mantra we have heard from the mccanns, and completely meaningless.

[Lace]

You don't know who is innocent or not in this case.

Madeleine will not be found alive. That has been my prediction as it has others for years.

You type 'needs to be found'.

That is part of the mccann mantra we have heard from the mccanns, and completely meaningless.

Your prediction?   well that is hardly one you can be proud about is it?    Everyone knows she may be dead Stephen,  and in all likelihood she is,  but until she is found no one knows for sure.

Madeleine does need to be found,  as any missing child needs to be found,  how is that meaningless?   I find your response very odd,  if a child disappeared in the UK expected of being abducted,  would you say that finding this child is meaningless?  tell that to all the parents of the missing.