Choosing to believe in one set of imaginary friends over another- or none- is most certainly a hobby by every definition.
It is not essential for life.
It is not required by law.
People willingly choose and actively continue choosing to engage in the activities in their free time, and report positive feelings from doing so.
When doubts arise, other members of the cult try hard to sway them to stay, often using threats.
That’s a hobby. And a cult.
That’s the in, you can’t get out of a belief system like that. It’s a big deal. Hobbies are not rule-binding and you can leave or return to them at any point. They can’t be both. A hobby and a cult don’t ever mix, also how many times does a cult demand that the adherents leave some of their life behind?
They said hobbies not belief systems.
For a lot of people, when you look at how they spend their time, it is clear that their religion is both their belief system AND their hobby.
Think of the “Bible study” types. They’ve turned it into a hobby-like activity. Some I knew growing up clearly had nothing else. It was their hobby.
It’s not a hobby. They’re practicing their faith…it’s such a huge difference.
Choosing to believe in one set of imaginary friends over another- or none- is most certainly a hobby by every definition.
It is not essential for life. It is not required by law. People willingly choose and actively continue choosing to engage in the activities in their free time, and report positive feelings from doing so. When doubts arise, other members of the cult try hard to sway them to stay, often using threats. That’s a hobby. And a cult.
That’s the in, you can’t get out of a belief system like that. It’s a big deal. Hobbies are not rule-binding and you can leave or return to them at any point. They can’t be both. A hobby and a cult don’t ever mix, also how many times does a cult demand that the adherents leave some of their life behind?