Kingtho - A Philosophy of Indulgence

Comparing to groups with philosophy of separation, philosophy of purity, and philosophy of survival, Budak koleq groups tend to adopt a philosophy of indulgence. (4 philosophies of social groups).

In groups who adopt a philosophy of indulgence, a very open-minded and non judgmental attitude prevails. If an aphorism could be suggested to describe such a philosophical stance, "be and let be" would be apt. Members of such groups manifest a great indulgence towards all members of society and explicitly recognize diversity of faith and of morality. In everyday life, members who share a philosophy of indulgence tend to be socially active and to mingle with others not only to evangelize and publicized their group, but also to personally engage and contribute to the social environment they live in. When a group is influenced by a philosophy of indulgence, they show overt respect of all faiths though they firmly believe that having some form of formal "faith" is necessary.

Leadership

Leaders of groups that share a philosophy of indulgence are usually charismatic people. Their mode of relating to others is most often of a seductive nature. They possess charm and their interactions with the members of their group are characterized by warmth and understanding. Usually wary of exercising power in a domineering fashion, the leader of a philosophy of indulgence group will choose to exercise his power through persuasion, seduction and moral influence. Since the leader of such groups is identified by the members as the wisest and the most knowledgeable one of the group, his influence over both individual members and the group is very important. Represented by group members as possessing the truth, his word is accorded very high value. His main function is to guide fellow members and show by his example and his experience the road one must follow.

Membership

Members in a group influenced by a philosophy of indulgence often feel their personal worth is maximized by their membership to the group. A strong feeling of personal value is felt at having been chosen by the eader to be part of what is felt to be a most unique and prestigious group. The feeling of being part of an elite group is strong and contributes to an important, though often superficial, social cohesion within the group. Often lacking a strict formal internal organization, specific members are nevertheless identified within the group as being more important than others according to a hierarchy based on spiritual knowledge and level of personal development. Since doctrinal knowledge and personal spiritual development are the keys to gaining prestige and political power, such intellectual and spiritual activities are seen as lifelong endeavors by each and every member of such groups. Though the wish to become knowledgeable is shared by all and that, strictly speaking, any one member can become the group’s leader and spiritual guide, very few members are true contenders to leadership. Hence, the road to gaining spiritual prestige within the group is based not only on doctrinal knowledge and spiritual development but also one’s status and political alliances as much as on the quality of the competition and the strengths of one’s rivals. Harsh political infighting between members may happen in some groups depending on the power structure and the strength of the leader. Nevertheless, outwardly, an attitude of indulgence and of social harmony is sought and most often maintained. Contrarily to most other groups, communities based on a philosophy of indulgence often do not openly stereotype women’s role nor restrict their functions to domestic and family issues (?? ye ke?).

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To consciously understand koleq-boys groups (such as Kingtho) behaviourial phenomena, what other philosophy or epistemological characteristics you think these groups have in common?

Dear fellow Kingtho, please feel free to add and/or change wherever and/or whatever as you pleased so as to better reflect the reality of Kingtho (in general , budak-koleq groups) philosophy.

DBURN '8084
E88