Self-denial can lock women into a smug and critical condescension to other, less devout women.According to Appel, cult members develop..."an attitude of moral superiority, a contempt for secular laws, rigidity of thought, and the diminution of regard for the individual." A premium is placed on conformity to the cult group; deviation is penalized. "Beauty" is derivative; conforming to the Iron Maiden [an intrinsically unattainable standard of beauty that is then used to punish women physically and psychologically for failure to achieve and conform to it] is "beautiful." The aim of beauty thinking, about weight or age, is rigid female thought. Cult members are urged to sever all ties with the past: "I destroyed all my fat photographs!"; "It's a new me!
Naomi Wolf
Naomi Wolf
Feminist, journalist, and conspiracy theorist

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About Naomi Wolf

Naomi Wolf was a contemporary American feminist, journalist, and conspiracy theorist. Naomi Rebekah Wolf is an American feminist author, journalist, and conspiracy theorist. Read more on Wikipedia →

Themes

  • Beauty — Appreciating aesthetics, grace, and the sublime

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