Is Kimkins A Cult?

I’ve blogged about the fact I think Kimkins is a cult on several occasions. That is just my observation. Although others have expressed the same sentiment.

In her latest post, Marisol gives a handy list on how to recognize a cult. Does Kimkins qualify by looking at this list? Let’s find out shall we.

How can we recognize a cult?

A fair use of the cult label for a questionable organization would require the presence of most of the items on the following checklist.

Does the group:

1. engage in deceptive recruitment practices?
2. tend to target vulnerable individuals?
3. offer unconditional affirmation and support initially, but soon make its continuance contingent on obedience?
4. have a closed social system that makes a special effort to isolate acolytes from family, friends, etc.?
5. use constant bombardment with pro-group and pro-leader messages and exclusion of other messages?
6. have a rigid, authoritarian hierarchy?
7. have a leader and ruling clique that are perceived to possess infallible insight, supernatural powers, etc.?
8. have an eclectic, often muddled and internally contradictory, set of teachings – usually a magic-laden philosophy that claims to have infallible answers to those “big ticket” questions of existence?
9. have a strict behavior code that governs all aspects of how one should think, feel, and act?
10. instill fear of outsiders (the “bunker mentality”)? Does the group try to convince members they are powerless to act without the group’s support and that the world “out there” is uncaring and hostile?

1. YES
Heidi has used false success stories since the inception of Kimkins. Not only faking her own success, but others also. Now she is still using deceptive techniques, by letting members think she is actually losing weight. Questionable viral marketing techniques have been used to promote Kimkins throughout the web.

2. YES
Who can forget the glaring headline from the Woman’s World magazine. If that is not targeting vulnerable individuals, I don’t know what is. Then you have the blatant attempts to target teenagers specifically. Knowing full well that they will be the most susceptible. You also have the continual scare tactics saying how obesity is killing you.

3. YES
This is evidenced by all the members of “Banned Camp”. No members have been banned as of late, but questioning is still frowned upon. Look how Heidi got ticked off at a member for asking why recent pics had not been posted.

4. YES
Marisol’s newest post shows this happening even now. The member is encouraged to cut off all email contact with the supposed “nay-sayers”. There by continuing to isolate her from dissenting opinions.

5. YES
Heidi makes use of frequent sock puppets to spread the word throughout the Kimpound and on the net.

6. YES
No one questions Heidi. Period. Ever.

7. YES
Despite all the fraud surrounding Heidi and Kimkins, people remain on the site. Defending the diet and Heidi.

8. YES
Can you say plan behind the plan…

Things in the Kimpound change on any given day. Although they declare never to go below 800 cals/day. The plan as written can not even provide that many calories. Not to mention the frequent encouragement to cut things further.

9. YES
No negativity is allowed. No questioning Heidi. Tracks members as they surf the web. Monitors other forums for activity from members.

10. YES
Here again this is evidenced by Marisol’s most recent post. A “us vs them” has been the battle cry from the Kimpound since it’s inception.

So there you have it folks. I guess it isn’t just my opinion anymore…..

Here are other posts relating to Kimkins Cult….

Kimkins Cult Mentality
Kimkins Cult Mentality Revisited
Kimkins – A Cult
Reinforcing the Cult
Is Kimkins a Cult?