The ‘Big Lie’ serves a number of purposes within a cult beyond simply convincing gullible members of its veracity. It also:
Separates cult members from no-believers in the lie, since the lie is so outlandish, it is so far from accepted reality, it creates a barrier of embarrassment and interpersonal conflict with outsiders.
It provides a weapon to enforce cohesion and adherence to the cult leader’s pronouncements. Any member who dares to disagree, or dispute the big lie is ostracized and shunned by fellow cult members.
This serves both to keep their potentially disruptive views from spreading, but at least as importantly, this punishment serves as a warning to other cult members of the fate that awaits those who think independently.
As difficult as it can be for anybody to counter a belief accepted by one’s peers, it is a true profile in courage, when these peers are fully invested in categorically disproven lies, and worship the con man who promulgates them.
I am not a fan of this Liz Cheney, but I tip my hat to her today.
