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The Cult of Leathermen
Every September groups of kinky lovers converge on San Francisco’s Folsom Street to whip each other, have sex in alleyways and display their finest leather outfits. The Folsom Street Fair has devoted and dedicated followers from all over the globe who converge on the event seeking free expression of their sexuality and their sexual behavior. Some of the more hardcore devotees, fueled by what they perceive as a toning down of the event, have opted for the more radical Up Your Alley event in July.
CULTOMETER
Uniforms: 0
Charismatic Leader: 9
Devotion of Followers: 10
Group Rituals: 6
Overall: 5.75
The Cult of O She is the messiah to millions of glaze-eyed devotees who hang on her every word. From telling followers to read her magazine—which always has her on the cover—to her ability to offer redemption from a life of fat, Oprah is one scary figure. She has amassed an army of mostly women whose lifestyle and life choices depend on her. In addition, she is blessed with the ability of Immaculate Conception by siring another being, Dr. Phil, without any sexual contact. We’re sure if Oprah commanded her devotees to stop drinking milk, the dairy industry would come to a grinding halt. She’s unstoppable and that is scary!
CULTOMETER
Uniforms: 8
Charismatic Leader: 10
Devotion of Followers: 10
Group Rituals: 9
Overall: 9.25
The Cult of the Rope With names like Money, AJ, Georgia and Boo, this local fearsome foursome has created a jump roping team to rival any others. Their skills on the rope will amaze and confound you. The Double Dutch team doesn’t have snazzy costumes but with their awesome jump roping talents, they don’t need any. Catch them at the Bumbershoot or at First Thursday in Pioneer Square.
CULTOMETER
Uniforms: 0
Charismatic Leader: 8
Devotion of Followers: 7
Group Rituals: 9
Overall: 6
The Cult of Chuck Portland based Chuck Palahniuk, the writer behind books such as “Fight Club” and “Lullaby” has—thanks to his visceral, hilarious prose and biting social satire—inspired one of the most avid, intense followings of any best-selling author working nowadays. His readings are always lively and always jam-packed, and that spirit has spilled over onto the web with his followers. The first day of each month finds Palahniuk posting personal essays on various specific topics regarding tools for better writing, each constructed with the same care and humor that distinguishes his novels. Readers are then free to ask the author questions, with the most helpful or interesting being posted by the author.
CULTOMETER
Uniforms: 0
Charismatic Leader: 9
Devotion of Followers: 10
Group Rituals: 5
Overall: 5.75
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