Not all support groups are alike
Certain beliefs and customs unite, as do the rewards of ego importance and money.Most are hierarchical, some democratic, and some in between.
Some groups have "ordained clergy"- or the authority, and others do not.
Some large national groups offer memberships to individuals, or franchises to those running their divisions.
If you get the impression that it is a business model - you are right. Whatever name is given, support comes from someone somewhere.
How to Avoid the Wrong sort of Groups
There are many wonderful groups out there which encourage fellowship and growth in their members.
There are also some that are little more than a power-trip for some self-appointed "leader," or their minions with a personal agenda. The later kind survive largely by attracting naive and impressionable new members. The following tips may help you.
Don't confuse an organization within a religion with the religion itself.
The Catholic or any other Church is not "Christianity". You can quit the Catholic Church and become a Baptist or another denomination, and still be Christian, and be OK.
You really don't need to join anything or profess in any sort of formal ceremony to be of a belief.
Before joining a group, ask questions about why a group holds a particular belief, or how it continues to fund itself.
Don't assume that just because someone has a fancy title, or presents well they know what they're talking about, and certainly don't assume that they are trustworthy. The most foolish of humans will use titles to lend themselves legitimacy, and importance.
Think of your most un-favourite banker or politician.
Avoid any group that pressures you to formally join before you're ready to make that decision on your own. They are showing you, that they need you more than you need them. You must maintain, or quickly develop the impression you are not their prey. it doesn't stop you needing them, or using or supporting their values if you agree with them.
Take it slow, don't take a life-long oath to a large organization! Think about it for a minute. If you take an oath to an individual, that person is directly accountable to you, whereas an organization is not accountable for its actions.
Sadly that is a major organizational methodology - work, courts, churches, gangs, etc, etc, etc.
High ranking members can and will pass the buck down to the weakest, and avoid responsibility for decisions made by "the group"
How to Make Initial Contact
Firstly, compartment your life, not every person can be trusted with all facets of your life. Your body, your money, your physical health, your emotional life, your car, your pets. your partner, assets, and so on. You get the picture, every other person has one or more weaknesses.
If you can watch for a while. Notice who is saying what and whether you agree with their general philosophy. Some will reveal themselves as on an ego-trip, or in more need than you.
Talk or write privately to the people you respect, and ask for their recommendations for local or national groups. Get several opinions, with specific questions.
If most of the people you respect point you in the same direction, you've probably found a group worth trying.
Chat to a representative of that group. and explain who recommended them and why you are interested in joining. If they sound OK, after a couple of times, the group might be worth attending until your needs are met,
pic courtesy of pdpnet-Piotr Siedlecki
