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Cults in society
4 characteristics of religion
Four characteristics of religion
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My investigation is to investigate how do cults affect people. This investigation is related to the topic ‘Belief systems’. In this report, I will talk about what is cult, what are the features and elements that cults have, and how cults affect people from a personal perspective, national perspective, and global perspective.
Believing in something, in someone, it is in each person's freedom to choose what they have faith in. A cult is usually referred to as a social group defined by its religious, spiritual, or philosophical beliefs, or its common interest in a particular personality, object or goal. After in-depth research, the French Intelligence Agency have stated that from the perspective of sociology, the definition of cult should be a group that use of science, religion, or cure for cover, to cover up the spirit of power, control, and exploitation of believers, to eventually get its believers unconditional loyalty and obedience, and make it give up social common values (including ethics, science, citizens, education, etc). Thus, the group that believes
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They found out that cults have proprietary features. Cults all have a ‘spiritual leader’ who is the leader of the cult and all of the believers must obey. The “spiritual leader” is often still alive, and is the cult founder. The founder is either other religious leader's reincarnation, or create their own sect. For example, ‘Scientology’ using the reputation of Christianity, by saying it’s the order from Jesus and control all the action of the believers. There were some phenomena such as an earthquake, the founder will say Jesus is mad, and mind controls the believers to do cult activities. The founder was able to explain all phenomena. By using their own explanation which for people that are not faith in will know it is fake. However for people who are really into it, will believe in since the founder is their “spiritual
The cult was mainly composed of men and women both. All members had crew cuts and were between the ages of 26 and 72. Although many members lived together in a mansion in California, they came from all parts of the country. Many were from California, but members also came from Arizona, Colorado, Texas, Florida, New Mexico, Minnesota, Utah, Ohio, and Florida. There were approximatly 39 members who lived in the 1.3 million dollar Rancho Santa Fe mansion. They operated a web site for their cult called “Higher Source”.
There are numerous different kinds of social groups in the world, but clearly not all of them are cults. So what makes a cult a cult? [So where is the distinction?] Where is the metaphorical line drawn and what has to be done to cross it? Cult psychological experts Joseph Salande and David Perkins say the differences between a cult and a group are the methods of control and the negative effects on its members (Salande and Perkins 382). They define cults as “groups that often exploit members psychologically
The last technique that Applewhite used to gain his students trust was an institution of power and importance. Applewhite told his followers that he was a member of the evolutionary kingdom brought to earth in order to prepare its inhabitants for re-enlightenment; to teach them how to be saved and not “plowed under” with the others. Initiation Video: These behaviors, along with many others not discussed here, allowed Applewhite and Nettles to gain and maintain control of their followers. Behaviors such as these can be seen in practice today, not necessarily in cults, allowing us to further explore how and why cults develop.
For many decades, the cult phenomenon has fascinated the masses. A cult is an organization with deviant beliefs and practices, and is characterized by the apparent life-time membership of its participants. It seems to be very popular among troubled teenagers and adults. The psychology behind why some people are more susceptible to the charms and the lure of being in a cult is not very widely researched or understood. Many people are concerned with cultist behavior and the effect that they have on the individuals involved, believing that they have been “brainwashed” into this lifestyle. This paper deals with cult mentality and how people become involved in certain religious and secular cults. It will explore the personality traits of current and ex-cult members as well as look at case studies of members of particular cults. The format of this paper will first look at some preexisting dispositions, the psychological effects while in the cult, and any short term or long term effects upon leaving the cult, as well as some treatment options.
Society strives to feel a sense of belonging. We want to be a part of something that shares the same beliefs as us. We spend our time trying to place ourselves in a group to satisfy these needs, whether it is in a hobby club, a group of friends, or religion. Some people go to more extreme measures and find this in what we call a cult. According to Henslin, a cult is a new or different religion whose teachings and practices put it at odds with the dominant culture and religion. (2013:405) Cults are often identified with the ideas of mass murder, deviant behaviors, unusual beliefs, and extremely devoted members. Cults are also highly known for their leaders. The leaders of cults usually are the ones that portray the image for the entire group. Successful cults take a strong-minded and, according to Max Weber, charismatic leader.
The church of Scientology has been the subject of controversy since its inception. Its methods and beliefs have attracted the attention of scholars from around the world. The church has been under government investigation and has endured a countless amount of lawsuits (Reitman 14). It is also a hot topic by the media with several endorsements by some of the most recognized Hollywood celebrities. However, the main topic of debate regarding the Church of Scientology is its status as a religion. Some members claim that the church has helped them overcome their struggles and that they are happier people, while others condemn it as a dangerous cult (Sweeney). The church of Scientology is a religious group whose purpose is to retain their members with the promise of spiritual enlightenment. Its controversial history, beliefs, and practices reveal the church’s commitment to keep its members.
Cults are dangerous institutions that have existed for many years, corrupting and reforming the minds of innocent people into believing outrageous doctrines that eventually result in disaster. Horrifying cases involving men such as Charles Manson, Jim Jones and David Koresh have bewildered people and raise the question: how could individuals be easily susceptible to the teachings of these men, so influenced that masses go as far as to commit the unthinkable? Individuals who are in a vulnerable position in search for an identity are attracted to cults because they offer a sense of belonging. In addition, isolation from society contributes to the functioning of a cult for it creates an atmosphere where submissiveness and obedience runs high. These two factors seem to hold true for one of the most notorious cults currently established in the United States and Canada. The Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints or, FLDS, is an international polygamist sect that incorporates belonging and isolation along with a dangerous mentality that have resulted in the abuse of women and children in the name of God.
Cults can be dangerous as manipulative strategies are used to control large groups of people into behaviour they may not usually be comfortable with. A cult is a counterculture that is an extremist group usually lead by religion and a charismatic leader (Winner 2011:417). Counterculture is the rejection of popular norms and values and replaces them with extreme views on violence, family and loyalty (Winner 2011:417). Cult leaders often preach about religious history as they take it very seriously. Usually, these religious views guide the bizarre behaviour and conformity within the cult. Anthropologists see cults as a way for people to find self-identity and belonging within a group which they are not receiving from outside of the group.
The People’s Temple was religious cult founded and lead by Jim Jones, based in Jonestown, Guyana. The converts belonging to Peoples Temple may have joined for various reasons differing from one another, yet the one common bond they all shared was Jim Jones. They loved Jim, they feared Jim, and eventually they died for Jim .
Sociologists tend to distinguish cults from more established religious organisations based on such factors as group size, membership characteristics and types of beliefs. As the time passes, by the human's awareness is developed due to the enlightenment by the science and knowledge none of these beliefs are enough to keep the individuals in one track so that even the technology works for parting individuals from each other. The reason why do people join cults is the search for fulfilling their psychological and social emptiness.
Cults entice people whom by nature want to belong to a group and make it hard for them to leave by altering their thought processes. Those in the psychology field have defined what makes up a cult, have determined what draws individuals in and have recognized the effects that a cult can have on
The cult sacrifices innocent people for their own self-amusement to appease Satin. Both Oceania and Matamoros attempts to create a perfect society so they can carry out their immoral plans. The totalitarian leaders try to convince the followers/citizens what they want but actually they are victims of constant surveillance, and freedoms restricted.
To understand the purpose of the cult, it is necessary to understand the creator’s motives and background. Son of a former soldier and Presbyterian minister, Marshall Herff Applewhite grew up in an extremely religious household. He was born on May 17, 1931, in Spur, Texas and seemed to have led a fairly normal life before founding the religious cult.3 He was a man who had many talents: he was an opera singer, an actor, a public speaker, an academic.4 In addition, the co-leader of the Heaven’s Gate cult was described by his family to have a charismatic character and a caring soul. In a 1997 interview with CNN, his sister recalls that “[Applewhite] was always a born leader and very charismatic. He could get people to believe anything."5 She also says about his personality that "He was quite the
Obviously, religion is all over the internet. The World Wide Web allows people to get their opinions out to millions of Internet surfers. Some sites offer on-line help to religious practitioners with questions about their particular religion. Other sites are just plain fact giving information and explaining a particular type of religion. Then there are sites that try to lure you into joining their religion, and even some cults that are trying to gain new, vulnerable members. With the different ways that they present these sites, it is very easy to get caught up in them and possibly even join. The way they present them to the viewer doesn’t make them seem bad or not even close to being a cult. The sites on factual and on-line religion services don’t seem to be a problem, and I will discuss their presence on the web later on in this paper. I would now like to talk about the iss...
Throughout the world, there are many different religions. Religion is a major part of many people’s lives. Having as many religions as we do, gives us many perspectives and beliefs. In many ways, this can be beneficial, but it can also be harmful. People believe so strongly in their religions that they will do anything in order to follow it.