MKO Destructive Cult Article Summary

Cults can be evil and mind controlling. They can also be extremely dangerous. According to Rick Ross, an expert consultant and intervention specialist, “there are several signs of a potentially unsafe group or leader.” These signs include: “absolute authoritarianism without meaningful accountability; there is no legitimate reason to leave, former followers are always wrong in leaving, negative or even evil; followers can never be good enough; and the group or leader is the exclusive means of knowing the truth or receiving validation, no other process or discovery is really acceptable or credible.” Cult leaders use mind control to control their group. This could be dangerous or life threatening. Leaders are

When one hears of a cult, one thinks of organizations such as the Church of Scientology, the Jehovah’s Witnesses, and small fanatical groups such as the Assembly of God. According to Robert J. Lofton, author of Letters to an Elder, there are two kinds of cults; those that use mind-control, and those that do not. Lofton describes eight characteristics of destructive mind-control cults, saying, “If any group exercises all eight of these control elements, they are, in fact a destructive mind control cult”. Lofton’s characteristics are ‘Environmental Control’, ‘Mystical Manipulation’, ‘Demand for Purity’, ‘Cult of Confession’, ‘Sacred Science’, ‘Loading the Language’, ‘Doctrine over Person’, and ‘Dispensing of Existence’. These eight

Nowadays when people hear the word “Cult” they immediately think of brainwashing, bombings, murders, and people who have turned away from our society. This is primarily because of what has happened with cults in

Still, in our society, there are certain insane cults in the name of religion but they don’t have any importance in the society. So, these are considered as the non-religious cults that won’t give any positive impacts in the society. Now, here are mentioned the 10 non-religious cults that would help you to get familiar with the real facts:

The history surrounding cults is not as simple as one might think. Cults raise a

Ever since we were little, our parents, guardians, or even ourselves grew up to know the difference in between was would be considered peversive and what isn’t. Many people find it difficult to understand how people can be so devoted to a religion or something that can’t be scientifically proven, but the real question is how can a normal resident be allured by cults. A religious cult may be well known to us as a religious imposter who claims to lead the way to salvation and a lifespan of well being filled with blessings and free of the damnation a disease may bring, only because he or maybe even she may claim that he was sent from the heavens to the filthy earth. People who are believers in a omipitent kind believe this to be a ludicrous idea ,

Cults are just simply new religions or as Donald Stone reports in the text, “emergent religions”. They offer friendship and a social connection of like –minded people and offer people a place to make this connection. As older religions grow and change, new sects may break off in either disagreement or as a way to return the religions to its roots. Members of these new religious groups come from very different walks of life, countries or just different regions but they have a new purpose, restoring the traditions or returning back to the fundamentals of the religion. Many of these new religions are centered on college campuses and about 10 % of the population join the cult and remain in it for about two years. (Diem p16) An interesting note is that many of the new members

With the advancements in the study of social sciences, there has been a somewhat parallel growth of cults which though have their foundations in the original Bible and the Christian teachings, yet one may observe that the majority of the present day cults not only deny the essential doctrines, they openly emphasize and present their own personal reinterpretations of the biblical scriptures. The following paper will present two such cases, those of Christian Science and the Mormons, and strive to present some of the comparative elements, their beliefs, customs, religious ceremonies and leadership aspects.

Cults have existed throughout history since the beginning of time. A cult is defined in Webster’s dictionary as a “system of religious worship with a devoted attachment to a person, principle, etc.” Over the past thirty years numerous religious cults have caused “ tens of thousands to abandon their families, friends, education’s, and careers to follow the teaching of a leader they will never meet”(Beck 78).

Such media depictions have definitely contributed to strengthening stereotypes of cults as being “dangerous” and “criminals.” A recent media coverage from CBC news featured a news director who deliberately participated (went undercover) in the Winnipeg Twelve Tribes community for six weeks with the intention to investigate the community regarding the child abuse allegations (Welch 2014). In his report for CBC he shared some pictures of thin sticks that “he believes the Twelve Tribes members use to discipline Children” (Welch 2014). In his article, Welch mentions that he disagrees with the group’s policy regarding child discipline, however he also identifies some positive aspects of the community (Welch 2014). He witnessed a stronger bonding between parents and their children as they spend more time together

Sociologists view cult behavior as a deviance from society’s norm. There are many theories as to why a cult leader forms a cult and how they garner such complete blind devotion from their members. While researching Jim Jones and The Peoples Temple I discovered that this particular cult adhered to several of the proven theories. Jones had few societal bonds and used fear and intimidation to control his members. He was an extreme socialist turned communist; when his original goals were met with resistance, he chose the path of rebellion, which was to reject society’s goals and seek to provide his own goals and means to accomplish them (Henslin, 2015).

There is no exact, unified definition of a cult. Some people even believe that a cult isn’t a religious group. How I feel I could describe a cult is as follows. I feel a cult is negative for the outsiders and people that distance themselves from a cult after joining one for a while. But I feel that a cult is a very positive place for someone who is loyal and cooperative to the said cult. People change to the absolute extreme when joining/entering the cult. Any family member who is not part of the cult is to be banished from the Scientologist part of the family--never to be talked to again. If you’re a part of said cult, and you would like to not be part of the cult or any of cult activities, you are banished from any family members in the cult, and any friends in the cult. When you leave a cult, you are blackmailed to the point where some have left wherever they’re living at the time. They believe that they have to show how everyone is so happy. In a cult, they basically control every single thing they do, or that is how I feel as an outsider. Cults send members to recruit others, as said before, and the so-called recruiters are always so positive when talking about the cult they have joined and the cult they would like you you join. Once you join a cult, you are controlled to everything you do.

The Aftermath Leaving a cult in the first place can prove to be a rather difficult task. When it does happen, more obstacles are presented, and oftentimes in the form of psychological damage. It is important to understand that many cults, especially the extremist ones, rely on a brainwashing individuals to have them join the group, and leaving this conditional manipulation can have many negative effects. Singer (1979), in her article Coming Out of Cults, finds some common symptoms in ex cult members.

Groups such as the Masons, the Church of Scientology, and political parties can be considered cults that share different ideologies. In addition, cults have the ability to influence society in terms of changing an individual’s perspective on certain things. Furthermore, people seem to show a strong interest in the mysteries behind cults despite the dangerous aspect of joining a cult. Over the years, the number of individuals joining cults has increased. To understand this a bit more, Dr. Adrian Furnham wrote an article on Psychology Today titled “Why Do People Join Cults?” In the article, Dr. Furnham argues the motives behind joining a cult, the different characteristics of a cult, and the misconceptions that individuals have in their initial encounter with a cult.

Cults can be classified as destructive, considering the methods used and how membership affects individuals. According to the International Cultic Studies Association or ICSA, cults can be considered destructive to its members. Reports form former cult member’s reveals that they have trouble trusting others, problems forming and maintaining relationships, and feel disconnected with the world. In addition, former cult members report being diagnosed with depression and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or PTSD often having flashbacks of events that occurred while they were in the cult. Finally, it is important to mention that cults also cause injuries or death. Considering these reports cults can be classified as destructive because members may have a difficult time adjusting to life outside the cult, difficulties in living life