Cults Essay

many characteristics that classify it as a cult rather than any other new religious movement, and it will hold that classification unless it undergoes some serious structural changes. By looking at this group through the lenses of different theories pertaining to cult classification, I am confident in saying that this group meets enough qualifications to put it into the ‘cult’ grouping. The Family is a new religious movement that I am defining as a cult. It hits on all the qualifications concerning

Cults and Their Leaders      For many years, cult leaders always had a psychological hold on their followers' minds. Whether it was to kill other people or to kill themselves, they did it without question. Some cult leaders used fear, violence and guilt as a means of a weapon to control the minds of their followers. Other cult leaders used persuasive and spiritual speeches that made their followers believe they were doing good and fulfilling God's plan. Because cult leaders are powerful through

there has been a lot of controversy pertaining to cults. A majority of people would like the groups banned or restricted for a majority of reasons. The controversies are in regards to religious freedom against potential danger. Religious cults are protected by our freedom of religion rights and should be allowed to exist unless they involve harmful, destructive actions. Cults are defined as unorthodoxed mainstream religious practices. The cult stereotype, characterizes these religious bodies as

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

Now that the foundation of the general nature of cults and cult leaders has been set down, the next step to understanding cults is to understand just who joins them, or who is the most likely to join a cult. The most recent information that specifically attempts to shed light on this issue stems from a study conducted in late 1986, in which it was stated that the most successful time to recruit individuals for cults is the range of 18-23 years of age (Wright & Piper, 1986). Wright and Piper argue

A cult is a group of sadistic people that harm and take advantage of young, innocent people that are ripped away from their families and into a cold, dangerous world. There are many questions as to are cults really harmful. Cult leaders have many persuasive ways to trick you into believing their beliefs and their twisted ways of life. One common way that cult groups usually do is they pick out the most innocent and lonely victim. Then they make you feel comfortable and welcome and raise you on a

A cult is defined as a social group or a social movement under one charismatic leader. It maintains a belief system, which includes a transformation of a group member. Members of the group have a high level of commitment to the leader, members, and beliefs (Lalich). An additional definition to consider is from the American Journal of Psychotherapy: …groups that often exploit members psychologically and/or financially, typically by making members comply with leadership’s demands through certain types

CULTS I.     Introduction      Thesis: The forces that draw individuals into cults can be explained by           psychological doctrine. II.     What is a cult A.     Brief description B.     Types of cults 1.     religious 2.     psychotherapy or personal growth 3.     political

Religious Cults - A Threat to Society? On November 18, 1978, in a cleared-out patch of the Guyanese jungle, Reverend Jim Jones ordered the 911 members of his flock to kill themselves by drinking a cyanide potion, and they did. It seems cultists were brainwashed by this megalomaniac Jones, who had named their jungle village after himself and held them as virtual slaves, if not living zombies. Jones himself was found dead. He'd shot himself in the head, or someone else had shot him. Is it plausible

Mind Control is the Foundation of Cults What are cults and what are the issues society argues about them? Many people argue over all different central issues of cults. One issue people argue is that cults cause social and personal disruption. Another issue would be that people in society dismiss the whole notion of cults completely saying that every religion can be viewed as a cult. However, when it comes down to it a cult is simply nothing other than a person using mind control over the