Cults
In 1982 Ingrid D. wrote home to her mother, "I have joined a wonderful group of spiritually minded people and am living in an ashram. If you send me clothing, it should be orange, red, or burgundy." She had become a follower of Bhagwan Shree ajneesh, an teacher from India, who developed new forms of active meditation aimed at overcoming repression, lowering inhibitions, and attaining enlightenment. Although he preached that the family was an out-of-date institution that should be replaced, he did encourage his followers to make peace with their families rather than to alienate themselves. Ingrid lived in the ashram as one of "the Orange People" for 10 years, after which she left and pursued a successful career in law enforcement. Three years from now, she will retire and has already begun work on a second career as a minister in a New Age type church. She has positive…...

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References

Bader, C. (1999). When prophecy passes unnoticed: New perspectives on failed prophecies. Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, v38, no1, 119-31, March.

Clark, C. (1994). Clinical assessment of adolescents involved in Satanism. Adolescence, v29, no.114, 461-68, summer.

Curran, D.K. (1989) Why troubled teens might turn to satanism. The American School Board Journal, August, 12-15.

Hunter, E. (1998). Adolescent attraction to cults. Adolescence, v33, no 131, 709-14, fall.

Cults
Indeed, it is very difficult to think of two traditions that could be more radically different than those as embodied by the movement of the Nation of Islam in America and the tradition of Vodou as it is practiced in Haiti and as variants of it are practiced in other areas as well. Indeed, the origins could not be more different than they are, for one thing, as Vodou stems out of a long and distinguished tradition of beliefs held by the Yoruba peoples of Africa and that was changed and syncretized during the period of enslavement. The Nation of Islam, on the other hand, was created by a single man, Elijah Muhammad and is a religion that, though it attaches itself to a greater historical tradition, which is that of Islam, is, in fact, quite ate variance with the larger religion, but at least elements of being part of…...

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Bibliography

Clegg, Claude Andrew. An Original Man: The life and times of Elijah Muhammad. New York: St. Martin's Press, 1999.

McAlister, Elizabeth. Rara!: Vodou, Performance, and Power in Haiti and its Diaspora.

California: U. Cal. Press, 2002.

Pement, Eric. Louis Farrakhan and the Nation of Islam. Retrieved November 24, 2003, at  http://answering-islam.org/NoI/noi2.html .

Cults and Establishments
Regina M. Schwartz presents a radical, stimulating view on the meaning of monotheism. Its influence, according to the author, extends far beyond theological import. Monotheism informs cultural consciousness and greatly influences group identities. As such, religious beliefs can promote certain types of psychological, sociological, and political realities. In The Curse of Cain, Schwartz specifically focuses on the nature of Biblical monotheism as it has been expressed in the Jewish tradition. Drawing the foundation of her theory from the allegory of Cain and Abel, the author describes how Jewish monotheism has contributed to a violent, antagonistic worldview. Not intended to be an attack against Judaism itself, this thesis is set forth to explain how myths and religion can shape the consciousness of entire groups of people. Schwartz uses the story of Cain and Abel to symbolize brothers killing brothers, what she calls "original violence." There are four basic facets…...

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Works Cited

Schwartz, Regina M. 1997. The Curse of Cain. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press.

Marilyn Manson?
What is a cult?

Is MM a cult?

Why is Southern California most affected by cults? 6-8

Marilyn Manson shot to heights of unprecedented fame when his album 'Antichrist Superstar' became a multi-platinum success in 1996. As the name of the album suggests, the group stands for everything unconventional, shockingly bizarre and appallingly occult. The bandleader, Brian Warner, doesn't mind being given so much attention even if most of it is negative in nature. While Manson is seen as a curse on America's moral fabric, he is madly idolized by millions of teenagers in the country who would probably give an arm and a leg to be in his shoes. His fame appalls many but not Manson himself who believes an anti-hero is an essential figure in the American culture (Baddeley, 2000). However what is even more interesting than his sudden rise to extreme heights of notoriety is the fact that…...

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References

Davis, Mike. Ecology of Fear: Los Angeles and the Imagination of Disaster. New York: Vintage, 1999.

Gavin Baddeley, Dissecting Marilyn Manson: Plexus Pub April 10, 2000

Margaret Thaler Singer, Ph.D. with Janja Lalich, Ph.D., Jossey-Bass, Cults in Our Midst: The Hidden Menace in Our Everyday Lives, San Francisco, CA, 1995

Billy Sloan, MARILYN MANSION Inside the lair of the rock star who boasts he is., Sunday Mail, 05-20-2001, pp 16,17

CULTS VS. CHRISTIANITY
Christianity is the religion of millions of people in the world. Christians, the followers of Jesus Christ and the ible, face multitude of problems and challenges from other religious cults, (they claim to be based on ible) or non-religious cults.

Religious cults are sometimes called "sects" as they do have some of teachings derived from the core religion, which is Christianity, here. Some of them are: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons), Jehovah's Witness, United Pentecostal Church (Oneness Pentecostalism and Unitarian Universalistic Association. Similarly, there are non-religious cults such as the followers of Charles Manson, Jim Jones, and Waco etc. (Joyce)

No matter, what the nature of cult be, they are seen as threats to society and Christianity.

They cause divisions in religion, worse still they immobilize the minds and thinking capabilities of their followers, thus taking them away from the truth. These cults are very different in…...

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Bibliography

1) Fr. Brian Joyce, Cults vs. Catholic Christianity, Homily of 07/09/2003, retrieved online on 19/04/2004,  http://www.ctkph.org/homilies/homilies2003/homily090703.pdf 

2) The New "Spirituality" vs. Christianity, retrieved online on 19/04/2004,  http://www.orthodoxphotos.com/readings/future/christianity.shtml 

Cults and Sects -Overview, retrieved online on 19/04/2004  http://www.namb.net/root/resources/beliefbulletins/cults/overview.asp

Cults
The late twentieth century witnessed a dramatic "rise in the number of obscure cults and the increasingly fevered pitch of their rantings."

Three cults that grew in popularity throughout the 1970s through 1990s, having a particular impact on American culture, include The Unification Church, The Church of Satan, and Heaven's Gate. These three cults had nothing to do with one another and in fact their central belief systems can on some specific points be considered contradictory with one another too. However, their ideologies seem trivial superficialities that obscure the elements they share in common. These three cults demonstrate remarkably similar structures and modes of recruitment. Their historical context shows that both sociological and psychological factors impacting their growth and development were similar, too. Cults like the Unification Church, the Church of Satan, and Heaven's Gate tend to be populated by "people who shared little more than a willingness, or a need,…...

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Works Cited

Gleick, Elizabeth. "It Was the Marker We Were Waiting For." Time. Retrieved online:  http://www.time.com/time/reports/cult/heavensgate/heavensgate1.html 

History Channel. Satanism. Television documentary.

LaVey, Anton Szandor. Satan Speaks! Port Townsend: Feral House, 1998.

Wolf, Ole. The Emperor's New Religion. Retrieved online:  http://www.scribd.com/doc/8085920/Analysis-of-the-Church-of-Satan-by-Ole-Wolf

Religion, Neibuhr, And Daly
That hich is Holy

Of all the creatures on the planet, only mankind seeks to establish the ideas of worship, and engages in practices which look in a direction to identify that which is holy. There are no shrines built by schools of fish. Monkeys and Dolphins, which are some of the more intelligent creatures on the planet next to mankind, do not construct temples, or raise up images of which they seek to identify as greater than themselves. Only human beings seek a greater power to give their lives meaning and purpose.

After filling the earth with creatures which walked, swam, flew on feathered wings and slithered on the ground, God says this about mankind. "God said let us create mankind in our own image, male and female we will create them."

So from our very first breath, mankind is different from the rest. e have not evolved from…...

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Works Cited

Daly, Mary. 1971, After The Death Of God The Father. Women's Liberation and the transformation of Christian consciousness. [online] Originally published in Commonweal, March 12. [cited 13 Oct. 2003] Available from World Wide Web:

Eschatology, Cult and Ideal Time Eschatology
My own personal definition of eschatology is the meditation on the four last things—death, judgment, heaven and hell. The purpose of this is to gain perspective about one’s life in the here and now. Some people might think, “Oh, why would you want to meditate on such depressing things?” but they do not understand the purpose or that these things are not really depressing at all. There is nothing depressing about death when you follow it with the three other things—judgment, heaven and hell. To think of death as the final thing is depressing. But Christians of course think of death as just one of the four last things—and the first step to either heaven or to hell. Judgment sit in between death and the final destination and when one thinks about judgment one does not have time to get depressed. One can get scared, but…...

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References

Defining Cults/Sects. (n.d.). Digital File.

Rodriquez, Fr. (n.d.). Cognitive dissonance theory. Digital File.

Rodriquez, Fr. (n.d.). Defining the sacred and profane. Digital File.

Rodriquez, Fr. (n.d.). What is chronocentricity? Digital File.

The Sect-Church Process. (n.d.). Digital File.

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Essay Topic Examples

1. The sychology of Cults: Similarities and Differences with Mainstream Religions:
     This topic explores the psychological foundations of cults and how they compare with mainstream religions. It examines the characteristics of cult leaders, the techniques used to influence followers, the social dynamics within cults, and how these elements may or may not differ from what can be observed in established religious practices.

2. The Role of Charismatic Leadership in Cults and Religious Movements:
     This essay topic delves into the phenomenon of charismatic leadership, focusing on how it shapes both cults and religious movements. The discussion involves an analysis of historical examples, the mechanisms through which leaders exert control, and how charisma contributes to…...

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Primary Sources

\"The Jonestown Death Tape (FBI No. Q 042).\" Jones, Jim. The Jonestown Institute, 18 Nov. 1978. Audio recording.

\"Branch Davidian Trial Transcripts.\" United States District Court for the Western District of Texas, San Antonio Division, 1994.

\"R v. Woolley, 2018 ABQB 717.\" Court of Queen\'s Bench of Alberta, 23 Aug. 2018. Judgment.

\"The Satanic Bible.\" LaVey, Anton Szandor. Avon, 1969. Print.

\"Heaven\'s Gate: Postmodernity and Popular Culture in a Suicide Group.\" Lewis, James R. Syracuse University Press, 2001. Print.

Essay Topic Examples
1. The sychological Appeal of Cults:
    Explore why individuals are drawn to cults, examining psychological needs, social isolation, and the promise of community and purpose.

2. Cults vs. Traditional Religions:
    Analyze the distinctions and similarities between cults and established religions in terms of structure, leadership, beliefs, and societal acceptance.

3. The Role of Charismatic Leaders in Cults:
    Discuss how charismatic leaders manipulate followers, the traits they exhibit, and the impact of their leadership on the cult's dynamics.

4. Cults and the Law:
    Examine legal issues surrounding cults, including freedom of religion, brainwashing, and the legal battles over property and custody.

5. The Aftermath of Cult Involvement:
    Investigate the long-term effects on individuals who leave or are removed from cults, focusing on psychological recovery, reintegration into society, and the support systems available.

Essay Title Examples

1. "The Lure of the Fringe: Understanding Cults in Modern Society"

2. "From Charisma to Control: The Dynamics of Cult Leadership"

3. "Cults, Religion, and the Law:…...

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Primary Sources

Primary Sources

Max Weber, The Sociology of Religion

James R. Lewis, Controversial New Religions

Margaret Thaler Singer, Cults in Our Midst

Janja Lalich, Bounded Choice: True Believers and Charismatic Cults

David G. Bromley and J. Gordon Melton, Cults, Religion, and Violence

Essay Topic Examples
1.The Role of Charismatic Leadership in the Formation and Control of Cults:
    This essay will explore how charismatic leaders utilize their compelling appeal and persuasive abilities to establish and maintain cults. It will analyze the psychological processes through which these leaders gain trust and influence their followers, ultimately exerting a controlling grip over the group's beliefs and behaviors.

2.sychological rofiling of Cult Leaders: Strategies for Manipulation:
    The focus of this essay is the psychological makeup of cult leaders and the strategic methods they employ to manipulate followers. It will dissect various tactics such as exploiting vulnerabilities, creating an "us vs. them" mentality, and the use of thought reform techniques to consolidate their leadership and control.

3.Social and Emotional Leverage: How Cult Leaders Exploit Human Needs for ower:
    This essay will discuss how cult leaders exploit basic human needs such as belonging, purpose, and self-esteem to build a loyal following. It will examine the…...

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Primary Sources

Zimbardo, Philip G. \"The Psychology of Evil: A Look Inside Terrorism, Torture, and Abu Ghraib.\" Psychology Today, Sussex Publishers, 8 Sept. 2014.

Lifton, Robert Jay. Thought Reform and the Psychology of Totalism: A Study of \'Brainwashing\' in China. The University of North Carolina Press, 1989.

Cialdini, Robert B. Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion. HarperCollins e-books, 2009.

Singer, Margaret Thaler. Cults in Our Midst: The Continuing Fight Against Their Hidden Menace. Jossey-Bass, 2003.

Hassan, Steven. Combating Cult Mind Control: The #1 Best-Selling Guide to Protection, Rescue, and Recovery from Destructive Cults. Freedom of Mind Press, 2015.

Cargo TheologyCargo theology is a term used to describe a belief system that is based on the idea that a person\\\'s spiritual development is closely linked to the physical prosperity and material abundance of a society. It is based on the belief that through hard work, economic success, and economic development, spiritual growth and advancement can be achieved. Supporters of cargo theology believe that prosperity is a blessing that comes from God and should be shared with those in need. They also emphasize the importance of giving back to the community by investing in infrastructure, education, and health services. Ultimately, cargo theology is rooted in the history of the development of cargo cults, which are religious or spiritual movements that developed in the Pacific Islands, particularly in Melanesia, during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.[footnoteRef:1] These movements emerged in response to the arrival of European colonizers and the trade…...

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Bibliography

Lattas, Andrew. Cultures of secrecy: reinventing race in bush Kaliai cargo cults. Univ of Wisconsin Press, 1998.

Strelan, John G. Search for salvation: Studies in the history and theology of cargo cults. Vol. 13. Adelaide: Lutheran Publishing House, 1977.

Trompf, Garry W., ed. Cargo cults and millenarian movements: Transoceanic comparisons of new religious movements. Vol. 29. Walter de Gruyter, 2012.

Manson Family
as the Manson family a religious cult? In this essay, the author will prove this by examining the Manson Family as a political cult and the leaders use of mind control love bombing, the role of Manson as a group leader and his role within the group, and teachings and/or beliefs of the group. hile the group did not in the opinion of this author exhibit all of the aspects of religious cultism, it is certainly very much in the genre.

Its ties to and emergence from the sixties counterculture blurs this a bit, it is a cult nonetheless. As we will see in the body of this essay, a number of salient facts stand out that define a cult. One is a dominating personality. Secondly, secret and esoteric beliefs and liturgies, usually at the extreme edge of human behaviors. Finally, mind control use and tactics are endemic.

hat is a…...

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Works Cited

Bugliosi, V., & Gentry, C. (2001). Helter skelter: the true story of the manson murders.

New York, NY: W.W. Norton.

What is a cult? (2007). Retrieved from  http://psychcynic.blogspot.com/2007/11/blog-two-what-is-cult.html .

Destructive cults: the family; charles manson. (2008, April 8). Retrieved from  http://www.religioustolerance.org/dc_charl.htm .

New Religious Movements
Of the myriad new religious movements which have arisen over the course of the twentieth century, only a few have resorted to violence and mass suicide as a course of action. Perhaps the most famous of these, the so-called Jonestown Massacre, resulted in the deaths of over nine hundred people, and serves as the basis for John Hall's examination of the particular preconditions and precipitating factors which lead one cult or new religion to violence instead of another. Hall's theory is applicable beyond the case of Jonestown, and in fact may be used to better understand the motivating factor behind the mass murder/suicides committed by the Order of the Solar Temple in the 1990s. In particular, by considering Hall's theory in conjunction with the analysis of the Solar Temple deaths given by Jean-Francois Mayer, it will become clear that each of the six preconditions and three precipitating factors…...

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Works Cited

Hall, John R. "The Apocalypse at Jonestown." Cults and New Religious Movements. Malden,

MA: Blackwell Publishing, 2003. Print.

Mayer, Jean-Francoise. "Our Terrestial Journey is Coming to an End': The Last Voyage of the Solar Temple." Cults and New Religious Movements. Malden, MA: Blackwell

Publishing, 2003. Print.

Despite its being Christian in nature, the clandestine and sometimes considered deviant practices of the group made it assume a negative image, at least as projected to the public by the mass media and groups with vested interests. The label "cult" was given a negative connotation because of the prejudice that the mass media, special interest groups, and former Branch Davidians has provided the public. There was unequal dissemination of information from the part of the Davidians, having observed the image of exclusivity and non-interaction with non-members of the group. Thus, the negative image of it being an 'evil cult' prevailed, leading to the uncalled-for raid by the AFT that led to the group's abolishment and deaths of its members.
The propaganda model of the mass media offers an alternative explanation to the uncalled-for raid and image attack against the Branch Davidians. It may be the popular notion that the…...

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However, changes in the religious group emerged after Houteff died in 1955. Under the leadership of David Koresh, the religious group became synonymous with the prejudiced, negative view of cults, stemming from the fact that Koresh's practices as the Branch Davidian leader deviated from the religious, or even at least, normative life of a Christian. He began practicing polygamy, and commanded his members to stock on food, weapons and fuel. The seemingly exclusive and autonomous nature of the Branch Davidians furthered the negative image it eventually became known for, heightened by the fact that the media projected the group as a "cult" with non-Christian, even immoral practices. Thus, towards the end of the religious group's existence, the Branch Davidians were considered as a cult with 'cultish' or deviant practices and beliefs. This transition from religious group to a cult led to the strong belief that groups who deviate from their original organizations lead to practices that are abnormal or deviant in nature.

Looking into the case of Branch Davidians, it can be said that due to the increased relevance of the mass media to the lives of the public, the group, despite its religious background, became a cult in the view of Americans. Despite its being Christian in nature, the clandestine and sometimes considered deviant practices of the group made it assume a negative image, at least as projected to the public by the mass media and groups with vested interests. The label "cult" was given a negative connotation because of the prejudice that the mass media, special interest groups, and former Branch Davidians has provided the public. There was unequal dissemination of information from the part of the Davidians, having observed the image of exclusivity and non-interaction with non-members of the group. Thus, the negative image of it being an 'evil cult' prevailed, leading to the uncalled-for raid by the AFT that led to the group's abolishment and deaths of its members.

The propaganda model of the mass media offers an alternative explanation to the uncalled-for raid and image attack against the Branch Davidians. It may be the popular notion that the Branch Davidians were to blame for the attack, harboring actions and behavior that are considered deviant and evil to the public, particularly to Christian groups and Christians. However, looking at the reaction of the mass media, the public and the government regarding the Branch Davidian group and the raid by the AFT, it can be said that the group was just a victim of media sensationalism, wherein the unequal dissemination of information regarding them as a group led to the public's conception that the group is indeed an evil cult. Thus, the "official view" is considered a prejudiced view of the group, and that the AFT should have investigated further on the allegations regarding their stockpiling activities before raiding the group's center at Waco.

Cults are certainly in the cultural zeitgeist these days, making them a perfect topic for a literature review.  In fact, while many people think of cults as a relic from the experimentation that was popular in the 1960s and 1970s, cults actually play a surprisingly large role in modern religion throughout the world.  What this means is that whether you are focusing on a specific cult, common traits of cult leaders, or what makes an individual susceptible to a cult’s influences, you are sure to find plenty of information out there. 

What differentiates....

1. Building trust and rapport: Charismatic leaders in cults often use their charming and persuasive traits to develop strong relationships with their followers. By establishing trust and a sense of connection, they are able to manipulate their followers into believing in their ideologies and directives.

2. Creating dependency: Cult leaders typically employ psychological tactics to make their followers dependent on them for guidance, validation, and purpose. By fostering a sense of reliance, they can control the behavior and thinking of their followers.

3. Isolating followers: Cult leaders often isolate their followers from external influences, such as family and friends, to maintain control....

1. The existence and integration of cults and gangs in society are complex phenomena that stem from various factors. These groups often form as a result of individuals feeling marginalized, disenfranchised, or disconnected from mainstream society. Cults may offer a sense of belonging, purpose, and community to their members, while gangs may provide protection, support, or a source of income. In some cases, these groups can also be driven by ideologies, beliefs, or networks that prioritize loyalty and obedience above all else. Understanding the driving forces behind the presence of cults and gangs in society is crucial for addressing the....

Introduction: The existence and integration of cults and gangs within society is a multifaceted phenomenon, driven by a complex interplay of factors. This essay aims to explore the purpose, motivating factors, membership, perceptions, social and cultural influences, and integration of cult-like and gang-like organizations. By examining these elements, we gain a deeper understanding of the dynamics that foster the formation and persistence of such groups in society.

Purpose and Motivating Factors

Cults and gangs emerge for various reasons, often driven by the need for belonging, identity, or power. Cults typically espouse a charismatic leader and a rigid ideology that promises salvation or....