Monday, May 23, 2011

Lost Souls: The World of Cults


The Word Cult In The Past..

* The original meaning of the word "Cult" was to define a form or style of workship. It is still used in this way within theological circles .
* During the 1920s and 1930s, sociologists who were studing religion started to use it to refer those faith groups that were not full denominations or sects.
* During the 1930s the Christian Counter-Cult-Movement (CCM) used the term mainly to describe two groups of faith groups:

-Those who were non-christian.
-Those who deviated from conservative protestantism.
This was the most common use of the term until the 1970s.

The recommended use of the term cult is such as "new religious movement", "alternative religious movement, "emergent religion" or "faith group". The term are more precise and have not (yet) been burdened by so many negative connotations, as has " Cult".

Definition Of Cult..

A cult is in general a charismatic group, an exclusive group of people devoted to a person, principle or ideal.

Types of Cults:

Distinctions are made between different types of cults: E.G Destructive cults (which have committed violence, or who advocate violence), VS. So-Called " Bening" cults (which some consider relatively harmless even though their teachings and practices may be out of step with societal and theological norms.

What is a Sect?

The term "Sect" is as an ambiguous as the term "Cult". The term comes from the Late Latin Secta,which means an "Organized Church Body". That in turn is rooted in the Latin Sequi, which means " To Follow"...

"Sect" can refer to:

* A religious denomination.
* A dissenting religious group, formed as the result of schism ( division: separation).
* A group adhering to a distinctive doctrine or leader.

The Indoctrination Techniques Include:

* Subjection to stress and fatigue.
* Social disruption, isolationand pressure
* Self criticism and humiliation.
* Fear, anxiety and paranoia.
* Use of auto-hypnosys to induce :peak" experiences.
* Control of information.
etc......

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