Abstract
In this article, the writer explores the concept of cults in American society today. The writer looks at the general characteristics of cults and examines how people join cults. The writer discusses why anyone would ever wish to join a cult and also looks at the life of a cultist. The writer concludes that overall, the concept of religious cults is an interesting and very significant concept, however, it is also misunderstood today in America, as stereotypes on how all cults involve crazy leaders who lead extremist movements shown by the media blind the public from seeing the truth.

From the Paper
"In Western society today, the concepts of cults and Islam both are looked upon in similar ways. Both are concepts people frequently misunderstand, and both are considered dangerous and radical. Westerners consider only the extremist and violent side of cults and Islam. When people see the word, Islam, most tend to immediately think of terrorists. When people hear the concept of cult, they believe in evil fanatics castrating each other, drinking poison, being led by a charismatic leader. Generally, the overall western view of cults is significantly more accurate on Islam, as many cults do involve extremist and dangerous actions. However, it is still quite inaccurate. Most western views put aside the formal and technical definitions made by professionals, and simply view a cult as a dangerous false religion led by unstable leaders. 1The formal definitions of the word, cult, are actually quite broad and the majority simply describe it as a group of people following a spurious or unorthodox system of religious beliefs and practices that is different from their practices."

Tags:cults, kashi, ashram, leader, religion, hinduism, buddhism, recruit

Abstract
This paper details the life of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, born in 1869 in Porbandar, India. It looks at how Mahatma Gandhi is known as one of strongest symbols of non-violence in the 20th Century due to his activist role and religious leadership. It examines how he greatly influenced the world in many ways by practicing and teaching throughout his life. Gandhi was a thinker, a philosopher, a wise statesman and a man of action and his teachings remain relevant to a new generation that has been typically been driven to cynicism and despair by the chaos and dishonesty of the politics of our times.

From the Paper
"Gandhi was inspired by his religious mother. She belonged to a branch of Hinduism that taught non-violence and tolerance between religious groups was very important. Gandhi spent his life searching for truth and harmony with nature. He believed truth could be known only through tolerance and concern for others and that finding a truthful way to solutions required constant testing. He even titled his autobiography My Experiments with Truth. Gandhi overcame fear and taught others to master fear. His belief in nonviolence guided his teachings that to be truly nonviolent required courage. He lived a simple life and thought it was wrong to kill animals for food or for clothing. "Gandhi found materialism to be the main characteristic of modern civilization, in which spirituality seemed to be undervalued" (Ishii, 2001)."

Tags:activism, hinduism, ashram, nationalism, britain