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
the paper addresses three important points; specifically, religions are not cults because they are (in the main) not coercive or totalitarian; religions are not cults because they do not rely upon charismatic leaders who are granted inviolable power; and religions differ from cults in the sense that mainstream religions want more followers whilst cults establish an us-versus-them mentality that is impossible to ignore.

From the Paper
"There is a burning question in our present, secular society that demands to be answered: are religions really cults? The answer is that they are not. With that response firmly in mind, the paper will outline why religions are not cults by bringing up three important points; specifically, religions are not cults because they are (in the main) not coercive or totalitarian; religions are not cults because they do not rely upon charismatic leaders who are granted inviolable power; and religions differ from cults in the sense that mainstream religions want more followers whilst cults establish an us-versus-them mentality that is..."

Tags:religions, cults, not

Abstract
Whatever the degree to which individual people embraced their leaders as literal gods or divine fountainheads, it is clear that such cults played a tremendous role in the religious and political development of ancient societies. The paper shows that this was especially true for Hellenistic Greece and the Roman Empire, both of which existed under these cults - the former providing much of the historical and ideological groundwork for the latter.

From the Paper
"The ruler cults of ancient Greece and the later imperial cults of ancient Rome are much-debated topics in classical studies. Historians have long struggled to understand the role that these cults played in the construction of these societies both at the ideological and practical, day-to-day levels. The debate most often revolves around the degree to which these cults could be considered religious institutions at all (Harland par. 1-2). Many critics feel that these cults were little more than opportunistic attempts to manipulate politics in these societies. Others argue that these cults, whatever their political machinations, actually did have religious basis."

Tags:greek, roman, cults

Abstract
This paper provides an overview of cults, or "new religious movements," as some prefer to call them, and delves into the societal fear about these organizations. The paper seeks to discover what exactly it is that people fear or believe they dislike about religious cults; their interpretations, results and implications for the future of religious cults are discussed. The paper asserts that although religious cults are often portrayed negatively, cults have been the root of some of the most respected, prosperous, and well-established religions that exist today. The paper draws a parallel between supposed "brainwashing" and the television advertising to which children are exposed, as well as hypnosis programs that help people stop smoking, for example. The paper concludes that to fear less, we must understand more.

From the Paper
"Learning about new religious movements, cults and sects will enable us to broaden our understanding and awareness plus discover more similarities with people we may currently see as very different from us. Opening sensitive topics up for discussion, like brainwashing, with genuine inquisitiveness allows us to grow our communication skills, making things easier while navigating our human experience. When afraid of the dark, turn on the light. Shedding light on religious cults, we'll find that all religious institutions and all religious cults lead to the same place: "Religion creates nothing except intangible emotional solace for those who require it" (Joseph). As we will see, religious scholars are in the forefront of eliminating the word "cult" and are leading the way for more respect and understanding among all faiths."

Tags:Jonestown, leader, Heaven's, Gate

Abstract
This paper focuses on three religious groups which are extreme to the point of being considered cults, namely, Heaven's Gate, The Family and the Davidians. The paper discuses how, through an effective combination of lifestyles, worldviews and human gullibility, these initially harmless religious groups are changed into fanatical cults. The paper highlights the realities of these cults and the control, which at times is abusive and even illegal and immoral, they are able to exert over their followers.

Outline:
Cults
Davidians
The Family
Heaven's Gate

From the Paper
"Within the United States there are a number of religious groups which are extreme to the point of being considered cults. Amongst these are Heaven's Gate, The Family, and the Davidians. Cults such as the Branch Davidians and Heaven's Gate have traditionally been perceived as the creation of a deviant and egotistical individual. Through the use of brainwashing and reprogramming techniques, this individual is able to fashion a mindless collective of individuals willing to follow him or her even to the point of death. While the leader is an essential aspect in such organizations, there are others necessities. These cults are essentially a product of the normal human fascination with the end of time, which is shifted into extreme apocalyptic groupings and tendencies by the teachings and actions of the leader. Through an effective combination of lifestyles, worldviews, and human gullibility, these initially harmless religious groups are thus changed into fanatical cults. (Von Hoey 2) These teachings are rather universal across the religions, in that the end is near, and something must be done."

Tags:fanatics, followers, leaders, beliefs, faith, apocalypse

Abstract
This paper looks at three major North American cults and how they were founded, led and maintained. Their beliefs, leaders, members, roots and practises are outlined. The three cults are the Branch Davidians, Peoples Temple and the Solar Temple.

Outline
Introduction
I. The Branch Davidians
A. History
1. Victor Houteff.
2. Florence Houteff
3. Before Howell
B. David Koresh
1. David Koresh (Vernon Howell)
2. Koresh's Beliefs
C. The Branch Davidian Religion
1. Beliefs
2. Practises
3. The End
II. The People's Temple
A. Jim Jones and his Dream
1. Jim Jones
2. The People's Temple
B. The People's Temple as a Religion
1. Theories and Beliefs
2. Practises
C. Negative Aspects
1. Manipulation
2. Jonestown
III. The Order of the Solar Temple
A. The Founders
1.Joseph DiMambro
2.Luc Jouret
B. Religious Structure and History
C. The Solar Temple as a Religion
1. The 7 Rules
2. Beliefs
3. The Solar Temple's Demise
Conclusion
Appendix A. Additional Pictures
Appendix B Interview with Prof. Rabinovitch
Bibliography

From the Paper
"In the beginning, the People's Temple was based on Christian values and beliefs, over time Jones theories were what the People's Temple were based upon. The Bible was used less frequently, while Jones had several theories, which could be dismissed as insane. Jones believed he was the reincarnation of Jesus Christ, Buddha, Karl Marx and Vladimir Lenin. Jones also theorized that fascists were going to take over America. He believed that the People's Temple would be singled out, because vandals and racists harassed the Church while it was based in Indianapolis. (The Devil's Party, 67) In addition, Jones proposed Revolutionary suicide, which means his followers would die in the name of himself."

Tags:false, issues, messiahs, psychology, societal

Abstract
An assessment of some of the various anthropological explanations for cargo cults. The paper aims to reveal how the history of Melanesia itself, from colonial administration to independence, is reflected in attitudes towards and explanations of, the cargo cult phenomenon. The paper includes a number of lengthy quotes from articles related to the topic, which try to explain the origins of the cult systems and how they developed through history.

From the Paper
"Few topics in the field of anthropological study have spread across academic disciplines and, through journalism, entered into popular usage as completely as the term "cargo cult". So much so, Lindstrom (1993) contends, "from the 1950's to the 1980's, cargo cult became the orthodox term for Melanesian social movements" (Lindstrom 1993:38). Indeed there have been claims that the term is overused, even abused, with all quasi-religious cults and "native frenzies" being labeled or re-labeled cargo cults. "Nowadays, for example, many Melanesian political movements must take care to deny explicitly that they are any sort of cargo cult"."

Tags:orientalism, papua, new, guinea, png

Abstract
This paper discusses mystic religions, cults and Paul's experience. The writer discusses that the purpose of any type of religion is to fill the needs within the person and people who listen to those that say they have had visions do so because they have unfilled needs in their lives or those who claim to have visions lead groups of people into following their will because they say they have heard the voice of God.

From the Paper
"Does Paul have a choice in his conversion experience? How is it that one comes into faith and/or "finds" religion? Can somebody do a sudden 180 degree turn, as Paul does? Is it asking too much of others to accept this? Should one believe any person who says, "God came to me in a vision?" Throughout history, different religions or cults have existed ranging back into the days of Babylon where they worshiped different gods to the present where cults continue to exist. Plato made reference to the Mysteries in his writing, Underhill talks about the Mysteries in her ..."

Tags:mystics, visions

Abstract
A ten page paper on the reasons for the prevalence of cults in the United States, methods used in manipulation of members, and the psychological effects on past and present devotees.

From the Paper
" SOCIAL INFLUENCE THROUGH CULTS
Introduction
Vander-Zanden (1990) defines cults as loosely organized forms of religious organizations with several specific characteristics. These characteristics include the facts that their: a) members are called to live a totally different lifestyle; b) leaders are strongly charismatic leaders around whom the membership is built; c) doctrinal emphasis is upon the individual rather than on society although there is often a component of cults that is highly critical of the dominant society; d) religious perspective holds that the source of unhappiness and injustice is incorporated within each person and thus it is the individual who first has to change; e) promises are that the individual will find contentment through following.."