World Religions: Introduction and Cults
Characteristics of Deprogramming
(1) Kidnapping (2) Asking questions to open up their minds (3) Exposing lies told by the cult
Characteristics of a Cult
(1) a living, charismatic male who focuses allegiance on himself, not God (2) Recruitment process is high-pressured and deceptive (3) High emphasis on personal fundraising
4 Elements of Religion
4 Cs, Sacred Realm/Story, Religious Founder, Faith
Cults
A group typically characterized by (1) distinctive ritual and beliefs related to its devotion to a god or a person, (2) isolation from the surrounding "evil" culture, and (3) a charismatic leader.
Destructive Cults
A social group centred around devotion to a person or idea or thing that employs unethical techiniques of manipulation and control
Creed
Basic shared beliefs
4 Cs of Religion
Creed, Code, Cult, Community
Community
Definition of the religious group
Theocentric
God is the centre
Anthropocentric
Humans are the centre
Cult
Methods of worship
Materialism
Preoccupation with matter/things
Sects
Religious societies of a few people, usually with a preacher as their leader
Code
Rules of conduct and behaviour
Cosmocentric
The earth/universe is the centre
Consumerism
Trying to find happiness by buying what we do not really need
Religious Fundamentalism
When major beliefs reassert themselves against expressions of modernity; widespread throughout the world
Philosophy
a system of beliefs and values