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