Cult can refer to devotion

Cult refers to adherence to an individual or tradition that deviates from conventional societal norms and may be religious or non-religious in nature. Cults share several characteristics with churches, the latter of which applies to individuals that have defied the church in order to satisfy modern society's ideals. Cults are as old as history, but they became common in the late 1960s and 1970s as young people were rejecting rituals and religious practices in favor of modern beliefs that seemed more civilized and allowed them more independence (Watson). Some organized associations and followed religious beliefs as well as unorthodox acts (Wilentz). For instance, some started speaking in tongues, practicing healing by faith, and meditation among others. Modern cults incorporate various ideologies, some forms of leadership, and practices (Durocher 581). Some of them are affiliated to Christianity while others try to seek enlightenment especially those that were pursuing Zen Buddhism. Some cultic groups have their leaders while others have mentors that play the role of controlling cultic events.
History of Cults
America has various religious movements and secular groups, which are associated cultic practices some of which proliferated in the 20th century. Individuals that were marginalized from the society found strength in their small groups that accommodated their beliefs. For instance, segregated groups of people such as people of color, the young generation, women, and the poor had to find their own affiliation, which cared about their needs. For instance, ancient women belonged to some cults although their aim was to socialize with others (Pace). An example of a cult was Father Divines Peace Mission Movement, which emphasized on positive thinking encouraging his followers to recognize God as their almighty and divine power. Between 1930s and 50s the group had massive following and was known for extravagant banquets. Another African-American religious leader, Daddy Grace founded the United House of Prayer for All People, which attracted many followers. Cults increased between 1960s and 70s when there were major reforms as people started questioning the authorities. Several faiths emerged and some groups such as the International Society for Krishna Consciousness were quite famous including in India where it was introduced by A.C Bhaktivedanta. Some of the practices included vegetarianism, devotion to God and Yoga, and meditation. Another movement in the 1970s was the Jesus people Movement that started sponsoring bible studies and revivals while establishing communes. Some of the groups such as the Unification Church started by Reverend Sun Myung Moon were quite controversial since it supervised all the activities of the members. Unmarried people had to live celibate lives until they were mature they were paired with suitable mates and married in mass weddings. The group also built large business investments and their leader alarmed the rest of mainstream groups by claiming to be the Lord of the Second Advent and his power. During 1900s, ant-cultists emerged to fight against groups that used brainwashing, unquestionable powerful leaders, and top secrecy. Some cultic movements engaged in extreme practices including killings such as those belonging to Jones Cult. He even presided over a suicide ceremony with followers drinking cyanide to death (Hafford). In 1993 cults became more dangerous and faced opposition from the authority and mainstream churches for their activities. For instance, there was a crash between the federal officials and Branch Dravidians, which had been formed by a musician by the name David Koresh. David claimed to be the Messiah, which was unacceptable by believers in Christ as the Messiah. There was also the Church Universal and Triumphant under the leadership of Elizabeth Clare Prophet who owned bomb shelters in Paradise Valley located in Montana. The group experienced great hostility from the locals for its dangerous teachings. In March 1997, another Cultic group participated in a massive suicide, as they believed that their soul would go into the spacecraft travelling behind the Hale-Bopp (Hafford). Its leader Marshall Herff Applewhite utilized the internet in recruiting people and designed a website raising fears as the millennium approached. The group committed mass suicide”39 members including Applewhite wearing black track suits and sneakers, ate apple sauce laced with barbiturates and washed it down with vodka” (Hafford). This indicates the extent cultic movement can go in convincing their members about their strong beliefs. The cults of the 21st century encourage their followers to believe in conspiracy theories such as the Desten with beliefs in the New World Order and pseudo-economic system or the equal money system. They constitute mostly the super-wealthy individuals especially people in power and businesspersons.
Reasons People join a Cult
Biblical illiteracy is one reason for people joining a cult. The cultic activity is a product of attack against biblical principles (Federman). In its recruitment effort, the cult mainly focuses on an individual’s personal perception on the biblical knowledge. Normally, cults strategize on recruiting those with little or no basic understanding on the bible by calling them for a bible study (Durocher 584). In the process, a twisted or distorted view of reality is taught to promote either the religious leaders or the organization’s skewed worldview. On the other hand, those who possess a working knowledge of the bible as well as interpretive methods are practically invulnerable from to cult recruitment. Once the cultist ascertains that an individual is well acquainted with the biblical understanding, the cultist flees completely. However, due to the rising biblical illiteracy, nowadays people tend to welcome the cultists freely without resistance.
Cult naivete is another reason people join cultic movements such that most of them become vulnerable due to their biblical illiteracy and church indifferences. To be naive in relation to cultism means that either one knows very little or nothing as regards to cultic doctrines and practices (Richard). Either, what is known is shallow or deceptive in the former instance thus the lack of awareness leaves the potential recruit defenseless to the claims, charges, and promises made by the cult. The cultism tends to entice the recruit to become more involved in the more obscure and irrational beliefs that may possibly be learned much later on down the line. In the latter occurrence, the information that has been learned by the recruit is either false or partial. The cultist can easily prove to the recruit by simply correcting the falsehood, for instance, all cultists are devil worshippers. After this, a member believes the teaching of the cult and practices it.
Persistent evil is another reason why many persons join cults. Every hoax cult can eventually trace their existence back to the ‘father of lies,’ the devil. The devil is the most persistent of evil beings to ever have existed. His target is to destroy human beings and he often masquerades as one who is benevolent and wholesome to do it. In the same way, his followers also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. According to Apostle Peter the devil is a roaring lion that aggressively prowls about in the hunt for someone to devour. When one realizes the operations of a cult, one often sees the uncontrollable effort to accomplish something at all costs (Durocher 585). No tactic is forbidden since the end validates the means. A cult can only be destroyed only if it either becomes so corrupt that the law enforcement has to move in and take into custody the members for breaking the law. Finally, the cult leader is pushed to the point of insanity and self-destruct rendering the cult non-viable due to financial difficulty or lack of interest or the cult converts to Christianity. More so, most cults and their leaders believe that they possess the way to heavenly contact with God. Thus in their absence the earth together with its people are predestined to destruction.
Life transition is another reason for people to join a cult since it changes their life and makes them temporarily unstable. Life transitions such as marriage divorce, death in the family, a new job, among others are some of the transitions in life cults tend to capitalize on. They then tend to offer what appears to be way outs to calm down the situation. Normally, the more unstable a person is, the more likely the person is to pay attention to the message of the cultist. As soon as the cultist perceives that the susceptible is lending an attentive ear, and has become reliant upon his/her counsel, then the cultist moves quickly to engage the person in the cult itself (Richard). The scheme is to form a cult mentality in the recruit, which does not permit him to reasonably act in response to what is going on by completely preoccupying his time with cult responsibilities and duties. For that case, one needs to be very vigilant when undergoing a transition in life. One must be on guard against possible cult recruitment regardless of its extremeness.
Love-bombing can influence a person to join a cult. This refers to a situation which occurs in form of excessive attention and fawning over the prospective recruit. Everybody appears so supportive and jolly and everyone wishes to be friends with the new person. This love is pretentious and aims at making a person feel as if he/she is really needed and appreciated. It implies that the cult cares about the person and that there is a special place just for the person in case he opts to join. Love-bombing is fraudulent as well as a poor substitution of thought and discussion. In some cults love-bombing takes in form of sexual enticement in which people engage in unreasonable attention at the initial stage in cult recruitment, which later turns mundane if a cult member ever wishes to quit it at a later date. To manipulate a person to join without resistance the cult uses such odds as being invited to a gathering where everyone in the particular group appears overly inviting, sweet and extremely interested for no good reason.
Types Cults
Various types of cults exist, which include Eastern cults in which members believe in spiritual enlightenment and reincarnation. This allows them to attain the Godhead and nirvana as well as disregard worldly possessions. Philosophies and religious groups guide them from the eastern parts of the continent such as Hinduism, Sufism, Sikhism, or Buddhism. . Members engage in celibate lifestyle while others take on an ascetic lifestyle. They practice meditations, repeated mantras, altered states of consciousness, and fasting. Other cultic groups engage in restricted sex, fasting, diet restrictions, and special dressing for men and women (Hafford). They have various techniques of practicing their beliefs such as spinning, induced trance, and chanting among others.
Religious cults are associated with belief in god in a higher being in which members believe in salvation and after life. They rely on scriptures from the holy book such as the Bible, Talmud, Cabala, or Koran and the leader claims to be a prophet, Messiah, or one sent by God. The members are very strict and may use physical punishment such as birching and paddling especially while punishing children. Some of the cultic groups are associated with Christianity, Hebrew, Islamic, and other religious groups. Some of the practices and techniques include chanting, speaking in tongues, lengthy prayers or study sessions, faith healing, lengthy evangelization, self-flagellation, or making confessions. The article offers guidance to therapists and other professionals that associate with cult survivors. It puts emphasis that, whenever one deals with survivors of cultic group, one has becomes sensitive to their needs (Durocher). Political, terrorist, and racist cults are ones influenced by beliefs that touch on changing the society. Others are formed with the aim of overthrowing enemies, revolution, or getting rid of evil forces. The leader of these cults is very knowing and powerful and the group uses some coded language, handshakes, and some other ritualized symbols. Such groups also meet secretly and vow to respect their top secretes. Some of the practices and influencing techniques include paramilitary training, instilling fear, reporting to each other, and violence for loyalty, indoctrination, and criticism sessions.
Psychotherapy or mass transformation cults are guided by strives for goals of personal transformation and improvement. The leaders believe in omniscient and self-proclaimed and other times may be super-therapists. Some of the practices and techniques are encounter sessions with group members, altered states due to trance induction, and thorough probing into personal thoughts and life. Others include drug use, dream work, past and future-life therapy, regression, shame, submersion tanks, intimidation, humiliation in private or group sessions, and verbal abuse (Richard). There also exist commercial multi-marketing cults in which members believe in attaining wealth and power, quick earnings, and status in the society. The leader is overly lavish and argues that he has already gotten the way. This group may consist of political and religious cults since they have strict morals, love good health, morals, and patriotism. Members are required to attend in lengthy and expensive seminars as well as help in selling the products of the group. However, they use deceptive techniques to make sales, peer pressure, shaming others, financial control, guided imagery, and magical thinking. Occult, black magic, or satanic cults are ones in which members believe in supernatural powers and may worship Satan. The leader is an evil incarnate and the group may involve in animal and human sacrifices. Other evil activities include sexual abuse, bizarre rituals, secrecy, intimidation, tattooing, violence, blood rituals, and altars (Richard). Other cults include cults of personality or one-on-one or family cults. For instance, in the city of Rome a group worshiped Bona Dea extensively although the goddess had devotees at the Roman port of Ostia and other places (Pace). The cult was meant to unite women away from their families and provided them with a chance to socialize and share some gossip. The other cults include cults of personality in which one believes in his/her charismatic personality or interest of the revered leader. The group will always revolve around on theme such as dance, arts, or opera among others. Their techniques include intense training sessions, rituals, elitist attitude, and blatant egocentrism. There are also one-on-on family cults in which members believe in one’s partner, teacher, or parent above anybody else. They believe that the dominant member possesses special powers leading to complete trust in him or her. It may lead to sexual abuse, physical abuse, or psychological torture on the dependent members. The techniques and practices include pain syndrome, self-blame, induced fear, insecurity, and insecurity, enforced isolation, and other violent activities.
Conclusion
Cults attempt to challenge the conventional society and some are blamed for brainwashing their members by influencing their beliefs. The challenge with the modern cults is propaganda especially in the secular society associating the members with threat in the society. Individuals that were marginalized from the society mostly formed them since they found strength in their small groups that accommodated their beliefs. Others were formed with the aim of overthrowing enemies, revolution, or getting rid of evil forces. The cults of the 21st century encourage their members to believe in conspiracy theories. Others practices may include drug use, dreaming, past and future-life therapy, regression, shame, submersion tanks. Some groups believe that the dominant followers possess super powers leading to complete trust in their leader. In the same way, the followers disguise themselves as servants of righteousness.


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