Alternative religions Flashcards
1
Q
What are the cult features?
A
- meet individual needs/desires
- claim esoteric knowledge - mysticism
- offer shorter, safer salvation
- charismatic leader
2
Q
Who joins cults?
A
- strict parents
- need something to believe in
- overachievers
- no ideological alignment or other commitments
- young
- middle/upper class
- socially connected
- no adolscent romance
- 90% left within 2 years
3
Q
What is a religious sect?
A
Divisions formed in a major religion
4
Q
What is a cult?
A
Groups that follow religions, philsophical, and spritual beliefs that are niche and unorthodox
5
Q
Are cults dangerous?
A
Some yes - most no -> media covers dangerous ones
6
Q
Why are cults considered dangerous?
A
- people think thye brainwash members
- stories of mass suicides
- apocalytic beliefs
- social enapuslation
- charismatic leader (seen as crazy, sometimes are crazy ex. charles manson)
