There Are New Religious Movements

Over the years, society experienced a barrage of new and strange cults that have brought along different topics of controversy. Some have been exposed for mental and physical abuse which gave cults a demonic-like stereotype. On the other hand, religions comprise crucial parts of culture and are incorporated into the regular schedule of many people’s lives. If someone were to mention they were in a religion, no one would bat an eye. On the contrary, if someone mentioned being in a cult, it would be seen as disturbing.

But, despite what society thinks, religions and cults are similar.

Religions and cults both have a set of beliefs which they adhere to and when shown opposition, they get defensive. While the beliefs of religions and cults might be different, they both are devoted to their ideologies. Because of their devotion, both will sometimes have strict standards on how to act a certain way. The Amish, a traditionalist Christian group, who are still debated whether they are a religion or cult, have strayed from the modern path and live a strictly traditional lifestyle.

This lifestyle consists of uneducated children past the eighth grade, horse-drawn carriages, absence of technology, tight-knit communities, and plain clothing. In a less drastic case, a religion or cult require a more conservative dress code that disapproves of piercing, tattoos, or revealing clothing. Ideologies are passed down to the next generation and shunned if not done so. Additionally, both religions and cults genuinely believe in their teachings and will undergo sacrifices to fulfill their duty.

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Cults have been known for taking extreme sacrifices, such as massacres, but religions have also been known for some extremists. When talking about other beliefs, both religions and cults will believe the other is unorthodox and strongly reject its ideas. They both have a strong sense of devotion and will always believe their ideas are right.

Another characteristic that cults share with religions is the motivation to expand through new converts and money. Cults try to attract new members through methods that are similar to missionaries in mainstream religions. A method includes distributing pamphlets to promote attendance to classes or lectures about the group’s beliefs. Both religions and cults will target a specific demographic who would most likely join their group and promise a sense of purpose, moral guidance, and social identity or belonging. For instance, the Evangelical Cult targeted college students who were on their own, easily impressionable, and looking for a community to fit into. Another method of expansion it to encourage members to monetarily contribute to the movement. Some groups require a church tax which is imposed on groups of several countries such as Austria, Denmark, and Germany. In Finland, members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland and the Finnish Orthodox Church pay an income church tax of about 1.4%. Depending on the situation, this monetary contribution could be seen as a simple donation or financial exploitation.

Furthermore, both religions and cults have a “dark past”. Since cults have not existed for as long as religions, what is considered a “dark past” for cults is more current. Because some cults are single-minded and want to separate cult from reality, members are susceptible to physical and mental abuse. For example, the Branch Davidian cult, located in Waco, Texas, was led by David Koresh who told his female followers that they had to have sex with him to go to heaven. If she refused, she would be beaten and locked up in a cramped room fed from a bowl. Likewise, churches also have a “dark past”. Ages ago, Christianity has used the excuse of wars, capital punishment, corporal punishment, slavery, colonialism, and sexism to justify conversion to Christianity. Currently, the Catholic Church has been exposed for cases of child sexual abuse by priests and other members. Subsequently, both religions and cults have been exposed to covering up incidents from other members and the public eye. Despite this similarity, the controversy within a religion is often dismissed and do not affect their reputation.

What causes society to think differently about religions and cults is because of the connotations that are associated with each. Because of factors such as stigma, size, and the amount history behind the establishment of a group, cults are correlated with an evil reputation while religions are virtuous. Because cults have fewer defenders and influence, the beliefs of cults are considered freaky and outlandish. But, looking at the past, religions were once considered weird at first. In the Roman empire, the Christians worshipped Jesus rather than the Roman gods. Because these religions had hundreds of years to develop, they have integrated into society. If cults were given more time, would they become a religion? Religions and cults are similar where cults just have more ideological baggage. Believers of a cult will always consider their movement a religion and it could be stated as “one man’s cult is another man’s religion”. Because of the negative connotations carried by the word cult, most religious scholars would rather call it a new religious movement.

Works Cited

1. “Sexual Selection, Isolation and Physical Abuse: Kiwi Woman’s Time at Waco Cult.” Stuff, 8 Jan. 2018, 13:53, www.stuff.co.nz/world/americas/100396614/sexual-selection-isolation-and-physical-abuse-kiwi-womans-time-at-texas-cult.
2. SZUBIN, ADAM, et al. ‘Interacting with ‘Cults’.’ The FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin, Sept. 2000, p. 16. Academic OneFile, http://link.galegroup.com.db03.linccweb.org/apps/doc/A66035873/AONE?u=lincclin_bwcc&sid=AONE&xid=1d371c2b. Accessed 16 Sept. 2018.
3. TEDxTalks, director. Why I Left an Evangelical Cult | Dawn Smith | TEDxNatick. YouTube, YouTube, 6 Mar. 2018, www.youtube.com/watch?v=-U4Cq-dgNnw.
4. “The Young Center for Anabaptist and Pietist Studies at Elizabethtown College.” Amish Studies, Young Center for Anabaptist and Pietist Studies at Elizabethtown College , groups.etown.edu/amishstudies/.