ࡱ> <>;s 5jbjb "Dkk5]00000 <40=*,g[l((""vpenr00C.I.M. Outline #10 CHARACTERISTICS OF MODERN CULTS I. Introduction A. Theodore Roszak (author of THE MAKING OF A COUNTERCULTURE) in the late seventies made the comment that "we are in the midst of a religious renaissance." (UNFINISHED ANIMAL, p.20.). B. Conway and Siegelman in their book on cults (SNAPPING) estimate there to be between 1000 and 3000 major and minor religious cults in the U.S. with a membership of approximately 3,000,000. C. A 1978 Gallop poll indicated that almost 12% of the American public has participated in some form of meditation or religious practice outside of the traditional boundaries of Christianity and Judaism. (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 12/1/78). II. The Definition of a Cult A. The word comes from the Latin "cultus". Any kind of ritual, ceremony, or liturgy. B. In recent times it means a group or movement that deviates from orthodoxy while claiming to represent the true faith. C. There are still different opinions as to exactly what a cult is. To some, it is any movement that is weird, sinister, authoritarian, or incomprehensible. D. What should not be part of the definition: 1. Intensity of commitment. 2. Proselytizing. E. Non-theological criteria: 1. Isolation or involvement of the recruit to the point that the group controls all incoming information. 2. Economic exploitation or an enslaving organizational structure. 3. Esotericism: not completely open for public scrutiny. III. The social and intellectual climate which gives rise to cults A. Loss of authority in the traditional churches. 1. The Church is influenced by the culture rather than being an influence on theculture. 2. Compartmentalization of religion, i.e. religion is private and does not affect how I live, work, or think. Religion is something done for an hour on Sunday morning. 3. A belief in the traditional values without belief in their source, i.e. Christian ethics are good but the trustworthiness of the Bible is denied. B. Changes in the family. 1. Absentee parents. 2. Loss of effective value transmission. Parents are not successful in transmitting their worldview to their children. 3. Loss of a proper context to meet primary social needs (which the home should be). 4. The value today's society puts on personal autonomy over responsibility. C. Depersonalization creates a desire for communal living and a tightly-knit and structured lifestyle which is lacking in many homes. D. Disillusionment with technology and science creates a desire for a simpler lifestyle and a back-to-nature attitude. E. Pluralism and irrationalism. 1. Man is an accident--no purpose in the universe. 2. Many conflicting worldviews, all claiming to represent reality. F. The threat of impending doom, an uncertain future. The group offers hope and security IV. Distinction Between Modern Cults and Traditional Cults. A. Traditional cults use the Bible to some degree. B. Modern cults follow a definite trend to the non- rational. C. Modern cults place a greater emphasis on experience. D. Modern cults have absorbed more Eastern concepts. V. Characteristics of Modern Cults. A. A charismatic leader--a father or mother figure. B. Strict authoritarian organization that demands commitment. C. Intense study often accompanied by low-protein, low calorie diet and little sleep. D. The promise of new ways to God or God-consciousness. E. The feeling of elitism. F. A leader (guru) who is privy to revelation. G. Syncretism (the blending of different religions and philosophies). H. Financial exploitation. I. Lack of historical perspective. J. Emphasis on experience rather than intellect. Altered or higher-consciousness states. K. Others that are not as universal: 1. Communal living. 2. Belief in reincarnation. 3. No clear-cut line of demarcation between the spiritual world and the physical. VI. Conclusion A. We need to study not only what young people are running to but what they are running from. B. Build support for the family. C. Exhort churches to be more sensitive and compassionate to human needs. More koinonia (sharing and fellowship), more ministry to the whole person. D. We must be careful in calling for extreme measures in dealing with modern cults. Religious freedom is important to a free society. Christian Information Ministries is a non-profit ministry and is dependent on gifts from God's people in order to operate. If you receive a benefit from our materials would you consider giving a tax-deductible gift to CIM. We suggest $25. a year minimum. Send to: Christian Information Ministries 2050 N. 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