CIM Briefing Papers

C.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. 
 
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