SOCIOLOGICAL DESCRIPTIONS OF CULTS The following is a list of characteristics that nearly all cults have in common. These characteristics were postulated by Ronald Enroth, a professor of sociology at Westmont College in Santa Barbara, CA. As a sociologist, his descriptions cover sociological rather than theological points. AUTHORITARIAN – Cults absolutely demand total loyalty and allegiance. The cult leader exercises absolute authority over both doctrine and practice, and their interpretations of the truth must be accepted by members without question. Diversity of opinion and independent thinking are strictly prohibited among the members. OPPOSITIONAL – Cults have a unique culture and they are against the cultures and values of society and other religions. Cults declare themselves to be separate from the world and condition all members to have an Us vs. the World mentality. Members are conditioned to center every aspect of their public and private lives around the cult, and all associates are fellow cult members. EXCLUSIVISTIC – All cults believe they are the only true religion or church, and that all other religions are false, in league with Satan the Devil. LEGALISTIC – Cults tend to teach that salvation is earned through works of law, with partial grace, or no grace at all. The members are overburdened with many legal, moral, and ritualistic requirements that must be fully met in order to attain salvation. SUBJECTIVE – Cultic movements manipulate their members to see both the cult and the outside world subjectively instead of objectively. Many cult members develop an extremely narrow-minded and fragmented view of the surrounding world. Many cults also place considerable emphasis on the experiential, on feelings and emotions. PERSECUTION-CONSCIOUS – All cults convey the theme that, in one form or another, their group is being singled out for persecution by society and former members. In reality, many cults bring persecution upon themselves through their unusual doctrines and awkward practices, yet they claim that persecution from the outside world is a sign of Gods favor. SANCTION-ORIENTED – The cults authoritarian leadership systematically punishes or excommunicates members who fail to conform to the cults doctrines and rules. Those who are punished are shunned by active members in the most hostile ways imaginable. ESOTERIC – Cults may possess secret knowledge among some or all of its members. Secret meetings discussing secret matters may occur among prominent members within the cult. Certain facts about the cult are kept hidden from nonmembers, even as an outward image of attractiveness is projected to the public. ANTISACERDOTAL – Cults typically lack priests or clergy, and consists entirely of lay people. Those who preach the cults doctrines are never recognized as priests or clergy, nor are they paid salaries.
Posted on: Tue, 25 Mar 2014 22:15:38 +0000