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Sociological Cult Essay

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Sociological Cult Essay
What is a cult? That is a question that has two different points of views and definitions. A Sociological Cult according to Ronald Enroth, is consideration of such factors as authoritarian leadership patterns, loyalty and commitment mechanisms, lifestyle characteristics, and conformity patterns (including the use of various sanctions in connection with those members who deviate). The Theological Cult definition is a particular group of beliefs and/or practices are considered unorthodox that is in conflict with the body of essential teachings of the movement the group compares itself to. Religious conflicts which is discussed in Chapter 15: Violence, War, and Terrorism.
Cults are a major problem in society because cults causes people to create and start wars, which stirs up violence. Cults cause people of a mass group to do things that can be considered dangerous or immoral. Cults plays an intricate part to society because if there are no cults there are no wars, no violence, and no military servants. Everything feeds off of one another to make up the functions and jobs of society.
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Are the fatal actions of 900+ people unexplainable, or was there a reason they were all lead to believe that they should kill themselves? This is the infamous incident of the cult of Jonestown, in 1978. The word cult is defined by Merriam Webster as “a small religious group that is not part of a larger and more accepted religion and that has beliefs regarded by many people as extreme or dangerous” (Merriam-Webster). Cults have been accused of controlling their members through brainwashing, causing the followers of cults to commit treacherous acts, and thus prompting anti-cult

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