Purported cults
The ongoing controversy regarding the definitions of a cult is examined in the
article on cults. This article lists a number of organizations that have notably
been referred to as cults by various outside sources.
Criteria for listings
Very few groups or organizations are willing to accept the label of "cult," and a number of groups have vehemently resisted
such a classification. Accusations of cult behavior have been made against a great many groups, ranging from groups with minority
views to outright criminal and terrorist organizations.
Because of the many differing viewpoints towards the classification of cult groups, this list gives a general listing of
groups based upon their general perceptions by the public at large.
- Minority groups -- Mainstream religious groups and anti-cult activists often classify these groups as cults; however,
they are generally accepted within their area and are not seen as especially controversial (even if their behavior differs from
the mainstream). (Christian Science, Mormons, Rastafarians, Amish)
- Controversial groups -- These groups have come into conflict with mainstream religious organizations and/or
restrictive governments, and are sometimes viewed with suspicion; but in general they are tolerated by society and left to their
own actions. (Jehovah's Witnesses, Falun Gong, Herbalife (?))
- Alleged cults -- Governments seen as promoting religious tolerance (by law or otherwise) have taken action
specifically against these groups. Prominent members of these groups have been involved in felony criminal actions; mainstream
media reports have investigated their inner workings and publicized their findings in a manner seen as highly negative by the
groups in question. (LaRouche, Scientology)
- Destructive cults -- The actions of these groups have been shown to be responsible for the deaths of a large number of
the members of these groups, or to outsiders. (Al-Qaeda, Solar Temple, People's Temple)
In order to maintain a neutral point
of view towards controversial groups, this list presents a listing of groups labelled as cults by various non-related,
reasonably unbiased sources. These sources include:
Minority groups
- See also Mormonism. Critics—including a small percentage of former
members of the LDS Church—charge that elements within the LDS Church act in a way that is suggestive of a cult. [1] (http://www.saintsalive.com/mormonism/christianorcult.htm) [2] (http://www.calvarychapel.com/library/davis-bob/text/mcoc.htm). Latter-day Saints (LDS) disagree with charges suggesting that Mormonism is
un-Christian; contrary to these charges, Mormonism is founded on the supposition that mainstream Christianity was corrupted by the Great
Apostasy. LDS consider the most extreme of such charges against Mormonism as anti-Mormonism; LDS reject such charges as misrepresentations of Mormonism usually based on unscholarly
research. Crucially, in contrast to other groups charged with cultism, Mormons will tend to hold family-centered, Judeo-Christian
values, and LDS members encourage the maintenance of strong family ties, whether the family members are Mormon or non-Mormon.
Except for perhaps the strict Mormon health code (the Word of Wisdom),
LDS values are similar to those of western civilization with the practice
of polygamy having been abandoned by the mainstream LDS Church
between 1890 and 1910. Smaller Mormon sects, notably
in Bountiful, Colorado City, Arizona and British
Columbia, Canada, do practise polygamy. These sects might be said to fit the
definition of a cult more closely, as they are isolated communities, in which former members have claimed there is some bullying
of young women, who are chosen to marry at a very early age, sometimes as young as 13. In terms of size, Mormonism does not share
the trait of having a small following sometimes attributed to a cult; the number of LDS has grown nearly equal to the number of
Jews both in the United States and globally since its inception in 1830.
Jan Shipps, a non-Mormon scholar of Mormonism, posits that, just as Christianity became a new religious movement out of Judaism, Mormonism arose as a new religious movement out of
Christianity.
Rastafari is a post-christian cult that may eventually reach the stage of a mainstream religion, but should be treated as a
cult for now. The encouragement of smoking marijuana may be seen as dangerous by
some though not by others. Before the mid seventies people wearing the highly visible dreadlocks in Jamaica where Rastafari was founded were unlikely to
get a job, which was definitely seen as harmful, say by the parents of a poor young man converting to the faith. That is not normally the case anymore, dreadlocks being much more accepted thanks to the influence of
Bob Marley in the faith. One of the first Rastas, Leonard Howell, was charged with sedition against the then George V of the United Kingdom in 1934, showing
that Rastafari was early on perceived as a political threat, but generally Rastafari is seen as a peaceful cult. By declaring
that Haile Selassie is God and the
returned Messiah of Revelations,
and therefore like Mormonism can be considered a new religious movement that sprang out of Christianity.
Controversial Groups
- Christian Science advocates relying on faith healing in lieu of
seeking medical treatment, including for minor children (though such requirements are now apparently lessened). For this reason,
it is sometimes listed as having cult-like behavior.
- Elan Vital is one of the organizations that supports the work of Prem Rawat
, known also as Maharaji by his students. This organization exists in several countries with the purpose of organizing events in
which Prem Rawat is invited to speak. They also engage in fundraising and in some countries they broadcast public addresses of
Prem Rawat.
- According to Elan Vital's website, the Divine Light
Mission changed its name to Elan Vital in 1987. The Divine Light Mission, a new religious movement was criticized by the anti-cult movement in the 1970s[3] (http://www.elanvital.org/events2004/faq_ev_g.htm). A group of
ex-followers, that call themselves ex-premies became vocal critics and label
Elan Vital a cult. In turn, Elan Vital considers them a hate group due to
alleged activities of harassement leveled against them [4] (http://elanvital.com.au/faq/idx/11/085/article/). One of those vocal critics, Mike Finch has
replied to some of these allegations. [5] (http://www.mikefinch.com/mj/art/hg.htm).
References:
- The Exclusive branch of the Plymouth Brethren are considered as a cult by most other Christians, and non-religious observers
as well.
- Falun Gong, or Falun Dafa, is a quasi-spiritual group that practices Qigong with
some overtones of Taoism and especially Buddhism. The group became so popular in China (alleged to have at one
point upwards of 100 million adherents) that it was repressed and eventually criminalized as a cult by the Chinese Communist Government of the People's Republic of China. It has remained
relatively popular regardless, and has gained a sizable following internationally as well. Some see it as harmless exercise, yet
the public statements and methods of Falun Gong's founder, Li Hongzhi (now
living in the U.S.), seem controversial to many more traditional Qigong schools (schools
not necessarily sympathetic to the communists) as well as the Chinese Government.
Herbalife
- This group utilizes a multi-level marketing (MLM)
network to sell nutrition and cosmetics products. Attributes similar to those used by cults earned Herbalife reputation of being
cult, cleverly disguised as legitimate business. To advance in ranks and increase returns from activity, Herbalife adepts need
not only to sell the goods, but to recruit friends and relatives, who in turn will recruit the next distributors, thus building a
"distribution network". Internal structure and control of Herbalife that is similar to a paramilitary organization according to its critics. Herbalife, however attributes the negative publicity to
increased business competition and its own commercial success.
- Holiday Magic combined personal development with commercialism, subsuming both Mind Dynamics and Leadership Dynamics within its organisation. It allegedly treated participants with extreme physical
rigor. Erhard Seminars Training may have partially
evolved from Holiday Magic.
- A high-profile group in the 1930s led by Father Divine who claimed to be God. Since his death in 1965, followers of the movement have dwindled nearly to the point of extinction.
Jehovah's Witnesses
- Throughout their history, many have found the doctrines, beliefs, and practices of the Jehovah's Witnesses controversial. Responses have included mob action; government oppression,
including being targeted in the Holocaust and widespread criticism from
Christians of other denominations. Such criticism has
become an entire genre with the advent of the Web. Some Christians who are not Jehovah's Witnesses do not consider them to be a
Christian organization because of the significant differences in beliefs. Some go so far as to label the organization as a
heretical sect and/or cult. Another modern criticism is that by refusing blood transfusions not only for themselves but also for their minor children, Jehovah
Witnesses put the lives of others in jeopardy and thus their creeds do not respect public order.
- References:
- Some Jewish critics have called Jews for Jesus a cult or claim it uses cultlike tactics to seek converts. They claim that it
often deceives people in saying who they are and exploits people's religious insecurities. Many of the critics sharply disagree
with the organization's claim that it is possible to become a Christian yet remain Jewish.
- The organization says in a letter to a member on its Web site that those concerned about Jews for Jesus being a cult have
"been influenced by propaganda promulgated by those who would detract from the credibility of your witness and ours. Some Jewish
community leaders spread this kind of misinformation in order to counteract Jewish evangelism, which they erroneously consider a
threat to Jewish survival. ... If your friend finds Jesus as her Savior, she will measure our doctrine and our conduct in the
light of the Scriptures. Then she will know that Jews for Jesus is not a cult." However, former members of Jews for Jesus have
stated that the leadership of Jews for Jesus have used deception in finding converts and have used threats and intimdation to
control their staff members.
- References:
-
- The teachings, methods and results of Lifespring and its offshoots appear comparable to those of Landmark.
- Nuwaubians
- Primerica is a large financial services company, which is a member of Citigroup, and is considered a cult by some of its
opponents. According to the testimonies of victims, Primerica seeks converts by luring friends and relatives of its employees,
some of which purchase insurance and some join full-time as recruiters deriving profits from new converts, thus employing a
MLM scheme. Some accuse Primerica of employing mind-control.
- Primerica attracted criticism due to what some describe as dubious practices, unscrupulousness and agressiveness in client
relationships and usage of religious practices to prevent employees from quitting Primerica and disclosing the truth about it.
During the regular meetings, recruiters shout "yes" and "amen" and demonstrate other distinctive qualities of a cult.
- The company combats negative public image by funding advertizing and PR campaigns.
- References:
Raelism
- Raelism
- Lupo LeBoucher, a former member, had this to say about the Temple of Set:
"More trivially, they are your typical mail-order cult in any number of ways. They require large amounts of participation on
the parts of their members, to the extent that participation in the group becomes a central organizing principle in their lives.
They sponsor getaway vacation/conventions which all members are required to attend. They have strict hierarchy, a charismatic
leader and apocalyptic prophecy (the "Gifted of Set") are supposed to survive an upcoming apocalypse, according to their Seminal
document "The Book of Coming Forth By Night" - though lately they have been making noises that this is only a metaphorical
apocalypse (perhaps to avoid legal intervention in the wake of other post apocalytics), such as the Branch Davidians and the
Solar Temple mass suicides, and the Aum nerve gas attacks; there was literal belief in this passage as prophecy in the not-too
distant past. They have a number of secret documents which one must have certain levels of "attainment" to read; much like the OT
grade documents of Scientology. They have all manner of bizarre theories about atlantis, ancient astronauts, "Tesla Physics," a
theory of creationism, holocaust revisionism, and so on..."
- References:
- Note that a quick survey of Usenet posts and Internet web pages will likely show that those who disagree with Lupo LeBoucher
are as numerous as those who agree with them. Further, while it is easy to find those who agree with him among past members of
the Temple, it is equally easy to find those who disagree with him among past members of the Temple, as is the case with any
purported cult.
- Considered heretical by counter-cult groups for teaching
that the Second Coming of Christ will be realized by the birth of a man on the earth who will get married and beget children
having "no original sin"; for saying that founder Sun Myung Moon is this new Messiah;
and for teaching that Jesus did not come to die on the cross but could have established the Kingdom of Heaven
on Earth in his lifetime if the Jewish people (particular John the
Baptist) had believed in him then.
- Members have been called "Moonies" and branded a mind control cult by anti-cult groups
who espouse the discredited "brainwashing" theories of Margaret Singer (see also Rick
Ross or Steve Hassan).
- Also called the "Moon Organization" and branded a front group by US Rep.
Donald Fraser who chaired a subcommittee purportedly investigating the
church for illegal political ties; when the Fraser Report was finally published, it admitted (in one
hard-to-find sentence) that none of the allegations asserted in the rest of the report could be substantiated, and Fraser lost
his re-election campaign and the IRS granted the church tax-exempt status as a bona fide
religious group.
- Detractors often cite Rev. Moon's 1983 conviction on tax evasion charges
as 'further proof' that the church is a mere fraud; friend of the court briefs from many organizations called the tax prosecution
politically motivated (see Moon tax
case).
Alleged Cults
Amway
- Critics, many of them former Amway distributors, claim that Amway distribution
networks (which technically are independent from the company itself) are cults or cultlike. They claim that the distribution
networks encourage people to dedicate their lives to efforts that usually will make them little money, encourage people to not
think for themselves, encourage unthinking fanaticism for Amway products, encourage people to deceive others and hide the truth
from outsiders, and use mind control and psychological pressure to
encourage people to join the organization and to discourage them from leaving.
- On its Web site, the company denies that it is a cult. "No, Amway Corporation is a business and, similar to other large and
established companies, has a distinct environment defined by shared business goals. Shared business philosophies should not be
misinterpreted as a cult."
- References:
- Group in Sedona, Arizona. Subject of a critical segment on
Dateline NBC; the son of a member maintains a website [6] (http://www.citilink.com/~mjfitz/aquarian.htm) critical of the
group.
- Currently known as "The Family" or "The Family International," the Children of God organization has been known for its practices of using sex to entice people to join. This
obsolete practice, referred to as "Flirty Fishing," resulted in the organization being banned in several countries.
- Church Universal and
Triumphant
- Co-Counselling
- Dragon Rouge
- Eckankar
- The International Churches of Christ (formerly known as the Boston Church of Christ) is a Bible-based church claiming about
130,000 members (2001) that emphasizes total commitment to its teachings. It has been called a cult by both the Christian countercult movement and some secular
critics. Although most of its theology is Evangelical, the Christian
countercult movement has raised objections to its belief that it essentially is the only church following the true gospel. They
and secular critics claim that the church is extremely aggressive in proselytizing, seeks to control its members, and exerts
undue psychological pressue to keep people in the church. News reports indicate that some colleges have banned the church from
proselytizing on their campuses.
- The church responds to such allegations on its Web site:
What, then, do we say to the charge that we are a cult? If the charge is the same that was leveled against the early church,
then we are glad to be identified with them. "But we want to hear what your views are, for we know that people everywhere are
talking against this sect" (Acts 28:22). If, however, the charge is the same as that leveled against destructive extremist groups
in our day, then we say, "No!" We, the members of the International Churches of Christ, are nothing more than disciples of Jesus
Christ who are attempting to restore the movement that God began in the first century. That movement turned the world upside down
in its day, just as we expect it to do today.
- References:
- Kim Jong-il, political and military leader of North Korea, son of Kim
Il-sung, is being worshiped in North Korea with devotion similar to cults of Saint Mary. Praise and words of adoration do not
leave the North Korean newspapers, radio channels and TV broadcasts. Gigantic portraits are seen everywhere in the country.
- Satisfied participants characterize Landmark, a derivative of est, as "just a business". Others, less charitably
inclined towards the company, suggest that brainwashing might account for
devotees' fanatical devotion to unpaid recruitment for Landmark seminars. The sometimes controversial reputation of founding
guru (formerly known as "The Source") Werner Erhard often muddies debate on the alleged merits of Landmark's innovative (or psycho-babble) "technology".
- See Lyndon LaRouche; LaRouche Movement, Schiller Institute,
LaRouche Youth Movement, the National Caucus of Labor Committees,
Political views of Lyndon
LaRouche and Jeremiah Duggan. The Schiller Institute and LaRouche
Youth Movement were accused in October 2004 in a British coroner's court of using mind-control techniques on Duggan, a Jewish
student from London, England who died in odd circumstances after spending time at one of the movement's "cadre schools". [7] (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/national/longterm/cult/larouche/main.htm) [8] (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A46883-2004Oct20.html) [9] (http://www.justiceforjeremiah.com/inquest.html)
- This controversial and iconoclastic guru (1931-1990) has considerable influence in the "New Age" circles of some countries (Brazil for instance), where his books
are sold in mainstream bookstores with nearly as much acceptance as those of the Dalai Lama. His teachings emphasize the search for personal freedom (definitely including sexual activity),
often to the point of damaging ethical discernment and leading to enthusiastic yet destructive behavior. His books are often very
caustic in their criticism of many institutions and traditional teachings. His followers caused the Wasco County, Oregon scandal (involving political fraud and
salmonella poisoning). Much of the information about him is of dubious quality, such as his death supposedly being caused by
poisoning with radioactive Thallium.
- While it may have been a cult once, nowadays, few people are active in a hierarchically organized group based on the
organizational lineage of Rajneesh. Some people may be involved in several unhealthy cult-like groups based on the teachings of
Rajneesh.
- References:
- Followers of the Panawave Laboratory group claim they need to cover their vehicles with white sheets and wear white clothes
in order to protect themselves and their leader, "Yuko Chino," from electromagnetic waves. At one time, leaders of the group claimed that electromagnetic waves were
causing catastrophic environmental destruction that would destroy
the Earth on May 15, 2003.
- References:
-
- Some ex-members like the late Glen Meloy consider the Sathya Sai Organisation that was founded by Sathya Sai Baba a cult. The reason is that these
ex-members say that the allegations of sexual abuse carried out by Sathya
Sai Baba are correct and the Sathya Sai organization refuses to properly investigate these. Ex-member Robert Priddy who maintains
an extensive website about Sathya Sai Baba believes that it is a secretive, autocratic personality cult that has strong cultic characteristics. More than 800 people have signed an internet petition requesting
impartial investigation regarding accusations of sexual abuse charges and murder. [10] (http://www.saipetition.net/)
- Followers purport Sathya Sai Baba's group is not a cult because it displays atypical characteristics like charity and
tolerance towards other beliefs. Also, it does not claim to be the only way to God and truth, encourages a critical assesment of
the guru before accepting him, and does not advocate proselytizing. They point out that often cults will expect their adherents
to abandon worldly duties and to severe ties with their families, which is something Sathya Sai Baba has explicitly said not to
do.
- References:
-
- Sahaja Yoga is a cult of personality, led by Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi. Members advertise this new religious movement, also known as Vishwa Nirmala Dharma, as a "unique form of meditation." Critics
and former members call Sahaja Yoga a form of brainwashing designed to recruite new members who are expected to devote their
lives to recruiting more members and enriching the cult's founder, Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi.
- Former members report that new recruits are led to believe that they have been "enlightened," or given their "self realization," at their first
meeting. Former members now believe this is a means of gaining new recruits. Once recruited, new and veteran members are expected
to donate significant amounts of money to "projects in India," "puja dakshinat," and "gifts" for Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi, a former devotee of the guru,
Osho who claims to be the adishakti or God.
- References:
- The Church of Scientology, founded by L. Ron Hubbard, uses a form of psychotherapy called Dianetics that some people claim is designed to hypnotize members into a more weak-minded and paranoid
state. The church attacks legitimate psychotherapy and psychiatry. A sub-organization of the church -- known as the Sea
Organization -- has paramilitary trappings, but is not armed. Critics also say the church seems to function as a for-profit
organization, as it requires fixed-price donations for many of its services, which are required to advance in orders. An
extensive discussion of the cult allegations against Scientology are included
in the article on the church.
- On its Web site, Scientology says it is not a cult but "a religion in the fullest sense of the word." It also says:
Scientology is unique in that it does not require or tell anyone to "believe" anything. Rather, Scientology believes every
individual should think for himself. In Scientology, what is true for the individual is only what he has observed personally and
knows is true for him. Scientology is not authoritarian, but offers a technology one can use and then decide whether it works for
him.
- Media References:
-
- References:
Self-styled "swami" Shyam Srivasta leads a spiritual group called the International Meditation Institute or, more informally,
Shyamspace. He has been accused of having sexual relationships with many of his female followers including underage girls. Since
the allegations of impropriety surfaced, the remaining members of the group, most of whom live at his ashram in India, have
sharply limited their contacts with family members and the outside world. In the past, Mr. Srivastava has claimed that he has
developed a scientific method for achieving health and happiness, however critics say the group simply practises a variety of
Hindu rituals and spiritual techniques.
- Synanon was founded in California as a drug rehabilitation program in the late 1950s, but turned
into a profitable business enterprise and the cultish "Church of Synanon." Members were reportedly required to donate their
savings, to work for the business, to participate in coercive group therapy, and to have abortions and vasectomies. It aquired a
number of properties, some quite remote, to house as many as 1,700 members. Beatings of opponents and ex-members culminated in
the attempted murder of a lawyer by placing a live rattlesnake in his mailbox
in 1978. That led to the forced departure of the founding leader, Charles Dederich, and a
number of enforcement actions that cause the group to fold in the 1990s. The Synanon
program did work successfully for some persons. Synanon is credited by some with giving Jazz musician Art Pepper several more years of creativity, and it is also remembered fondly by some former members.
- The Way International, a pseudo-Christian group, was
founded by Victor Paul Wierwille in 1942 in New Knoxville, Ohio. Wierwille founded what would become The Way after receiving what
he claimed was a message from God.
- Wierwille began teaching heretical and bizarre beliefs, such as the denial of the divinity of Jesus Christ, the denial of
Trinitarian doctrine, the idea that modern Jews are actually an impostor tribe from Siberia amd not God's chosen people written
about in the Bible, the Holocaust of 1930s-1940s Europe is a myth, much of the Gospel doesn't have any real meaning today, and
others. In 1953, Wierwille began teaching "Power For Abundant Living" (PFAL) classes, which evolved into a 36-hour taped
introductory course to The Way. He defined The Way as "a Biblical research and teaching ministry." Critics have called it a
cult.
- The organization of The Way is unique; it resembles the structure of a tree. Individuals are Leaves, local home
fellowships are Twigs, state advisers are Limb Coordinators, the headquarters is the Root.
- Rumors of survival training and the buildup of a military stronghold circulated in the 1970s and 1980s. Students attending
advanced classes were required to learn how to shoot a gun. They were advised to bring a Bible, Dale Carnegie's How to Win
Friends and Influence People and "a rifle or shotgun (handgun also if desired,)" according to several publications.
- In 1982 Wierwille passed leadership to L. Craig Martindale.
- The group was beset by infighting and tax troubles after Wierwille died in 1985, and membership fell from an estimated
100,000 to 20,000.
- Insiders have reported instances of weapons stockpiling, kidnapping, wife-swapping and other sexual misconduct, and financial
scandal, with varying degrees of documentation in personal testimony, and in the press.
Destructive Cults
- The actions of this terrorist organization against civilians in the name of their beliefs, along with their use of suicide bombers, classifies it as a dangerous cult according to activists and
religious scholars.
Branch Davidians
- Branch Davidians
Heaven's Gate
- Heaven's gate
Manson Family
- Manson Family
Order of the Solar Temple
- Order of the Solar Temple
People's Temple
- The People's Temple is seen as the most notorious example of a
cult by the media and the public. They almost unanimously agree that if there is one group that deserves the negative
connotations associated with the word cult then it was this one. Mary McCormick Maaga argues in an essay that appeared in her
book the Voices of Jonestown (Syracuse: Syracuse University Press, 1998) that the People’s temple was three groups
in one, using the sociological meaning of the terms i.e., a cult/new religious movement, a
sect, and a denomination. [11] (http://jonestown.sdsu.edu/AboutJonestown/Articles/three.htm)
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