The Techniques that Cults use to Manipulate Converts

Type :

Presentation

Pages :

5 pages

Format :

.doc

Published date :

06/17/2008

Category :

Philosophy & literature

Sub category :

Humanities/philosophy

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Summary :

With the realization that religion plays such a critical role in the development of cults, there is a clear impetus to examine this issue overall.
The history of the Branch Davidians clearly demonstrates that this religious cult did indeed break from a more mainstream religious group in order to form its basis.
Bainbridge and Stark (1987) in their examination of the construction of the cult argue that the cult is developed and maintained based on the religious promises that it makes to followers.
He changed his interpretations at will, while his unsteady flock struggled to keep up?
Unfortunately, when placed in this context, it is evident that religion only serves as an underlying foundation for the development and establishment of the cult.

Abstract

Over the course of the late twentieth century, the development of mass media has enabled average citizens to explore a wide range of lifestyles and issues through the comfort of their homes. While the mass media has provided notable insights into critical political, social and economic issues, it has in some cases manipulated public understanding of situations and events. Nowhere is this more evident than in the context of religious cults. As examined and portrayed in the media, religious cults do nothing more than persuade weak, feeble-minded individuals to give up all of their wealth and worldly possessions. Even though cults do prey on the vulnerable, what is often missed in the popular media's coverage of religious cults is that these organizations utilize a powerful tool to manipulate their followers: religion.With the realization that religion plays such a critical role in the development of cults, there is a clear impetus to examine this issue overall. Using this as a basis for research, this investigation seeks to examine two specific issues in the context of the manipulation used in religious cults. First, this investigation considers the techniques that cults use to manipulate converts. Second, this investigation considers the religious techniques that are used to accomplish manipulation of followers.