List of groups referred to as cults

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This list includes groups and organizations referred to as a "cult" or a "sect" in academic sources, the media and other reliable sources.

Inclusion is based on a single reference in a reliable source that refers to the group:

  1. as a "cult" directly in North American English, a "sect" in British English or any equivalent foreign-language word;
  2. as a group (organizations and sets of individual practitioners, including those named by their technical practice of cults, qualify as groups);
  3. as such within the last 50 years;
  4. as not qualifying as a personality cult (heads of state), fan-cult of popular culture, or a group that doesn't have an actual following (fictional or self-nominated groups).

Contents

This list of references for further research, cannot of itself reliably establish any harmful or beneficial attributes. The sources referenced must be reliable sources, with the acceptable fact-checking required for all articles. Fact-checking does not imply that referenced opinions are either true or false, only that they are correctly attributed.

To deal with the very different uses of the term "cult", this article provides distinct sections. Some references may apply the terms "cult" or "sect" in a scientific way to mainstream systems of spirituality; other references may use those terms as pejoratives, and their application to specific groups can become controversial. Because of the perceived negative sense of the word "cult", very few groups or organizations show any readiness to accept the label of "cult" for themselves. The article Cult examines in depth the different definitions and common use of the term "cult".

Inclusion in the media list does not prove, in any manner, that a group functions as a "cult" or as a "sect", and all definitions of those words not excluded by the header inclusion criteria, are accepted. Media listings are almost exclusively references to opinions. Opinions are not facts.

Inclusion in the academic list implies that scientific standards or academically authoritative opinions have been utilized in determining a well-defined cult or sect status. All academic references should be articles in peer-reviewed sociological or psychological journals, or books by academics who have published extensively in either discipline in peer-reviewed journals.

In the sociology of religion, the term cult refers to one of four terms making up the church-sect typology. Under this definition, "cult" refers to a religious group with a high degree of tension with the surrounding society combined with novel religious beliefs. Sociologists of religion distinguish such a "cult" from "sects", which have a high degree of tension with society but whose beliefs are traditional to that society, and from "ecclesias" and "denominations" — groups with a low degree of tension and which espouse traditional beliefs.

In psychology the definition of cults is often "harmful groups." However, some psychologists use the term "cult" in a similar manner to sociologists. It is necessary to consult the sources themselves to ascertain which definition is in use in a particular instance.

  1. ^ Chafetz, M. & Demone, H. (1962). Alcoholism and Society, New York: Oxford University Press, page 162, 165 as cited in Ragels, L. Allen "Is Alcoholics Anonymous a Cult? An Old Question Revisited" "We are struck by the sect or cult-like aspects of AA ... This is true in terms of its history, structure, and the charisma surrounding its leader, Bill W[ilson]" transcribed to Freedom of Mind, website and retrieved on August 23, 2006.
  2. ^ Alexander, F., Rollins, R. (1984). “Alcoholics Anonymous: The Unseen Cult,” California Sociologist, Vol. 7, No. 1, Winter, page 32 as cited in Ragels, L. Allen "Is Alcoholics Anonymous a Cult? An Old Question Revisited" “AA uses all the methods of brain washing, which are also the methods employed by cults ... It is our contention that AA is a cult.” transcribed to Freedom of Mind, website and retrieved on August 23, 2006.
  3. ^ Kent, Stephe A., "Narcissistic Fraud in the Ancient World: Lucian's Account of Alexander of Abonuteichus and the Cult of Glycon," Ancient Narrative (University of Groningen), Vol. 6.
  4. ^ "Alexander the False Prophet," translated with annotation by A.M. Harmon, Loeb Classical Library, 1936 [1]
  5. ^ Ginzburgm Carloes., The Night Battles: Witchcraft and Agrarian Cults in the Sixteenth and Seventeenth Centuries. Johns Hopkins University Press, 1983 (original edition Giulio Einaudi, 1966), ISBN 0-801-84386-3
  6. ^ Sparks, Jones, The Roots Of Appalachian Christianity: The Life And Legacy Of Elder Shubal Stearns (2005), p.9, University Press of Kentucky, ISBN 0-813-19128-9
  7. ^ "Christianity is a cult in India" - Religion, Deviance, and Social Control By Rodney Stark, William Sims Bainbridge pp104
  8. ^ "christianity is a cult religion" The Painted Kipper: A Study of the Spurious in the Contemporary Scene By Harman Grisewood p65
  9. ^ "Christianity is a cult of death" Georges Bataille: A Critical Introduction By Benjamin Noys p26
  10. ^ "Christianity is a cult of poverty, despising the world, and antagonistic to labor and culture" - History Of Modern Philosophy By Richard Falckenberg p780
  11. ^ http://web.uni-marburg.de/religionswissenschaft/journal/mjr/pdf/2003/breit2003.pdf
  12. ^ The Cult of the Virgin Mary: Psychological Origins By Michael P. Carroll "Does anyone doubt that over the centuries the Mary cult has attracted a far greater number of adherents than will ever be attracted by the Church of Scientology, the Hare Krishnas and so on?"
  13. ^ Eileen Barker, New Religious Movements: A Practical Introduction. London: Her Majesty's Stationery Office, 1989, ISBN 0-11-340927-3, p.149
    "... movements which do not fall under the definition of religion used by the Institute [for the study of American Religion], but which are sometimes called 'cults'. Examples would be est, Primal Therapy or Rebirthing."
  14. ^ Philip Cushman, Constructing The Self, Constructing America: A Cultural History of Psychotherapy Reading, Massachusetts, Addison-Wesley Publishing Company, 1995, p.130. ISBN 0-201-62643-8
    "Even today, abundance theory is alive and well in many religious cults and in restrictive psychotherapy trainings such as est."
  15. ^ Steven Tipton summarizes his participant-observation of est in the keywords:
    "2. organization: bureaucratic cult
    "3. leadership: mystagogue
    "4. rites: est training, guided fantasy "schema," therapeutic "share," encounter-style confrontations with trainer."
    See: Steven M Tipton: Getting saved from the sixties: moral meaning in conversion and cultural change, Berkeley: University of California Press, 1982, page 179. ISBN 0520038681
  16. ^ Reitmeister, Louis Aaron, A Philosophy of Freedom: An Attempt to Explain the Natural Basis of Freedom (1970), Poseidon Books
  17. ^ Klaniczay, Gábor Holy Rulers and Blessed Princesses: Dynastic Cults in Medieval Central Europe (2002), p.17, Cambridge University Press, ISBN 0-521-42018-0
  18. ^ Theissen, Gerd and Merz, Annette , Jesus as founder of a cult in The Historical Jesus: A Comprehensive Guide (1998), pp.405-438, Fortress Press, ISBN 0-800-63122-6
  19. ^ Holloway, Joseph H. Africanisms in American Culture (2005), p.292, Indiana University Press, ISBN 0-253-34479-4
  20. ^ Smith, Jonathan Z., Imagining Religion: From Babylon to Jonestown (1982), p.152,University of Chicago Press, ISBN 0-226-76360-9
  21. ^ The Missionary Position: Mother Teresa in Theory and Practice p41 - By Christopher Hitchens: "The point is not the honest relief of suffering but the promulgation of a cult based on death and suffering and subjection".
  22. ^ Notrh, Richard, Heathen Gods in Old English Literature (1997), p.234, Cambridge University Press, ISBN 0-521-55183-8
  23. ^ Morton Klass, Singing with Sai Baba: The Politics of Revitalization in Trinidad, p.11 , Westview Press, (1991) ISBN 0-8133-7969-5
    "Opinion, it is hardly necessary to observe, is divided. In the many published volumes of his sermons and speeches, and in the writings of his devotees, his is a "religion" and sometimes a "movement." On the other hand, the two scholars who have written extensively on Sai Baba and his followers in India (Swallow 1976, 1982; Babb 1986) refer to the phenomenon as a "cult".
  24. ^ Iles Johnson, Sarah, Mysteries, in Ancient Religions pp.104-5, The Belknap Press of Harvard University (2007), ISBN 978-0-674-02548-6
  25. ^ Tuner, Harol W.,Bibliography of New Religious Movements in Primal Societies (1992), p.25, Gale Group, 0-816-19089-5
  26. ^ "Monumental Man: The Controversial Story of poet philosopher Eli Siegel", Jewish Times, August 22, 2003, Melissa Goldman, Cover Story.
  27. ^ "Nigerian gangs turn their guns on their own" Herald Tribune November 8, 2007
  28. ^ http://www.irb-cisr.gc.ca/en/research/rir/index_e.htm?action=record.viewrec&gotorec=433931
  29. ^ http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/features/showpiece/2005/jan/09/showpiece-09-01-2005-001.htm
  30. ^ California Cults, TIME Magazine, March 31, 1930, Page 3.
  31. ^ Cults, Religion & Violence 2002 ISBN 0-521-66898-0 5
  32. ^ Millennium, Messiahs, and Mayhem, Contemporary Apocalyptic Movements 1997 ISBN 0-415-91649-6
  33. ^ The Encyclopedia of CULTS, SECTS, AND NEW RELIGIONS 2002 ISBN 1-57392-888-7
  34. ^ Religions in the Modern World pg 266, 2002 ISBN 0-415-21783-0
  35. ^ Spying in Guru Land, Inside Britain’s Cults 1993 ISBN 1-85702-329-3
  36. ^ Gomes, Alan W.: "Unmasking the Cults", page 26. Zondervan Publishing, 1995
  37. ^ Tucker, Bruce: "Oneness Pentecostal Churches", page 17. Xlibris Corporation, 2002
  38. ^ "Now we come at last to the heart of darkness. Now we know, from their own words, that the Bush Regime is a cult - a cult whose god is Power, whose adherents believe that they alone control reality, that indeed they create the world anew with each act of their iron will". Chris Floyd, Article mirror St Petersburg Times accessed 22 October 2007
  39. ^ Summer of the Messiah Across the globe, tens of thousands are actively preparing for redemption, The Jerusalem Report, Yossi Klein Halevi, February 14, 2001
  40. ^ Rebbe's beliefs still echo in Austin Lubavitchers remember, Austin American-Statesman, Chuck Lindell, July 3, 1994
  41. ^ "The Communist Party is essentially an evil cult that harms mankind". Epoch Times Commentaries on the Communist Party - Part 8 On the Chinese Communist Party Is an Evil Cult - The Epoch times Dec 26, 2004 - accessed 25 October 2007
  42. ^ "Vatican excommunicates Mary cult"
  43. ^ "Defining 'cult' is no easy task, experts say" The Dallas Morning News March 28, 1993, viewed 5 March 2007
  44. ^ "A cult for Chinese furniture: Susan Moore on the controversial sect behind Christie's New York sale on Thursday;" Moore, Susan. Financial Times. London (UK): September 17, 1996. pg. 15. "Leaders of esoteric sects are usually thought to have a penchant for apocalyptic predictions and expensive motor cars and for exploiting - sexually and financially - their brainwashed acolytes...It is a non-proselytising, publicity-shy sect and its spiritual or philosophical system is difficult to determine,..."
  45. ^ "Art Market: Zen and the art of furniture" Geraldine Norman. The Independent. London (UK): September 15, 1996. pg. 72. "A cult's collection of Chinese furniture set to break auction records...But in 1988 cult leader, Robert Burton, saw a Chinese hardwood chair in a Paris antique shop and fell in love with it."
  46. ^ "Iowan tells cult experience", Des Moines, Iowa: Des Moines Register, 1985-01-12. 
  47. ^ Jaw Merwin. "Cult Corner: Student survivor of one sect's manipulation and coercion tells her story in support group to help others escape cult clutches", Baltimore, MD: The Sun, 1992-2-21, p. 1D. 
  48. ^ "ISU Bible Study group: 'Wonderful' or 'a cult'?", Des Moines, Iowa: Des Moines Register, 1980-03-13. 
  49. ^ "Cult label follows new church: Cult watcher calls GCI "shepherding cult"", Wheaton, IL: The Sunday Journal (Wheaton, IL edition), 1988-11-6. "The Cult Awareness Network calls Great Commission International (GCI) a shepherding cult ... Among CAN's criteria for a cult: the group's procedures, use of mind control and degree of consent by members. ... Another cult criterion: "some kind of controlling or thought-stopping technique," Kisser said. GCI discourages its members from listening to outside criticism. Ex-members say it also discourages questioning church elders. ... The Chicago-based National Cult Awareness Network (CAN) labels GCI a "Bible-based cult" that deceives its members and exercises tight control over members' lives without their clear consent. "We feel there's sufficient complaints about the group," said CAN Executive Director Cynthia Kisser. "We feel that it meets our criteria." ... Former members of GCI churches from different parts of the country describe GCI as subtle and dangerous. They tell of being manipulated into a deepening commitment to the church and of turning control of their lives over to church leaders. "Basic everyday decisions of your life are pretty much dictated by the leadership," said Larry Pile, a graduate of Wheaton College, who belonged to GCI for 5 1/2 years and now helps counsel former GCI members." 
  50. ^ "Silver Spring Fundamentalists: Church Or "Cult"?", Montgomery County, Maryland: The Montgomery County Sentinel, 1986-2-6. 
  51. ^ . "A STATEMENT RECOGNIZING EARLY ERRORS AND WEAKNESSES IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE GREAT COMMISSION ASSOCIATION OF CHURCH­ES". Great Commission Association of Churches.
  52. ^ Andrew Malone. "Topless bike washes and the dark hearts of the Hell's Angels cult", The Daily Mail, 14-8-2007. 
  53. ^ People in Glass Houses: An Insider's Story of Life in and Out of Hillsong By Tanya Levin
  54. ^ Lib/Lab Cult Squad by Andrew North - Indymedia UK
  55. ^ Schmetzer, Uli. "Religious cults may influence votes in Philippine election", Chicago Tribune, May 8, 1995, pp. 3.  (as cited by ProQuest)
  56. ^ Landmark is meer dan eens een sekte genoemd ["Landmark has been labeled a cult more than once"]. — Karolien Knols in the article "Drie spirituele dagen bij Landmark: 'Who wants to share?'" in Marie Claire (Netherlands edition), March 1999. Online transcript available at http://www.stelling.nl/landmark/marie1.htm (in Dutch).
  57. ^ "LaRouche cult is staging a comeback, ADL warns". Jewish Exponent. Philadelphia: Aug 5, 1994. Vol. 196, Iss. 6; pg. 15
  58. ^ Historic record - As of 2003, LOCC no longer functions as a centralized organization with common beliefs or practices.
  59. ^ "Philadelphia Police Official Quits Amid Criticism Over Fire" Los Angeles Times (1886-Current File); November 13, 1985. pg. 1 "Sambor was field commander of the police force's battle with the radical cult MOVE."
  60. ^ Staff.. "Party with Political Agenda Portrayed as Anti-Semitic Therapy Cult", The Buffalo News, Buffalo News Services, March 3, 1992. 
  61. ^ "A Cult by Any Other Name: The New Alliance Party Dismantled and Reincarnated," Anti-Defamation League Special Report, New York, 1995 [2]
  62. ^ Liz Spikol, "Group Hug: Is Social Therapy a political cult, as some have said?" Philadelphia Weekly, June 12, 2002 [3]; author answers her own question in "Boycott This Play!" Philadelphia Weekly, Sept. 4, 2002 [4]
  63. ^ Tom Robbins, "Shrink Rapped: TV Gotti's alleged cult doc," Village Voice, June 7, 2005 [5]
  64. ^ "Sheriff told to reinstate deputy: He was fired for giving out literature from a black supremacist cult." JOE JOHNSON. Florida Times Union. Jacksonville, Fla.: March 29, 2007. pg. B.4
  65. ^ "Political parties have been labeled as cults by a prominent clergyman, because of the slavish manner in which supporters adhere to party practices." Jamaica Gleaner, 2007-08-03.
  66. ^ Protest and Mysticisim: The Rastafari Cult of Jamaica by Sheila Kitzinger Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, Vol. 8, No. 2 (Autumn, 1969), pp. 240-262 accessed from this link
  67. ^ Guru English:South Asian Religion in Cosmopolitan Language Princeton University Press 2005 ISBN 0691118280
  68. ^ In Pursuit of Lakshmi: The Political Economy of the Indian State 1987, ISBN 0226731391
  69. ^ Shamans, Mystics and Doctors: Inquiry into India and its Healing Traditions” 1991 ISBN 0226422798
  70. ^ "The Sorrows of Werner: For the founder of est, a fresh round of charges", Newsweek, February 18, 1991
  71. ^ "The Joy Bucks Club", New York Times, January 16, 2005. Retrieved on 2007-08-21. "Mr. Hecht also became deeply involved in EST, the now defunct self-improvement cult run by Werner Erhard." 
  72. ^ "Words beyond belief Kirk condemns sect that boasts of cure for cancer and Aids;" Victoria Mitchell. Daily Mail. London (UK): Sep 17, 1998. pg. 27

Note: not all parts of all external sites linked here constitute the reliable sources required for listing groups in this article. Researchers find partly-reliable sites useful because they may archive reliable source articles or quotations that are otherwise not available, convenient, or free to access on line. However, use caution in relying on brief quotations that may be taken out of context or quoted in error.


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