Cults

Cults

Introduction

Man is a social being, and naturally longs to be in some sort of company. This behavior is deeply rooted in the human nature and that need to be around someone is the reason why the family system emerged. Not only this helps satisfy his need but this creates a system that forms a society. Some individuals however, are not satisfied by this level and seek more in terms of power, safety, recognition or general control of other people. While it may seem normal at first (Politicians?), but eventually that need intensifies and leads to irrational, sometimes behavior that may bring harm to themselves or to a group of people. Normally, people label that individual as 'psycho' and perhaps they're right. But that abnormal behavior must have a reason that makes sense to that individual so much that it made him to take that step where normal and abnormal collided.

At this moment, a word pops into mind: A Cult. While there is no universal definition, but a general belief is that: A group of minorities that have some connection to religious belief and a leader that distorts the general view with his personality and theatrics or fear instilling, forcing people to give up their normal behavior and in some cases, invoke them to give up their lives for greater goal.

Discussion

A general belief is that cults require a strong adherence to a certain set of beliefs and in return provides a purpose that gives some meaning to the lives of their followers. The followers in return feel rewarded believing that they will be saved from harm as they have helped out the leader, who holds a place in their minds as their savior. Cults employ empathy in recruiting individuals, particularly young men and women as they feel difficulties either from their immediate environment or from social pressure such as friends, work etc. These young people feel that the group accepts them and their recruiters want to help them and cult members make them believe that they will find solace in their company. Dissociative identity disorders are a common feature among members of a cult and guilt is associated in the beginning of induction for they are told to leave their old life in order to begin a new one. Sometimes, members are coerced into following by different methods that include torture, kidnapping a loved one to force them not to leave and even murder. (Strickland, 2001).

What makes the cults turn to aggression? Perhaps it is their belief that out of self-preservation or that fact that their need to do this in order to restore balance. Many of the cults have the need to show their power. They believe that they have no obligation to follow any laws imposed by state or religious authorities and the fact that some believe that all social orders will be overthrown by God. An example of such behavior that led to mass suicide is The Order of The Solar Temple and Heaven's ...