Cults

• What type of organizations are churches described as?

  Mainstream, formal, conservative
• What is the primary interest of churches?

  Preserving society and resisting social change
• How do churches accommodate members' working lives?

  By having low levels of commitment
• What type of structure do churches typically have?

  Hierarchical structures
• What do churches claim regarding their beliefs?

  They claim a monopoly of truth
• What are sects characterized by?

  High levels of exclusivity
• Why do sects break away from churches?

  Due to dissatisfaction with teachings and practices
• How do sects view wider society?

  They often face disagreement from society
• What type of leadership do sects typically have?

  Charismatic leader
• What is the general political orientation of sects?

  Very right-wing
• How do sects relate to other religions?

  Members tend to be hostile to them
• How are denominations described in relation to sects and churches?

  As a halfway house
• What is the structure of denominations compared to churches and sects?

  Less hierarchical than churches, more than sects
• What is the commitment level required by denominations?

  Low commitment
• What class do most members of denominations belong to?

  Middle class
• How do denominations engage with social issues?

  They comment and campaign on them
• What do denominations not claim regarding their beliefs?

  Monopoly of truth
• How do cults differ from other religious groups?

  They are small with distinct characteristics
• What type of membership do cults typically have?

  Low levels of commitment
• What is the nature of participation in cults?

  Members can come and go freely
• What is the aim of cults for their members?

  To help improve their life in this world
• Do cults usually claim a monopoly of truth?

  No, they don’t usually claim it
• What is an audience cult?

  Least organized, no formal membership
• How do audience cults typically engage with members?

  Through media participation
• What defines client cults?

  Based on consultant-client relationships
• What services do client cults provide?

  Therapies for personal fulfillment
• How do cultic movements differ from other cults?

  They demand a higher level of commitment
• What is an example of a cultic movement?

  Scientology
• How can client cults evolve into cultic movements?

  Through their most enthusiastic followers
• What is the relationship between Dianetics and Scientology?

  Scientology developed from the client cult Dianetics