Cults are, by definition (American Heritage dictionary): "dissenting from established religion or culture; excessive devotion to one person or thing." Cults can be pseudo-Christian (David Koresh's Branch Davidian group, for example), psuedo-Eastern (Hare Krishna, for example), even UFO-oriented (the Heaven's Gate cult, for example).

Almost no one is totally immune. Most cult members are bright, college-educated people at a vulnerable moment in their lives who are seeking to belong. Cults seem to offer a higher purpose in life, while hiding their true agenda of more power or money for the cult leader.

Characteristics of a Cult:

1) Discredit or twist the meaning of the Bible

2) Started by an individual with a messiah or God complex who also heads the cult and demands total subjection by followers

3) Followers depend upon the promises of a human, authoritarian leader

4) Heavy indoctrination techniques are used to turn followers away from their family and friends, in order to keep them in the cult

This is done through:

• isolation

• hunger

• change in diet

• lack of sleep

Some Reasons for Cults in Today's Society:

1) disillusionment with society

2) loss of ideals by some individuals

3) fear of the future

4) breakdown of traditional family structure

5) lack of respect for authority in society

6) hero worship in today's society makes people susceptible to cult leaders

7) perceived failure of mainstream churches to focus on the individual rather than the institution

8) love of some for spiritual darkness

*Signs of the times: see Matthew Chapter 24 in the Bible: Jesus spoke of cults and false impersonators

-- Daniel R. Casseday, Director of Marketing, University of South Florida, Tampa (posted 1/10, 2:25 p.m., E.S.T.)

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