A cult is a group of people who share an interest in an object, a goal, a personality or even religious beliefs. They often describe deviant behavior. The term can also be used to define people who show great loyalty to a person, a movement, an idea or an object. Sectarian groups vary in size, from small local groups to vast millions of people around the world. The groups are guided by different motivations, such as religious, political and even cultural reasons. There are numerous sects in the world. The cults are divided into different categories such as doomsdays, terrorist cults, racist cults, political cults, polygamous cults and destructive cults.
- Doomsday
The sects of doomsday share the belief in the Apocalypse. The Doomsday Cults teach their followers about the impending disaster at the end of the world. The term “Doomsday Cult” was coined in 1966 by an American sociologist John Lofland. Psychologist Leon Festinger also conducted research on the behavior of followers of the Doomsday cults. Festinger found that members chose cataclysmic teachings because traditional movements had failed them. Judgment day cults have common traits like a charismatic leader, convincing messages used to convince members, secrecy in their operations, request for blind loyalty, isolation from society and brainwashing their followers. One of the most famous Judgment Day Cults is the religious movement of ”
The People’s Temple had a complex leadership structure that helped manage the growing number of followers. In 1965, Jones prophesied a nuclear holocaust that would wipe out civilization and capitalism. The group has rented land in Guyana and moved there. The cult members lived together as a community in a large enclosure. The place was named “Jonestown”. A congressman, Leo Ryan, visited Jonestown in November 17th, 1978 for suspicions of harassment of members of the congregation. Mr. Ryan was murdered shortly after his visit on his way home. On the same day, Mr. Ryan was assassinated the leader of the People’s Temple. Jim Jones led his members to commit mass suicide. A group of 918 people drank cyanide-sewn Kool-Aid. Unfortunately, this dose was lethal for everyone involved. He recorded the highest deaths at once in America due to the deliberate action. In the same year, the organization was dissolved due to bankruptcy.
- terrorist
The terrorist sects guide their members to commit acts of terror on people outside the group. The groups are led by charismatic leaders who manipulate their followers. The terrorist sects teach their members violence. The Islamic State (ISIS) has been cited as a terrorist cult. The group recruits its members from all over the world. ISIS recruits are isolated from society and have a new identity. They get new names, new wardrobes and their diets change. Members are followed through rigorous training on how to conduct violent acts. The group has undertaken countless terrorist actions around the world. Inhuman acts include beheadings, bombings, shootings and trucks that manage people. THE’
- Racist
The racist cults are formed by people who fight against the infiltration of their race by other inferior perceived races. Likewise, minority race groups come together to fight for fair treatment. In America, the Ku Klux Klan is one of the most famous cults of all time. The group was formed in the 19th century shortly after the Civil War. Members wore hats, masks and conical robes to hide their identities and terrorize their victims. Ku Klux Klan members have targeted black families and black political leaders. They carried out weekly murders of black Americans. After the federal court declared racial segregation illegal, the Ku Klux Klan’s influence eased. Currently, small groups distributed in the United States identify with the group,
- Polygamous
Polygamous Cults are groups that encourage and practice marriage for more than two people. Most polygamous cults teach polygyny, so a man marries more than one wife. In the 19th century, the Church of Latter-day Saints denounced the practice of polygyny. Church members who were dissatisfied with the decision to form their community where polygamy was still allowed. This group of splinters turned into polygamous cults in the United States.
- Politician
The seven policies are driven by problems of development and governance. Their members share a common ideology. One of these groups is the LaRouche movement. The movement promotes more funding in the scientific community, promotion of classical art, financial reforms and infrastructure development. The LaRouche movement has members in the United States and in European countries such as Sweden, Italy, Germany, Poland and France. Members of the LaRouche movement take part in fundraising activities, cultural celebrations, political events and periodic meetings. The founder of the movement, Lyndon LaRouche, competed unsuccessfully for the post of President of the United States for eight consecutive elections (1976-2004). Mr. LaRouche was accused of conducting violent campaigns in the 1980s. His workers made numerous harassing calls to his opponents and threatened journalists. In 1991, followers of the movement campaigned against UN sanctions imposed on Iraq. They created a committee that tried to save the children of Iraq. LaRouche supporters were also opposed to the Gulf War. The LaRouche affiliates are scattered around the world. The main center of the movement in Europe is in Germany, where LaRouche’s wife is the leader. The LaRouche affiliates are scattered around the world. The main center of the movement in Europe is in Germany, where LaRouche’s wife is the leader. The LaRouche affiliates are scattered around the world. The main center of the movement in Europe is in Germany, where LaRouche’s wife is the leader.
. Destructive
According to the American psychologist Michael Langone, a destructive cult is one that exploits its members and deliberately damages them physically or emotionally. Destructive sects also inflict damage on the general public. Some of the traits of a destructive cult are totalitarian governance, isolation from family ties, the adoption of a new identity and the demand for money by followers. Members of the destructive sects will likely be abused by their authoritarian leaders. Aum Shinrikyo is one of the destructive sects based in Japan. The leader of the group was Shoko Asahara in the early 1990s. Aum Shinrikyo started as a missionary group, but later adopted destructive traits. The followers produced dangerous sarin gases they used to assassinate adversaries and deserters. In March 20th, 1995, Aum Shinrikyo members conducted a deadly attack on the Tokyo subway station by systematically releasing Sarin gas in five different trains. The attack led to the death of 13 and the victims of 900.
