Social Issues Essay, Research Paper
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Cults have been characterized as domineering and persuasive. Cults are
willing to prey on
any social class and gender in order to attain another member. The increasing
popularity of
joining cults is reflected on ?economic status, social class, and emotional
state? (Singer p.16,
1995). A conflict perspective suggests that poor economic stability, social
class, and no authority
attest to the fact that more people are joining cults, and that increasing
each might lessen the
chance of joining a cult. Authors Deikman, Levine, and McMahon argue that
cults merely prey
on those who are weak and of poor judgment. As social structures, cults serve
merely to
legitimate class subordination in ways that ensure joiners will worship and
follow the leader
(Singer p.30, 1995). Authors Dawson and Allen argue that cults look for
specific behaviours:
1. poor economic stability
2. social class
3. no authority
4. gender
Trends in Canadian cult joining by economics, class, authority, and gender
support the
view that these behaviours are typical of followers (Hoggart p.65, 1995).
Societal elements continue to let people have low incomes, low class, and no
authority
within a job. There is no regulation of cults and no regulation of how many
people join. Societal
elements continue to ignore people and continue to keep low economies, low
class, and no
authority within our society.
A conflict perspective argues the extent to which characteristics and
behaviours cults look
for when seeking out a new member.
One specific cult is the Catholic Church. Many people would not dare think of
a church
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as a cult, but, the church looks for specific characteristics of a new
member. Once a member
joins, they are there for life. If they decide to leave, they are shunned
from the church?s society
and are not acknowledged as a Catholic any longer.
Economic Stability
Conflict theorists, such as Weber, agree that ?economic interests are
important in shaping
human action?(Kendall p.15, 2000). Most members of a cult do not have a lot
of money. Pre
members usually have recently sold a house or are unemployed. Cult leaders
prey on these people
because of low economics. Members with no funds are vulnerable to the cult
since they are more
likely to stay within the group because they have no other place they can go.
Cults will prey and
persuade other people, like themselves, to join and stay within the cult.
Economic stability, according to Weber, produces inequality and conflict in
society
(Kendall p.21, 2000). A cult is a mini society, and within this society there
is an exploitation of
the followers. This exploitation of the members economics produces inequality
amongst the
followers and followers and also between the followers and leader. The
discrepancy between
followers and followers occurs when a majority of followers have low
economics while 5 percent
of other followers within the cult have higher economics. The low economic
followers will stay
together while the high economic followers do the same. Because the leader
has enormous
control over the followers, all followers will have to interact with each
other. This causes
conflict. The conflict between followers and followers is a great problem to
the leader. When a
conflict arises, the society the leader has established will eventually
collapse and followers are
most likely to leave when a major conflict arises. To solve this problem, the
leader ensures that
low economic followers are sometimes separated from the high economic
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followers. This will ensure that a huge conflict will not arise so suddenly.
A conflict between followers and leaders arises when the leader picks a
favourite follower.
This favourite member usually has money saved up, which he or she will
eventually hand over to
the leader (Levin p.72, 1984). Most followers will shutout the leaders pet,
leaving him or her to
become closer to the leader. This cycle will continue until the leaders pet
runs out of funds. The
leader will then pick another favourite follower.
When newcomers join a cult, they embrace the doctrines and practices. Soon
the cult?s
demands increase and the new member is asked to devote increasing amounts of
money. This
demand is justified as necessary to fulfill the group?s goals. Willingness
to give over financial
security is interpreted as a new member?s commitment and sincerity. The
sacrifices the new
member makes are compensated by the sense of belonging and purpose. The
leader then gives
temporary praise and acceptance to the member.
Inequalities and conflicts in the cult?s society could lead to a disaster.
Followers against
followers and followers against the leader should lead to a disband of the
society. The leader?s
ability to cease conflict is impressive. He takes money from members and
makes it an offering to
their god to cease the fighting. The other members then believe the conflict
will end. All conflicts
will usually stop at this point because now all members have to donate money.
Social Class
Conflict theorist Karl Marx said the bourgeoisie will exploit the proletariat
(Kendall p.21,
2000). The followers can be interpreted as the proletariat while the leader
is the bourgeoisie.
Leaders of cults are of a higher social class within the society of the cult
than the
members. This allows for exploitation and oppression.
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The majority of adolescents and adults who join a cult come from middle-class
backgrounds. New comers to a cult are regularly middle-class. Cult leaders
take the middle class
joiners and turn them into lower class members of the cult?s society by
taking their possessions.
The lowering of class is exploitation of the new joiners. Cult leaders will
prey on middle class
people because of easy exploitation and of the possessions accumulated by the
member. These
possessions will be given to the leader.
New members come from stable, middle-class families. This might lead to the
conclusion
that new members are mentally stable and loved, but the opposite is quite
true. Members who
come from stable, middle-class families are usually looking for some place
where they fit in. They
are rebelling and crave attention, which the leader gives them temporarily.
Less than 30 percent of cult joiners are of low or high class citizens
(Singer p.80, 1995).
Lower class joiners are frequently dissatisfied or distressed about the
social lives led. Low class
members of a cult are sent out to recruit other members who are of higher
social standings than
themselves. The leader exploits the low-class members by making them do
unbearable sacrifices.
Couples are split up, members are asked to choose different sexual partners,
and mothers are
asked to give up their babies. When the low class agrees to do these
requests, most other
members of the group, often middle-class members, will comply.
High-class members of a group frequently join because they are restless with
the lives led
and are looking for a more spiritual life. These members are asked to donate
thousands of dollars
to the leader so the leader can pray to their god for divine happiness and
love.
Within a cult, all members are of equal class. Not one member can be higher
in class than
other members within the society. The leader is the only one who has a high
social
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standing.
Authority
A conflict theorist believes that a social arrangement benefits some groups
at the expense
of others (Kendall, p.23, 2000). A person within a cult with no authority is
forced to conform to
the doctrines and practices that the cult leader has created. Force is not
usually needed when a
person with no authority enters a group because of their lack of self esteem
and confidence.
Before people join cults, they generally have jobs which allow them no
authority. In these
jobs, someone is telling the person what to do. This pre-member has no one to
order around and
feels powerless. These types of people are the ones recruitment members look
for. These
members will conform easily to the leaders requests. Once a member who fits
this description
joins, the leader will automatically take advantage of the person. The leader
will subject this
member to humiliating tasks such as cleaning dirty bathrooms and looking
after the sick. Taking
care of the sick is considered dirty because they are not clean. Within some
cults cleanliness is
next to godliness.
A conflict theorist would ague that the leader will attempt to preserve
status quo and may
use coercion to do so (Kendall p.21. 2000). The leader takes those with no
authority in their lives
and makes them feel protected and cared for. Members who have no authority in
their lives join a
cult because there is no anxiety. There is no need for this member to feel
powerless, only like an
equal to those members who do the same work as he or she. Members become
subordinates who
conform to the leader?s likes and dislikes. Members then look upon the
leader as a supporter and
comforter. The leader knows what kind of power he or she possesses and knows
where his
subordinates stand.
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Members with no authority in their lives join because they feel useless in
their society.
They want to look for a place where they feel equal. Once a member,
conformity takes place
almost immediately. Loyalty is a top priority, secrecy and competition for
the leaders approval
becomes a conflict and obedience is a prime virtue.
A disregard for all human values is found as one of the characteristics of
no-authority
members. They do not have any self-esteem and do not take into account anyone
else?s feelings.
Weber has distinguished between three different types of authority:
traditional,
charismatic, and rational-legal (Dawson p.139, 1998). Leaders of cults tend
to rule by traditional
authority. Their right to exercise authority over others is granted because
it has always been that
way.
Members who conform to the leaders demands are characterized as no-authority
types.
This type of person will do anything the leader or any of
will ask him or she to
do. This type of member is dominated easily. Many group members will not shun
this member
because he or she is a valuable person to them. This member will do any type
of work to feel like
he or she belongs.
Gender
Cults frequently have an equal amount of male-female relations, but cults are
commonly
known to include more female members than male. This is because the female
members are more
compliant toward their male sexual partner and their primary role within the
cults society is to
nurture the sexual partner and the offspring materially, emotionally, and
spiritually. The female
gender is looked upon as a sexual outlet (Levine p.74, 1984) rather than a
conversationalist.
Female members usually have approximately 10 male sexual partners. Each
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female is expected to give birth to, at minimum, 10 children. Female members
join because they
feel like they have to make a difference. Children are a highly valued
resource within the cult.
Male children are especially valued because are perceived as the future of
the cult. The leader, in
certain cults, will choose a male child and turn him into the leader?s
prot?g?e. If the child turns
out to be the ?divine child? the leader will hand over his or her duties
to the child.
The male role within the cult is to be actively and emotionally involved in
the family life.
This would relieve the male of being a breadwinner and protector. The leader
takes on this
responsibility. The male is known to possess close to 35 to 40 female sexual
partners. Free-love
is a common saying taken literally. The prime reason the male has many female
partners is to
procreate. The more children a male can accumulate the better his chances are
of impressing the
leader, which is unlikely. The leader only wants to find the ?divine child?.
When the leader has
this child, creating a baby is not impressive to the leader any longer.
The gender of the leader is predominately male. This is because males are
looked upon as
having a greater sense of power than women. The gander of the leader is
usually kept secret from
many members until the leader gives a speech or is actually seen by members.
If seen by a
member, the gender is still kept in secrecy. If this member revealed the
gender of the leader,
severe punishment would be administered or the member would be thrown out of
his society.
Gender roles within a cult society are very important to keep order and
peace.
Procreation is also another important factor. The extra members added to a
society, the better the
chance of the cults survival. The offspring will understand and believe the
doctrines and practices
that they have been taught and will marry within the society.
Catholic Church as a Cult
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The Catholic Church is seen as a holy place where people go to pray to their
God. Church
may be seen as a cult. A cult looks for specific types of people. The types
of people that attend
church are many different social classes, but the ones that the church
regards highly are the high
class of society. This class will donate thousands of dollars toward the
church?s practices and
beliefs. Many of the high class members are willing to sell their property
and houses for the
church?s survival.
The church also has an unpleasant side. Once a member commits a sin, they
must tell a
priest, or leader of the church, and repeat many prayers in order for the
sinner to be saved. If a
member decides to attain a divorce, the church will not let that person
receive the host and this
person is not looked upon as a true Catholic, but a sinner against God.
A priest, or leader of the church, is usually male, while female priests are
frequently
unheard of, much like cult leaders are predominately male.
Alter boys are priests? prodigies. They will follow within the priests
footsteps to someday
become as holy as he.
To think of church as a cult is usually unheard of. The characteristics a
church possesses
are partially like that of some cults characteristics: members are often
female, high class people
are looked upon with great esteem because of their money, authority within
the church is like that
of a cult leader, traditional, the divine right of the priest is to have
authority over their church.
Church is like that of a cult. The characteristics are the same as a cult and
behaviours of
church members is the same. Members of a church will often preach their
beliefs to others in
hopes of recruiting new members. Members of a church will consistently try to
convince people
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that their god is the true god and their god will save you from eternal
damnation, if you are
baptized, acquire the first communion, get married in the ?house of god?,
and repent your sons on
your deathbed.
Since the church does contain many characteristics of a cult, a church can be
defined as a
cult. Many people believe that the church is entirely different from a cult,
but many traits are the
same. If people realized that the church was a cult, there might be a drastic
amount of members
leaving their doctrines and practices.
Economic interest is very important to cult leaders. A persons financial
stability will
determine how far the cult will reach. If members with high economic security
join, the leader
will take their money and will gain more followers and the members will reach
a better
understanding of the leaders divination and will lead ?happier? lives.
Social class is important within a society. High class members are more
willing to donate
money because they want to reach a spiritual life. Middle class members sell
their possessions to
give money to the leader. They think if this is not done, the leader will
throw them out of the cult.
Low class members are often asked to perform unbearable tasks and are often
the recruiting team
for the leader. All people are degraded to low-class members of the society.
The leader is the
only high class member.
Authority is only possessed by the leader. All other members have no
authority over
anyone else. If a new member with no authority joins, other members might
take advantage of
him or her. This member will conform easily to the leaders demands.
Gender plays an important role. The leader is usually male while females are
used for
sexual objects who nurture their sexual partners and children. Males are
often the dominating
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ones within a family. The males feel they must procreate in order for the
leader to find the ?divine
child?.
The Catholic Church has many characteristics of a cult. When people start to
believe that
church is like a cult, many members will presumably leave their practices.
The church does not
necessarily prey on others against their will, but members from the church
will frequently preach
their beliefs to others.
Conflict theorists agree that poor economics, social class, no authority
within one?s life,
and gender play a role in people?s behaviours about joining cults. Cults
impair ordinary
judgement and create a regressive pull on members of cults.
Beyond heightening awareness, there are specific ways to reduce cult
behaviour in society.
An effective way would be to promote anti-authoritarian education.
Authoritarian leaders
stimulate the leader/follower experience. By giving up the authoritarian
education, society allows
for a leader/leader experience. If this is not promoted, possibly many more
adolescents will join a
cult. People should see the fantasy of a cult as a lie. Cults are deceptive
and persuasive. Reality
of peoples lives may be hard to deal with, but a cult in no escape. With
decades of research to be
read, the full realization of cults and why people join cults are hopefully
realized.
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End Notes
Singer, Margaret (1995). Cults in our Midst: The Hidden Menace in our
Everyday Lives. P.16
Deikman, Arthur (1990). The Wrong Way Home: Uncovering the Patterns of Cult
Behaviour in
American Society. P.26
Levine, Saul (1984). Radical Departures: Desperate Detours to Growing Up. P.
32
McMahon, T.A (1985). The Seduction of Christianity: Spiritual Discernment in
the Last Days
P.64
Singer, Margaret (1995). Cults in our Midst: The Hidden Menace in our
Everyday Lives. P.30
Dawson, Lorne (1998). Comprehending Cults: The Sociology of New Religious
Movements P.42
Allen, Steve (1982). Beloved Son: A Story of the Jesus Cults. P. 55
Hoggart, Simon (1995). Bizarre Beliefs. P.65
Kendall, Diana (2000). Sociology in our Times. (Second Edition). P.15
Kendall, Diana (2000). Sociology in our Times. (Second Edition). P.21
Levine, Saul (1984). Radical Departures: Desperate Detours to Growing Up. P.
72
Kendall, Diana (2000). Sociology in our Times. (Second Edition). P.21
Singer, Margaret (1995). Cults in our Midst: The Hidden Menace in our
Everyday Lives. P.80
Kendall, Diana (2000). Sociology in our Times. (Second Edition). P.23
Kendall, Diana (2000). Sociology in our Times. (Second Edition). P.21
Dawson, Lorne (1998). Comprehending Cults: The Sociology of New Religious
Movements
P.139
Levine, Saul (1984). Radical Departures: Desperate Detours to Growing Up. P.
74
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