Cults
The term ‘cult’ can be used in a positive, negative, or neutral sense. It does not necessarily have a pejorative meaning, although the term has taken on negative connotations — precisely due to the behaviour of some groups that have been identified as cults.
The ambiguity of the term ‘cult’ makes it necessary to identify or determine in what sense the word is used.
Note that the term ‘cult’ can be defined either sociologically or theologically. Sociology concerns itself with behavior, while theology concerns itself with doctrine. [More about the differences between sociological and theological definitions of the term 'cult']
Also, in some countries the term ‘sect‘ — equally ambiguous in meaning — is used instead of the word ‘cult.’
More information:
• Cult FAQ — Frequently Asked Questions About Cults, Sects, and Related Issues
• Cult Definition
See also:
Sunday March 4, 2012
Cult Experts • Cults • RNB's Religion News Blog: 
The Cult Information Centre, a UK charity that warns people of the dangers of cults, is set to have its funding withdrawn. The problems started when a complaint was made to the commission about the centre’s educational remit.
Wednesday January 25, 2012
Cults • RNB's Religion News Blog: ‘Fatal Attraction’ star Glenn Close has told New York Magazine that she was well-equipped for a career in acting because she grew up in what she refers to as a ‘cult’ — which gave her the chance to practice pretending to be someone she was not.
Friday January 13, 2012
Cult Experts • Cults • RNB's Religion News Blog • Scientology: After 25 years in operation, the Cult Information Centre in England fears it may no longer be able to work effectively. The Cult Information Centre (CIC) was granted education charity status in 1992 but has recently run into difficulties with the commission after complaints were received from the Church of Scientology that it is in breach of the rules governing status.
Thursday November 10, 2011
Cults • Israel • RNB's Religion News Blog: 
A panel of academics and professionals from Israel’s Ministry of Welfare and Social Services will meet Thursday to discuss the possibility of creating legislation to legally outlaw sects and cultish practices in Israel. The one-day symposium will explore the ethical dilemma of curbing such groups and attempt to sharpen the definition of what constitutes a cult.
Wednesday November 2, 2011
Australia • Cults • RNB's Religion News Blog: 
South Australia’s chief prosecutor is calling for new laws to thwart the rise of cults across the nation. Stephen Pallaras says a new approach by law-makers needs to address the “mental damage and mental harm” caused by cults.
Tuesday November 1, 2011
Cult Experts • Cults • RNB's Religion News Blog: Global fears of economic or environmental upheaval feed the growth of gurus and damaging cults that prey on the weak, a French government expert on cults has warned during a visit to Australia. >Georges Fenech, president of France’s Interministerial >Mission for Monitoring and Combating Cultic Deviances, said it was working for greater international co-operation in dealing with sectarian abuses.
Thursday August 4, 2011
Breslov-related • Cults • RNB's Religion News Blog: 
The three central defendants in a Jerusalem cult were indicted in the Jerusalem District Court on Wednesday, in a case of what police and social workers have called the worst abuse of its kind they have seen in decades.Tuesday August 2, 2011
Breslov-related • Cults • RNB's Religion News Blog: 
Israel Police, in cooperation with Jerusalem district officers and social services, arrested nine members of a cult living in Jerusalem and in the Tiberias area over the past few weeks, on suspicion of carrying out emotional and physical abuse of women and children over a two year period. Police and social workers familiar with the case described severe physical, emotional, and sexual violence, that landed several of the children in the hospital, some multiple times.
Wednesday May 25, 2011
Cults • Israel • RNB's Religion News Blog: The Israeli government must create comprehensive legislation to combat the phenomenon of cults in Israel and provide a clearer definition of what constitutes cult activity, a report published Monday by a special Ministry of Welfare and Social Affairs task force has recommended. Authored by the team of professionals that dealt with the fallout of Israel’s largest cult to date – that headed by Tel Aviv polygamist Goel Ratzon – the 48-page report focuses on four main areas: preventive action, therapeutic intervention, legislation and government involvement.
Saturday October 16, 2010
Cults • Natasha Lakaev: Carli McConkey spent the best years of her life in a cult. She only escaped earlier this year. What’s frightening about her story is that this could happen to any of us. Clinical Professor Doni Whitsett of the University of Southern California has been working with victims of cults and their families for 20 years. Carli’s is ”a tragic textbook case”, she says.
Wednesday July 7, 2010
Cult Experts • Cults • RNB's Religion News Blog • Scientology: Video: Listen in on a casual conversation between cult expert Steve Hassan, ex-Scientologist Paul Grosswald — a long-time anti-cult activist, and ex-Scientologist Karen Pressley, who was a top person at the cult’s Celebrity Centre, a Seo Org member, and who worked directly for David Miscavige for 4 years.
Karen talks about her presentation at the ICSA conference with ex-Children of God member Miriam Boeri (who wrote Heaven’s Harlots), suppression of her new book by the Scientology cult, and its forthcoming release.
Karen talks about her presentation at the ICSA conference with ex-Children of God member Miriam Boeri (who wrote Heaven’s Harlots), suppression of her new book by the Scientology cult, and its forthcoming release.
Saturday July 3, 2010
Books • Cults: 
Benjamin Zeller, a religious studies professor, often shared routine small talk with members of three well-known American cults during the five years he spent researching and writing his recently published book, “Prophets and Protons.”“It amazes me when I study these groups, how human we all are,” Zeller says. “So much of their lives are normal stuff. They struggle with questions we all struggle with.”Saturday June 26, 2010
Cult Experts • Cults • RNB's Religion News Blog: Twitter tip: Follow cult expert Steve Hassan.
A former member of a religious cult himself, Steve Alan Hassan has been on the forefront of cult awareness activism since 1976.
He is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and is considered an expert on destructive mind control issues.
A former member of a religious cult himself, Steve Alan Hassan has been on the forefront of cult awareness activism since 1976.
He is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and is considered an expert on destructive mind control issues.
Monday June 21, 2010
Agape Ministries • Cults: A month after South Australian police raided more than a dozen properties associated with the bizarre Adelaide-based Agape Ministries doomsday cult, several questions remain unanswered. But for independent senator Nick Xenophon the weapons found during the raids are a chilling reminder that decisive action must be taken to prevent cults getting footholds in Australian society.
Monday May 24, 2010
Cults: 
Australia should introduce anti-cult legislation similar to laws operating in France, Independent Senator Nick Xenophon says. “The current laws that we have just don’t deal with issues of psychological manipulation, effectively brainwashing, the way that people are deceived into handing over their money to these cults,” he said.
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