cults
Recently during our in class discussion we where introduced to the definition of acult. So unbenounced to myself I was unaware of the fact this paper was due. Which isentirely my fault. This in turn peaked my interest to learn more of the cult and where thisterm originated. So The past week I attempted to read many articles on such things as The controversy surrounding new religious movements seems to be foremostconcerned with whether or not the members of these religions come of their own freewillor if they convert as a necessary and inevitable response to coercion, or "brainwashing"techniques employed by the cult leaders. I previously stated this in one of my Journalentries. "It seems that there is always one man in charge with all the power". With thispower he can inevitably induce a form of "brainwashing". The concept of brainwashing came into popular existence in the 1950's as theresult of attempts to try and explain the behavior of some American GI's who defected tothe Communists during the Korean War (19 Oct 1999). Many people, including someprofessionals, found brainwashing to be an acceptable explanation for the otherwise
Many of the things regarding cults could be argued by James. In the1960's and 1970's the brainwashing debate again took center stage, this time in anattempt to explain the behavior of so-called radicals who left behind a "normal" life andopted instead for a "cult" existence. If brainwashing is not an appropriate explanation for the conversion of people toNRM's than what is? A common theme on the anticult side of the conversion debate isthe argument that members are, to varying degrees, predisposed to becoming cultmembers. As I am right now, I am just "winging it". Then once again we mustquestion and dispute is it brainwashing or rather a free choice? The concept ofbrainwashing is still often relied on to account for behavior that is otherwise culturallyunjustifiable. The brainwashing theory conveniently provides an outlet for the anti-cultmovement to answer to the question of why some people chose NRM's over mainstreamreligions. ,) frequently regard their cult experience as a positiveand therapeutic experience, even after leaving the cult environment (Dawson, 1996:205). However, the brainwashing theory did nothing to explain whyhundreds of other captured GI's chose to remain true to their country even at the risk ofbeing tortured. Despite the fact that there do not appear to be any studies that conclusivelyprovide evidence of brainwashing as a legitimate explanation for joining, and in spite ofthe many studies that have refuted that brainwashing defense successfully, thebrainwashing theory continues to be debated regularly. While it is true that at times some cult members appear to be more vulnerable to cultrecruiting (Dawson, 1996:205), it remains that vulnerability and predisposed are twodifferent concepts. Such as you can believe in what you want, like "mysticalexperiences". The exercising of freewill, or choice, by cult inductees is evident but theirfrequent church, or cult, hopping done in order to find a group whose beliefs andpractices best answer their questions (Dawson, 1996:205). II Brief conclusionOften times in paper we must state the facts and argue each case with out opinion. It is extremely hard to put ones own personal thoughtsand feelings into a paper.
Common topics in this essay:
Korean War,
John Clark,
Introduction Recently,
UC Proponents,
II Brief,
Unification Church,
brainwashing theory,
mainstream religions,
American GI's,
concept brainwashing,
Shelley Leibert,
dawson 1996205,
19 oct 1999,
religious movements,
brainwashing legitimate,
explain behavior,
account behavior,
feel themselves,
19 oct,
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Acceptance Essays
