(A cult in the webster's is defined as," a system of religious worship, especially with the reference to it's rites and ceremonies".) The word cult comes from the Latin word cultus, which means "worship". "In this sense the cultic act is an act of worship, involving external rites and ceremonies as well as attitudes of reverential homage"(12). But what makes a cult, a cult?
             At one point in time Lutheranism, evangelical Jews, and even Christianity were considered cults. Cults differ from other religious organizations in terms of; leadership, rituals, and their doctrines. Cults are led by a charismatic leader who exercises authoritarian leadership, cultists engage in rituals that are out of the norm, and their doctrines contradict that of the scriptures. Such a cult is the Holy Spirit Association for the Unification of World Christianity (better known as the Unification Church)
             The Unification Church was founded in 1954, by a North Korean named Sun Myung Moon. "It's purposes are, two-fold: first to resolve the complex problems of our age with a new principle based on Godism, and second, to build the Heavenly Kingdom on Earth".(63) The church spread to different countries around the world. Followers of this church are called the Moonies, and they claim to have two to three million members world-wide.
             "God is now throwing Christianity away and is now establishing a new religion, and this new religion is the Unification Church...with the fullness of time, God has sent his messenger to resolve the fundamental questions of life and the universe. His name is Sum Myung Moon."(Divine Principle) Sun Myung Moon (which means "shinning proper letter") was born on January 6, 1920 in North Korea. His religious background was that of Presbyterian. His parents sent him to Seoul were he attended high school at a Pentacostal chruch, and went to Japan to a...