DISTINGUISHING BETWEEN AUTHENTIC RELIGION AND CULTS, EXTREMISM AND FALSE PROPHETS Source: adapted from CHARACTERISTICS AUTHENTIC RELIGION CULTS/EXTREMINSM LEADER Most have a significant founder Most cults/extremists groups who introduced the are focused on a living leader to development of the faith. whom members have an unquestioning commitment. Most religions have current Members believe the leader has religious leaders who are the some special mission to save authority of the faith and lead humanity – FALSE PROPHET. at religious events. They do not call attention to The living leader is very charismatic (compelling charm) themselves. Examples: who is usually a single male who dominates the membership; Pope Francis – Bishop of Rome Dalai Lama –Spiritual Leader of demanding total obedience and the People of Tibet discourages independent thinking from members. Religious leaders do not control The leadership may tell or dominate the religious members how to think, act, and adherents (followers of the feel. This may include who to faith). marry, what types of clothes to wear, where to live, how to discipline children, and so forth. RULES OF CONDUCT Most religions have a code of Cults are focused on a conduct conduct / ethics that guides the that involves altering members’ religious adherents and moral behaviour. behaviour. Mind-numbing techniques (are used to suppress doubts about Offer set of answers to most the group and its leader(s), and pressing life questions, such as questioning is seen as the meaning of suffering, what disobedience. happens after death etc… Members are usually sleep derived and not given a proper diet to eat. Members experience love bombing.
DISTINGUISHING BETWEEN AUTHENTIC RELIGION AND CULTS, EXTREMISM AND FALSE PROPHETS Source: adapted from CHARACTERISTICS AUTHENTIC RELIGION CULTS/EXTREMINSM LEADER Most have a significant founder who introduced the development of the faith. Most religions have current religious leaders who are the authority of the faith and lead at religious events. They do not call attention to themselves. Examples: Pope Francis – Bishop of Rome Dalai Lama –Spiritual Leader of the People of Tibet Religious leaders do not control or dominate the religious adherents (followers of the faith). Most cults/extremists groups are focused on a living leader to whom members have an unquestioning commitment. Members believe the leader has some special mission to save humanity – FALSE PROPHET. The living leader is very charismatic (compelling charm) who is usually a single male who dominates the membership; demanding total obedience and discourages independent thinking from members. The leadership may tell members how to think, act, and feel. This may include who to marry, what types of clothes to wear, where to live, how to discipline children, and so forth. RULES OF CONDUCT Most religions have a code of conduct / ethics that guides the religious adherents and moral behaviour. Offer set of answers to most pressing life questions, such as the meaning of suffering, what happens after death etc… Cults are focused on a conduct that involves altering members’ behaviour. Mind-numbing techniques (are used to suppress doubts about the group and its leader(s), and questioning is seen as disobedience. Members are usually sleep derived and not given a proper diet to eat. Members experience love bombing.
Grade-11-Open-RE-Resource.FINAL-18-06-21.docx