The History Of Religion
In as we know it today, many new ideas have been expressed. It is easy to cast judgement on "new" religious ideas because they are not what we have become accustomed to. The First Amendment to the Constitution guarantees us the right to any religious belief no matter what it is. The Constitution also grants us all the freedom to start a new religion without being harassed by the authorities, or arrested. Throughout time, some people have decided that there is only one way to look at things. Any idea or belief system that differs from the accepted, established norms tends to be considered "fringe," and is often labeled as a cult. Although our Constitution protects our differing ...
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to secret societies, a religious belief that deviated from the accepted norm, and a strong authority figure at the head. All this has seemed strange to some people, but this type of situation has been going on since before the inception of this country. Today's modern cults have simply borrowed some of their ideas from the past. Society has tended to forget the past, and has oftentimes labeled these "cultists" insane.
Webster's dictionary defines the word cult as, "A formal religious variation, a religious system, a faddist devotion; a group of persons showing such devotion." In many ways, this description is an accurate one, but the description does not include some of our more modern points of view. In today's society, the word cult has several different connotations. Most all of the connotations associated with this word are bad. Cults are generally perceived to be evil, their members labeled as insane, their leaders are thought to be mad shepherds. Nevertheless, ...
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questions can help us to decide whether or not the different religion is in fact a cult.
Looking at David Koresh, and the Branch Davidians in Waco, Texas, it is safe to assume that he was in fact running a cult in his compound. How can we know this? Did David Koresh have absolute power over his flock? Of course he did. His followers all thought he was the Messiah, the voice of God, the key to their salvation. They followed him completely, trusted him implicitly, and believed him to be the only way to the truth of salvation. In return, David Koresh expected his followers to obey all of his commandments, to leave their homes and families, and to give him all their financial assets- ...
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The History Of Religion. (2006, June 16). Retrieved November 23, 2024, from http://www.essayworld.com/essays/The-History-Of-Religion/47664
"The History Of Religion." Essayworld.com. Essayworld.com, 16 Jun. 2006. Web. 23 Nov. 2024. <http://www.essayworld.com/essays/The-History-Of-Religion/47664>
"The History Of Religion." Essayworld.com. June 16, 2006. Accessed November 23, 2024. http://www.essayworld.com/essays/The-History-Of-Religion/47664.
"The History Of Religion." Essayworld.com. June 16, 2006. Accessed November 23, 2024. http://www.essayworld.com/essays/The-History-Of-Religion/47664.
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