Characteristics Of Cult Classification Of The Family

The Family holds many characteristics that classify it as a cult rather than any other new religious movement, and it will hold that classification unless it undergoes some serious structural changes. By looking at this group through the lenses of different theories pertaining to cult classification, I am confident in saying that this group meets enough qualifications to put it into the ‘cult’ grouping. The Family is a new religious movement that I am defining as a cult. It hits on all the qualifications concerning leadership, structure, recruitment, and deprivation theories. Differing from a sect, The Family â€Å"†¦ does not call for a return to the original, pure religion, but rather emphasizes the new† , because it seeks to interpret the†¦show more content†¦By Johnstone’s definition, the deprivation theory has five distinct forms of deprivation. Firstly, â€Å"†¦economic deprivation, which consists of limited income and access to th e material necessities of life.† The members of The Family were and are required to pay dues to the church and donate a percentage of their annual income to pre-selected charities, as a form of tithes. These required donations put financial strains on members of the cult, and limits their ability to fully provide for themselves. Secondly, â€Å"†¦social deprivation refers to the relative absence of such societal rewards as prestige, power, social status, and opportunity for participation in various activities and organizations.† By becoming a member of this cult, people were relinquishing their individuality in a sense, and accepting the fact that they would fall in line under the rule of David Berg. In an interview with an ex-cult member, she says â€Å"I took a new name. I cast off my belongings. If this abrupt change hurt my friends, I was blind to it. I lost contact with them. I was completely swept up in my zeal.† By alienating herself from her forme r life, she not only is playing into being socially deprived in her world, but also to experiencing the alienation theory in action. The more secluded a cult member was from their former life and relationships, the more power the cult tended to have over them. Ethical and psychic deprivation further isolate cult membersShow MoreRelatedThe Religious Cult Of Cults1028 Words   |  5 PagesMost of our thoughts about cults today are often a misconception of ideas that derive from our imagination. Practices that resemble a strange ritual or ceremony would certainly be fitting. Most of our culture could potentially spot a religious cult if the anomalies, or strange behaviors were evident. This simply is not a good way to identify cults today though. These groups are no longer apparent to the naked eye. 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