LIBS (Cults and Terrorism) Module 3 Notes
docx
keyboard_arrow_up
School
Sheridan College *
*We aren’t endorsed by this school
Course
1970
Subject
Philosophy
Date
Feb 20, 2024
Type
docx
Pages
7
Uploaded by DrStrawGazelle30
M
ODULE
3: U
NDERSTANDING
THE
C
ULT
P
HENOMENON
H
Introduction
We now know that numerous cults of different types have been active throughout thousands of years of human history. With the sheer number of cults and new religious movements, it would take a lifetime to study them all. To understand the cult phenomenon, we must be able to identify patterns from a selection of all these examples. This module will introduce proposed frameworks useful for analyzing cults.
The Movement for the Restoration of the Ten Commandments of God (MRTCG) is one example. Their beliefs were
based on the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church, however they felt that a focus on the Ten Commandments needed to be restored. In an effort to ensure all members adhered strictly to the commandments, members would avoid sex, refuse medical care, and even use sign language to communicate (Pieter. 2006, pg. 158). Other ritualistic practices were also incorporated into the movement. The Roman Catholic Church denounced the group’s activities.
Overview
Apocalyptic cults, otherwise known as a doomsday cults or death cults, are groups that either act based on predictions of apocalypse or disaster or seek to create death or disaster. This disaster can lead to the end of the world, or to a major transformation (the end of the world as we know it).
Example
MRTCG members believed that, with the second coming of Jesus Christ on December 31st, 1999, everyone on earth would die, and the Virgin Mary would bring members to heaven. When this event did not occur, the leaders of MRTCG proclaimed that the date had been pushed to March 17th, 2000. Those that lost faith due to the inaccurate prediction are theorised to have been murdered and left in mass graves (160).
On March 17, 2000, over 300 MRTCG members gathered in their church, with boarded windows and locked doors,
and the building was lit on fire by use of an explosive device. This is believed to have been intentional mass-
suicide. Between the mass suicide and bodies found in multiple mass-grave sites, approximately 800 members died (156).
Conceptual Frameworks
Themes Framework
In Module 2 we reviewed examples of cults and new religious movements. We used a conceptual framework to identify four major themes: a focus on theism; politics; metaphysics and nature; and psychotherapy and science. For example, the MRTCG would have a theistic focus.
Using a framework to analyze a cult or movement serves as a building block to understanding the broader phenomenon of cults in society.
Why are Conceptual Frameworks Important?
A conceptual framework is something that “explains, either graphically or in narrative form, the main things to be studied – the key factors, concepts, or variables – and the presumed relationships among them (Miles & Huberman, 1994, pg. 18).
Frameworks are important because they illustrate your ideas about a topic or phenomenon. Both visual and written frameworks can help you:
Think about and research a topic (what, specifically, about cults do I want to learn or discuss?)
Form conclusions about a topic (what trends and relationships did I find reading about cults/ in my research?)
Communicate ideas to others (what can I show other people about cults?)
Types of Conceptual Frameworks
A variety of conceptual frameworks have been developed. Some of the most common frameworks reflect:
Processes, cycles, or scales related to the topic
Content, focuses, or themes related to the topic
We will review these types of frameworks in more detail, and then look at some specific examples of existing conceptual frameworks used to analyze cult and new religious movement activity.
Process Frameworks
Process frameworks outline the way in which actions occur.
Examples
The following are basic examples of visual process frameworks.
Content Frameworks
Content frameworks outline the items or themes you are learning about or describing. The conceptual framework we used in Module 2 was a content framework.
These frameworks can also describe the relationship between different components identified.
Examples
The following are basic examples of visual content frameworks.
ISIS and Apocalyptic Cults
Fitting the Criteria
You have likely heard about the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham, better known as ISIS, ISIL, or IS. Normally, ISIS is called an Islamic terrorist group by the media. However, in the Journal of Terrorism, Barron and Maye concluded that ISIS fits the criteria of an apocalyptic cult.
ISIS is similar to our earlier example of the Movement for the Restoration of the Ten Commandments of God in that it is focused on the end of the world. However, MRTCG members were preparing for an apocalypse that would be caused by God. ISIS is “committed to returning to a 17th century puritanical Islamic society whose ultimate goal is bringing about the apocalypse” (Barron et. al, 2017, pg. 27). In other words, they are not waiting for the apocalypse, but are trying to cause the end of the world as we know it.
ISIS’ structure, behaviour, and goals reflect standard components of cult activity. This includes devotion to a charismatic leader, ritual indoctrination, and a unique belief system. In fact, while this group does base some of their ideology on Islamic teachings, they utilize their own, unique interpretation of the Quran to recruit members and justify their extreme actions.
Cult Components: ISIS
In this example we see the following components:
Your preview ends here
Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version
- Access to all documents
- Unlimited textbook solutions
- 24/7 expert homework help
A unique system of beliefs (or ideology)
Charismatic leaders (leaders that can inspire devotion of others)
A sense of community, sometimes including initiations, memberships, and/or communal living
Rituals or ceremonies that are controversial, unconventional, or still evolving
Cult Framework: Baron and Maye
Framework Example: Islamic-based Typological Continuum
Barron and Maye proposed a conceptual framework to illustrate that ISIS fits the criteria of an apocalyptic cult. Within their work, Barron and Maye describe their conceptual framework through both written description and visual diagrams. It is important to note the frameworks they have proposed reflect their scholarly viewpoints and are not intended to imply any conclusions about Islam, other than illustrating that ISIS is not representative of typical Muslim institutions or movements.
Their most useful visuals include:
1.
Tables which compare ISIS to other Islamic sects, movements, and religions
2.
Interconnected rings, as shown in Figures 13 and 14, to describe a continuum of Islamic groups, and where ISIS ranks on the continuum
Comparison
This framework is very similar to the social continuum we’ve used in this class, with mainstream religion appearing on one side, and extremist groups on the other. Barron and Maye’s framework more clearly differentiates between various types of social movements, however it does not identify extremists as its own type of movement.
Cult Framework: Stark and Bainbridge
Framework Example: Reward System
Stark and Bainbridge published theories on cult activity in the 1970’s. In Module 1 we discussed the differences between religions, sects, and cults as proposed by these authors. But, Stark and Bainbridge also proposed a framework focused on cults. They argued that cults use the concept of a reward system (or “compensators”) to provide value for followers. They said cults could be categorized into:
Audience cults
Client cults
Cult movements
This was a written framework, meaning it used narrative descriptions to help readers understand. No visual representations were included.
Audience Cults
An audience cult is the least organized type of cult. They are composed of individuals who consume the cult doctrines and messages through lectures, magazines, books, radio, television, or the internet. There is a charismatic leader and messages promising limited, individually focused ‘truth’ or enlightenment, but there is no formal membership, and followers choose when and how they will devote themselves to the ideas.
Client Cults
A client cult is more organized than an audience cult. They offer direct services and interaction, and often build relationships with followers that are much like a therapist and patient, or consultant and client. Stark and Bainbridge suggest that the organization itself will be very organized and demanding of participants, however the participants themselves are not organized together into a strong social movement.
Cult Movements
Cult movements are the most organized of the three. They offer the closest experience to a religion in that their ideologies provide followers with ultimate meaning. They require significant commitment from their members and a loyal devotion to the ideology or leader. They offer more intangible things like faith healing or levitation. Highly publicized and controversial cults like the MRTCG, the Peoples Temple, or Heaven’s Gate (discussed in Module 2) would be considered cult movements.
Re-Imagining a Conceptual Framework
Your Own Framework
Learning and understanding existing conceptual frameworks about cults helps us to understand the research that has been done around the phenomenon. Most of these frameworks are written by academics and scientists and can be complex. It often helps to create your own conceptual framework to clarify your understanding.
When you are starting to create a framework for your first assignment, there are 4 questions that will help you:
1.
What key words do we know about the topic?
2.
What specific concepts, ideas, or elements about the topic do we wish to explore?
3.
What relationships exist between those key words and concepts?
4.
What conclusions were we able to draw? What framework will best illustrate these relationships and conclusions?
Working from an Example
Let’s use our knowledge of Stark and Bainbridge’s ideas to answer these questions and create a visual framework. Stark and Bainbridge outlined some clear definitions and concepts for us to use.
Step 1: Key Words
There are three types of cults central to the article:
1.
Audience Cult
2.
Client Cult
3.
Cult Movement
Step 2: Central Concepts
Major differences between these cults include:
1.
The level of organization
2.
The quality of compensators provided to followers
3.
The level of mysticism within the cult
4.
The degree of tension with mainstream society
5.
The demands of membership
Step 3: Relationships
To review all the relationships of the three key words (types of cults) and the central concepts outlined by the authors, a draft content framework in the form of a table would be helpful.
Table 1 outlines the differences in organization level, compensator quality, mysticism level, tension with society, and membership expectation between an audience cult, client cult, and cult movement. It provides a quick, high-
level glance of the descriptions provided over 3 pages of Stark and Bainbridge’s writing. A table is just one way you could use to summarize the relationships between concepts. You can use any tactic that helps you consider what you’ve read.
Table 1. Relationships between Key Words and Central Concepts Identified in Stark and Bainbridge
Drawing Conclusions and Choosing a Framework
Representing Your Ideas
A conceptual framework is a representation of your own ideas or ways of looking at things. It will reflect your focus and understanding of a topic. It will incorporate descriptions and ideas that you have learned, but it will allow you to connect these ideas and explain them in your own way.
Your preview ends here
Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version
- Access to all documents
- Unlimited textbook solutions
- 24/7 expert homework help
To draw conclusions and choose the right framework to communicate your conclusions to others, you will need to:
focus on a question you would like to answer, or to narrow down a selection of items you would like to study;
show trends or facts that you have identified; and
clearly explain your conclusions about the topic.
A Visual Framework for Social Impact of Different Cults
Let’s say we want to focus specifically on the social impact of Stark and Bainbridge’s cult types. To achieve this we would do the following.