OUTCAST
Posted on Tuesday, August 14, 2012
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3 Comments
SUMMARY
New
religious movements popularly known as cults are often rejected by society and
mainstream religion. These movements have different beliefs and practices that
are opposed to the mainstream practices of religion. Nevertheless, many people
are attracted to join such groups. These groups are exploiting social influence
tactics in recruiting people to join them.
The main
goal of this study was to investigate and to discover the recruitment tactics
used by cults that made them appealing to a number of residents in the
different areas of the city with an end view of proposing a model that will
present the factors that influence people to such religious movements.
To pursue
this goal, the researchers utilized the participant observation technique which
was reinforced by self-made questionnaires, structured tests, and interview
guides. The gathered data were coded, presented, analyzed, and interpreted.
This became the basis in formulating a proposed model on cult recruitment.
FINDINGS
PROPOSED MODEL ON CULT RECRUITMENT
- The characteristics of people who most likely fell for the appeal of cults were diverse. They belonged to different age groups. They had different personalities, cognitions, educational backgrounds, and religions.
- Cults were not religions but merely religious groups. Moreover, the groups had beliefs and practices that were contrary to mainstream religion.
- Cults exploited social influences tactics such as persuasion and foot-in-the-door technique in attracting people to join them.
- Members were recruited by someone whom they knew such as family members and teachers.
- Members joined because they had needs that had been provided for by the group. Some of the needs were protection, salvation, and belongingness.
PROPOSED MODEL ON CULT RECRUITMENT
The proposed
model on cult recruitment shows some of the factors that explain why some
people join cults. This model consisted of four variables: source, message,
channel and audience, together with their respective characteristics that
reveal why some people become vulnerable to cult recruitment.
Cult Recruitment
Model
CONCLUSIONS
After
thorough investigation and assessment of the data in this study, the
researchers concluded that many are attracted to join cults since the groups
employ social influence tactics like persuasion, compliance, reciprocity, among
others. Moreover, the appeal is very great when the groups provide for the
needs of the targets. Members found acceptance, love, belongingness, identity,
protection, salvation and hope. Hence, they found their home.
RECOMMENDATIONS
- That the public will be educated on the emergence of new religious movements, taking into account the respective backgrounds, leaders, practices, and beliefs of new religious movements and the possible disadvantages if people join such groups.
- That the society must not treat cult members as outcasts since these people are human beings with dignity and freedom.
- That the family members should provide an atmosphere of love and belongingness so that members will not seek an alternative home.
- That future researchers try a more intense study and go deeper in finding more relevant information about the founders of different religious movements in terms of childhood experiences, family background, education, personality, needs, and crises.
- That future researchers have a comparative study on member’s and non-member’s perceptions on cults.
Posts
Interesting research... a lot more can be done to study these well organized groups.
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