NEW
Font size
WorksheetsWhat is a Cult?
Total questions: 15
Worksheet time: 8mins
According to our notes, which of the following is the BEST definition of a cult?
Groups of people who wear robes and chant about stuff
Groups of people who meet around a specific misinterpretation of a known religion's core beliefs
Mormons and Scientologists
Groups of people whose mission is to do harm to others
Why is the term "cult" confusing?
It's ambigious
It's often misunderstood
People have different ideas of what a cult is
All of these are true
What is a theological cult?
A religious group that develops its own theology not based on an already established religion or doctrinal system
A religious group that acts illegally
A religious group that identifies itself as part of an established religion while changing that religion's central doctrines
None of these options
What is a sociological cult?
A group that acts in ways that are illegal or otherwise unacceptable in a civilized society.
A group that sabotages long-held traditions of social norms by standing too close to strangers in elevators
A group that models itself after a mainstream religion
A group that seeks to improve society by helping those in need according to a unique set of central doctrines
Which of the following is an example of a theological cult?
The Manson Family
The Indianapolis Cults
Hinduism
Christian Science
Which of the following is an example of a sociological cult?
The Branch Davidians
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
The Unification Church
Wicca
When many people hear "cult," they think of a destructive cult; why is this?
People are violent and so this is the first thing to come to their minds
People are generally more aware of destructive cults because non-destructive cults rarely make the news
All cults are destructive, so people are assuming correctly
Destructive cults are more likely to advertise themselves online and by handing out pamphlets
According to Robert Jay Lifton, destructive cults can be identified by all of the following characteristics EXCEPT:
Economic Exploitation
Thought Reform
Distributing literature
Charismatic leadership
Judging whether or not a cult is destructive is best done by:
Examining how it affects a person’s health
Examining how it affects a person’s personal relationships
Joining the cult for a few days to judge for yourself
Answers A&B are correct
Which is the best definition of a sect?
A group of Monks who study just the New Testament
A group whose beliefs do not line up with traditional and historical beliefs
A specific type of cult in which people wear white robes and worship trees
An offshoot of Mormonism
In the U.S. most cults can be sorted into ten categories. Which of the following is NOT one of those categories?
Business groups
Flying saucer and other outer-space phenomena
Neo-Christian religious
Psychology or psychotherapeutic
“A cult of Christianity is a group of people, which claiming to be Christian, embraces a particular __________ system taught by an individual leader, group of leaders, or organization"
Worship
Caste
Doctrine
Prayer
What are essential doctrines?
Practices used by cults to lure people into joining
The ideas that give religions their basic essence
Negative connotations of cults and sects
Chants or prayers said before every cult meeting
Mormonism is seen as:
Theologically non-cult by Christians but Sociologically a cult by sociologists
Theologically a cult by Christians but Sociologically non-cult by sociologists
Theologically a cult by Christians and Sociologically a cult by sociologists
None of the above
Why must we be cautious when defining the term “cult”?
The term is used in a variety of ways and is ambiguous
Shhh... Christians shouldn’t talk about cults
There is no direct translation from the original Latin word colere
If we miss-define the term the cult people will come after us
