Cult and Religious Movements Discussion - Discuss the meaning

San Diego State UniversityCult and Religious Movements Discussion

Option A: Discuss the meaning of the terms "cult" and new religious movements. Why is the term 'cult" difficult to define and problematic? What do you think attracts people tot these movements?

Option B: Discuss Jonestown and how it progressed from a movement invested in racial justice and inclusion to what most people think of when they use the negative common understanding of the term "Cult."

Option C: Pick a movement normally associated with the term "cult" and discuss how it does and does not fit that use of the term. Pick from these: Scientology. These articles on the IRS and Scientology 

Download IRS and Scientologyand its founder L Ron Hubbard Download  L Ron Hubbardwill help; or Heavens Gate. The Nova religio article on Heaven's Gate included hereDownload Heaven's Gate included here will help; or the Unification Church. The Novo Religio article embedded here

Download embedded here will help. You may use other sources but no wikipedia or online encyclopedias. Use legitimate sources. The library is a great place to look. Other online sources that might be good would end with .edu.