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Cults, cults, cults!!! There are so many of them these days. What is
going on in our country (and indeed the world) that gives these cults such appeal?
The first thing we must ask ourselves is just what is a cult,
anyway? That word means many things to many people. As can be seen from the definition of cult in the dictionary,
cult can be applied to a wide range of religious groups, including the major established religions. |
But for the purposes of our discussion, we will take the definition of
cult to mean any isolated group of people holding in common a belief system that is not necessarily
congruent with those of the society at large. This is a very ticklish definition because it seems to suggest
that society at large serves as a good "meter stick" to measure one's character against, which
is obviously not the case. But I think that the definition works if not pushed too far.
The most recent tragedy, that of Higher Source, or better known as Heaven's Gate,
is what my discussion will center on here. I have also mirrored their web site to allow all to get a first-hand
look at the inner-workings of the cult mind.
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cult
Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary - 10th Edition
cult n, often attrib [F & L; F cult, fr. L cultus
care, adoration, fr. colere to cultivate--more at wheel] (1617)
- formal religious veneration: worship
- a system of religious beliefs and ritual; also: its body of adherents
- a religion regarded as unorthodox or spurious; also: its body
of adherents
- a system for the cure of disease based on dogma set forth by its
promulgator <health ~s>
- a: great devotion to a person, idea, object, movement, or work
(as a film or book); esp: such devotion regarded as a literary or intellectual fad b: a usu. small group of people
characterized by such devotion
-- cul.tic adj -- cult.ish adj -- cult.ish.ly adv -- cult.ish.ness
n -- cult.ism n -- cult.ist n -- cult.like adj
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So, comma, what caused the Gaters to commit suicide? It is simply
this: they were so caught up in this idea of a 'better place' that they would stop at nothing to get there.
Well, that's my 'surface analysis'. But there's more to it than that, as you will see.
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Why did they?
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Their cry for help
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Own experiences
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Conclusions
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Heaven's
Gate