...Religion can be defined as “a system of beliefs, traditions, and practices around sacred things, a set of shared ‘stories’ that guide belief and action” (Conley, 2011). Whereas a cult is a “religious movement that makes some new claim about the supernatural and therefore does not as easily fit within the sect-church cycle. All religions begin as movements like cults, cults however have a higher tension and antagonize the social world. The differences between the two include a cult is more persuasive by a leader claiming that they are the word of God while religion is a family affair where many young people grow into. Cults can be considered illegitimate and secretive on the other hand religion is legitimate and non-secretive. A religion can...
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...difference between a sect and a cult?" Answer: The word sect comes from the Latin word secta, which means “school of thought.” It is a subjective term that may apply to a religious faith or denomination, or it may refer to a heretical splinter group. Sometimes, the connotation is one of disapproval, similar to the “destructive heresies” spoken of in 2 Peter 2:1, though there are no consistent or accepted exemplars to use to identify a sect. Sects are found in all religions. Islam has Sunnis and Shias, Judaism has Orthodox and Karaites, Hinduism has Shiyaism and Shaktism, and Christianity has Baptists and Lutherans. These are all examples of religious sects, and they can be thought of as “branches” of different religions. There are also non-religious sects, such as capitalists and socialists among economists, or Freudians and Jungians among psychiatrists. In contradistinction, the word cult always carries a negative connotation. There are specific criteria used to identify a cult. In Combatting Cult Mind Control, deprogrammer Steven Hassan singles out what he refers to as “destructive cults,” which he defines as “a pyramid-shaped authoritarian regime with a person or group of people that have dictatorial control. It uses deception in recruiting new members (e.g. people are NOT told up front what the group is, what the group actually believes and what will be expected of them if they become members).” Hassan also correctly points out that cults are not only religious; they...
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...Opposite Ends of the Belief Bench One subject darkly clouded with confusion is religion, and the idea that they are all the same. Mahatma Gandhi, an important Hindu teacher states, “The soul of religion is one, but it is encased in a multitude of forms.” Two of the most popular religions in the United States, Christianity and Islam, are facing this problem. I grew up Christian so the subject of religion is very important to me. After 9/11 the American public was on high alert for terrorists, and they still are today. Just recently a US Ambassador to Libya was killed along with two Navy Seals by an Islamic terrorist group. Some people may ask why do they attack, what motivates them it is what they believe. When your Sacred text, the Koran in this case, has verses that say, “And slay them wherever ye find them, and drive them out of the places whence they drove you out, for persecution [of Muslims] is worse than slaughter [of non-believers]”, it is seen clearly why there are terrorist attacks ( Koran 2:191-193). Americans live in a culture where acceptance is the goal. Everything is acceptable because everyone has their own opinion. No one can refute that opinion because the refusal itself could be seen as offensive and the offender will likely get sued. As a result, most people keep their thoughts to themselves, creating the opposite of the desired environment. Instead of freedom of speech we have freedom to speak as long as you do not mind being chewed up by the media...
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...Josef Stalin (USSR) | Mao Zedong (China) | | | Conditions that produced authoritarian and single-party states | * Contenders (Left to right): Trotsky, Zinoviev, Kamenev, Stalin, Rykov, Tomsky, Bukharin * Issues affecting power struggle: - Leadership (Collective vs Single) - NEP (End vs Continue) - Revolution (Permanent vs One Country) * Methods he used to come to power (pg103): Lenin’s early death; Lenin’s Secret Testament; Lenin Enrolment; Leninist Foundations; No Clear Successor; Stalin outwitted Trotsky; Changing Politburo members; War Scare; Scissors Crisis * Ban on factions in 1921 | * Mao & Enlai set up Jiangxi Soviet * GMD’s Northern Expedition (1926): Conquer warlords and CCP * CCP Opposition and Long March - Mao & Enlai set up Jiangxi Soviet - Jiang ignored Japanese, focus on CCP - Jiang destroyed Jiangxi Soviet - Long March: <20k survived out of 100k - Mao leads CCP * Jiang: Japanese “disease of the skin” while Communists were a “disease of the heart” * 2nd United Front: w/ CCP against Japanese * Post-War Mediation failed * Civil War (1946-9) | Emergence of leaders: aims, ideology, support | * Power Base: Party Secretary; Positions in Orgburo and Secretariat; Control of Party Organization and Membership * Power Struggle (Boxing Match Thingy): 1: Trotsky didn’t come to Lenin’s funeral, Stalin controlled the funeral 2: Krupskaya read Lenin’s Testament to Central Committee, Zinoviev/Kamenev stopped if...
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...argue that religion is a source of domination and oppression. However, unlike Marxism, they see religion as a product of patriarchy, rather than capitalism. They argue that religion is patriarchal in that women are exploited by men and seen as subordinate. Feminist sociologists are interested in how women have become subservient and how religion has promoted patriarchy. This view is not just shared by female and feminist sociologists. Anthony Giddens argues that; "The Christian religion is a resolutely male affair in its symbolism as well as its hierarchy. While Mary, the mother of Jesus may sometimes be treated as if she had divine qualities, God is the father, a male figure, and Jesus took the human shape of a man. Woman is portrayed Gender is a major part of religion, and it is believed that women are more religious than men. Religious participation is also a big part of religion along with religious organisations. A number of studies have proven different views on the relationship between gender, religious participation and religious organisations. There are a number of religious organisations including; churches, sects, denominations and cults. A number of studies have some that women are more religious then men. Whatever women's influence and status may have been in religious organizations, studies have consistently shown that women are more religious than men. Miller and Hoffmann (1995) report that women are more likely to express a greater interest in religion have a stronger...
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...TOPIC SUBJECT HEADINGS For use in Online Catalog (OPAC) SUBJECT HEADINGS For Sample Database Searches Abortion Abortion; Pro-Choice Movement; Pro-Life Movement Abortion Acid rain SEE ALSO Pollution Acid Rain Acid Rain Adoption (interracial, unmarried persons, gays) Adoption; Gay parents; Interracial adoption Adoption AIDS AIDS (Disease); AIDS (Disease) in children AIDS (Disease); Pediatric AIDS (Disease) Alzheimer's disease Alzheimer's disease Alzheimer's disease Animal rights Animal experimentation; Animal rights Animal experimentation; Animal rights Anorexia and Bulimia SEE Eating disorders Athletes and drugs Doping in Sports Drugs and Athletes Banking Bailout (2008) Bailout Battered women SEE ALSO Wife Abuse Abused women Conjugal abuse Birth control Birth control; Contraception Birth control; Contraception Black Reparations Movement Reparations; Slavery--Law and legislation Reparations Body language Body language; Gesture; Nonverbal communication Nonverbal communication Bullying Bullying Bullying; Cyberbullying Business ethics Business ethics; Corporations - Corrupt practices Business ethics; Business enterprises, Corrupt practices Capital punishment (Death Penalty) Capital punishment; Death row Capital punishment Cancer Cancer--Prevention SEE ALSO types of cancer, such asBreast--Cancer Neoplasms--Prevention and Control;Cancer Treatment Censorship SEE ALSO Freedom of the Press Censorship; Prohibited...
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...Some would say freemasonry is a religion, some would say it is a cult; other would say it is a secret society and it is they worship the devil. Strange isn’t it, I would say so that one organization would cause so much confusion and all the attention and especially with the church. The church is more of a religious thing, it is a place where you go to worship and give praise in what you believe your religion is a way of life and what you believe in and live by that belief by putting forth good actions or the deeds that you are required to do. For example in Christianity in order to be saved you first have to confess your sins, ask for forgiveness, and believe that Jesus died for your sins. Then you are saved so there is a criteria to become a Christian and get saved, so why is it when it is a criteria to become a freemason then all of a sudden the “church” has an issue; I think it is more of fear of the unknown and speculation. Hopefully this paper can give a little more understanding on what is going on between the church and freemasonry. I would also like for people to understand what freemasonry truly is. Freemasonry is not a cult of or a religion but a fraternal organization that requires you to believe in a higher being. So I will prove my point that freemasonry is not a religion, what is church main issue with freemasonry, and that freemasonry is just simply a fraternal organization. Freemasonry is a fraternal organization History of freemasonry The history of freemasonry...
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...within the time of the Cold War. By using the term "hsi-nao" the Chinese people and officials meant certain different techniques in dealing with adversaries, troops or platoons and the training of officials within the time of the Korean War. To the Western usage the term "brainwashing" spread in the 1950s through several publications depicting the treatment of American soldiers at Chinese prison camp during the Korean War 1950-1953. Mind control can also be described or defined as thought reform, thought control, or coercive persuasion. Mind Control can be defined also as a theoretical indoctrination process that results in a person’s inability to think on their own, and disrupt the beliefs and affiliations a person has with a certain religion or person. There are various different theories within the idea of brainwashing, but the main idea or reason behind the tactic of brainwashing is to be used within the field of battle. Mind control occurs when people ultimately have their minds controlled by a certain action wanted to take place or controlled by a certain group of people of higher being or higher stature whom are trying to conquer a certain object or rule a certain person. Mind control is a claim that has been tested and tested time and time again, which many people believe is true and affects the thought process and mental makeup of any human being if under the circumstances of being manipulated repeatedly. This claim is a mental state that will ultimately cause people...
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...Ten little known facts about the Amish Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_CeT32qxUK0 * Number 10. They have their own language. It's called Pennsylvania Dutch, and is called such due to the large number of Amish people living in the namesake state. The tongue is a combination of Dutch, English, and German. * Number 9. Riding in cars is fine. Owning, driving, or even having one within the confines of the community is what's forbidden. * Number 8. School attendance past the 8th grade is rare. Based on the 1972 Supreme Court ruling in Wisconsin vs. Yoder, the Amish are given an exception to regular US truancy laws on the basis of religious freedom. * Number 7. The Amish are not a cult. Their religion is of the Christian variety. One unique aspect is that they practice adult baptism. They also don't engage in evangelism. * Number 6. Beard growing doesn't start until after marriage. Marriage doesn't happen until the person's been baptized. * Number 5. The Amish don't go to church. Rather, they have community Sunday services in their own homes. On average, each family hosts once a year. Bigger communities get broken down into smaller, more manageable districts. * Number 4. Amish brides make their own dresses. That it be blue is required by some groups, but others leave the color option open. After the wedding day, the woman wears the dress for Sunday services and is eventually buried in it. * Number 3. Some technology gets the...
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...compel others groups to work for it superstructure HM all aspects of society not included in the base, religion, philosphy, politics, the fam, law, art CHANGE IN ECON BASE CHANGE IN SUPERSTRUCTURE Simple Societies Not dependent on any other society; little political organization, division by gender Compound Societies Greater division of labor, stratification, composite groups formed Doubly compound All doubly compound societies are settled, non-nomadic, political organization more elaborate, caste system, towns and roads Trebly compound societies Extensive territorial scope of society; Great civilizations, productive, distributive capcity, regular exchange with other societies Historical Materialsm was also a reaction to important contemporary societal and intellectual developments: Lenski: Technology used to adapt to environment; Outcomes: Surplus production, Population growth, Stratification, occupational specialization Harris: Cultural Materialsm (best for preindustrial) Theory Mechanism: Population growth & technological processing deplete the environment, cause decline in living standards, critique: focuses too much on dem., economy low on imp. Key CM Infrastructure: Technology, ecosystems, demographics Structure Political economy & domestic economy Superstructure Basic beliefs, values, norms, philosophy, religion, art, music, ritual Sanderson: Evolutionary Materialism Infrastructure: Technology, economy, ecology,...
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...Mackenzie Rice Corn REL 250 28 November 2011 Gnosticism and Marcionism vs. Christianity What and where is heaven and hell? Many Christians today can answer these questions based on the beliefs they’ve obtained through the church. Most Christians would answer that heaven is a place in the sky where an obedient person’s soul goes after they die, and hell is a place in the ground where a misbehaved soul goes. These beliefs of afterlife are often taught in Christian churches; however, these beliefs weren’t always this way. This change was important because it answered the critical question in Christianity about the Last Judgment Day. This change took place after the church had to create specific writings of the beliefs of the Christian religion to refute the popular beliefs of Gnosticism and Marcionism. The ideas about heaven and hell came out of neo-platonic philosophy, which played the major role of influence in the Christian religious cults Gnosticism and Marcionism, who then prevailed with the same ideas that were adopted by the Christian orthodox. Another importance of this change in the history of the church is that the Christian orthodox today still practices these neo-platonic ideas that were first present in the Gnosticism and Marcionism. The Christian orthodox beliefs about heaven and hell would not be the same without the Gnostic and Marcionic influences on the church. Neo-platonic philosophy about heaven and hell show up in the beliefs of Gnostics and Marcionites...
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...World Religions Report Jehovah’s Witnesses Stephen Devon Hill Jr. Axia College of the University of Phoenix January 10, 2009 In modern society there are numerous forms of Christianity. Many may be familiar with Catholics, Baptist, or Protestants. One form of Christianity that has created mixed views since its start is that of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Some thoughts that may come to mind when people think of Jehovah’s Witnesses are cult activity, unusual Christian practices, and domineering individuals. This paper will take a look at the life as a Jehovah’s Witness. The paper will cover some of the common practices and beliefs of Jehovah’s Witnesses. The paper will also try to clear up some of the misconceptions that others believe about Jehovah’s Witnesses. The author of this paper has taken the time to research the Jehovah Witness religion by visiting a local Kingdom Hall, conducting an in-person interview with an actual Jehovah Witness, and also conducting research on the internet, as well as the library. Background Information The religion of the Jehovah’s Witness began in at the end of the 19th century. The religion was started a small group of Bible students close to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In 1879 the students began publishing what is known as the Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. The group that was formerly known as International Bible Students became Jehovah’s Witnesses in 1931. Membership of religion is marked by baptism. According to the Jehovah’s...
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...Daniella Fajardo CULT 320 February 12, 2015 Reading Summary #1 The idea that some people are better than others is almost nature. What this means is that if a person sees herself as superior than another person, it does not mean that she is actually superior but that is how she defines herself, therefore defining the other person as inferior. This is not necessarily intentional but it does tend to happen to many people. However, this example of superiority is not limited to individuals but it also involves neighborhoods, communities, cities, states, countries, etc. This concept of us vs. them, the west being better than the east, the poor vs. rich, pretty vs. ugly, developed vs. under developed, better vs. worse, superior vs. inferior, and so on, has been taken in history and been analyzed in many different levels of population, but more specifically on an article written by Said. On it, he states that “Orientalism is never far from what Denys Hay has called the idea of Europe,' a collective notion identifying "us" Europeans as against all "those" non-Europeans, and indeed it can be argued that the major component in European culture is precisely what made that culture hegemonic both in and outside Europe: the idea of European identity as a superior one in comparison with all the non-European peoples and cultures (Said, pg 7).” Said argues some facts that tie in with the other readings. Those readings have aspects and concepts that can still apply to the way people view...
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...KNOWLEDGE IS POWER After some debating of evolution vs creationism, and after reading some of Jack Herer's book, it just hit me like a ton of bricks, and I thought I'd share this thought with all of you. Knowledge is Power. Yes, most of us have heard that a million times on School House Rock on Saturday mornings, but it means so much more than they could have ever imagined. Knowledge is the ultimate weapon and the ultimate defence. Since the dawn of civilization, the powerful have restricted the Knowledge available to us common folk, and that is precisely how they maintain their power. One of the best examples of this (and because it's currently very fashionable (and fun!) to bash them) is the Catholic Church. Make no mistake, I'm Italian and the Church has always been very important in my family. However, since the very beginning, that is since around 100 A.D., it has consistently withheld Knowledge from its followers. But HOW did it gain so many followers so quickly? By claiming a monopoly on Knowledge right from the outset, by being extremely exclusive, moreso than any other religious cult in recorded history. Think about it: during a time of great crisis (as the 3rd century certainly was for the Roman Empire), a time when barbarians are invading the empire from all angles, a time when the Roman elite seemed incapable of defending their own population, out comes this religion which claims that it and ONLY it has the ability to save people for eternity. It has the ultimate...
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...EGYPT * The Gift of Nile * Nile * world’s largest river; flows more than 4000 miles * Because the river flows from south to north, the Egyptians called the southern part of the country “Upper Egypt” and the northern part the “Lower Egypt” * Each year, the river will overflow, spreading water into the bordering basins and irrigation channels carried water farther out into the valley to increase the area suitable for planting – brought moisture to the dry land and left behind a layer of rich black soil that was excellent for crop. * Farmers planted their crops as soon as the floodwaters receded * 4000 B.C.E. * Egypt consisted of valley of farmers living along the Nile * 3300 B.C.E. * first walled towns were erected at Naqada and Hierakonpolis * 3100 B.C.E. * ruler of Upper Egypt unified the country * Menes, first ruler, conquered Lower Egypt and brought all of Egypt under his rule. He built the city of Memphis as his capital. * Kings of Egypt * “Ruler of the Two Lands” * wore two crowns – symbolizing the unification of the country * There were at least 30 dynasties in Egypt’s history * Scholars divided the early history of Egypt according to the three periods when strong dynasties united the country * Old Kingdom (2686 – 2150 B.C.E.) * Middle Kingdom (2040 – 1786 B.C.E.) * New Kingdom (1570 – 1090 B.C.E.) Old Kingdom * 2649 B.C.E. * Old...
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