What is a cult?

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The term Sect comes from the Latin sectawhich means doctrine, party. The term as such is neutral, with neither negative nor positive connotations, but today it is predominantly understood in a negative sense.

A sect is a small minority of members who have split off from a large religious community because they clearly distance themselves from doctrinal content and are no longer prepared to accept it.

We are founding a sect ...

So everyone can develop their own ideas and beliefs based on their own convictions.

He can then seek out and unite people who share his own view of the "right" principles of faith.
If he provides his own view of things with a set of rules, generalizes it as a dogma for his newly acquired beliefs and unites his followers under it, he has founded a sect by way of example.

As the number of members increases, the "small" sect may grow into a full-blown congregation and later even form a recognized new denomination if its principles of faith are recognized and upheld by a significant number of members.

A sect is therefore initially a neutral group of people who think differently.

Religious sects

Sects exist worldwide and in all religions equally. Many of today's recognized faiths originated in the manner outlined above, such as the Jehovah's Witnesses and the Mormons. The Amishwhich Christadelphianwhich, similar to the Jehovah's WitnessesThe Evangelical movement, which believes that only its members will receive resurrection and eternal life, and other Evangelical movements are classified as sectarian.

There are also sects in the world religions, for example:

Islam

Ahmadiyya

• Origin: Founded at the end of the 19th century in India by Mirza Ghulam Ahmad.
• Characteristics of faith:
  • Belief that Mirza Ghulam Ahmad is the promised Messiah and Mahdi.
  • Emphasis on peace and tolerance.
• Practices: Worldwide missionary activity, rejection of violence.

Alevis

• Origin: Deviation from Shiite Islam, particularly widespread in Turkey.
• Characteristics of faith:
  • Emphasis on spiritual interpretation of Islam.
  • Rejection of Sharia law and strict rituals.
  • Worship of Ali, the son-in-law of Mohammed.
• Practices: Gatherings in community centers (Cemevi), music and dance (Semah).

Druze

• Origin: Originated in the Middle East in the 11th century.
• Characteristics of faith:
  • Combination of Islamic, Christian, Jewish and Gnostic elements.
  • Belief in reincarnation.
  • Strict exclusion of outsiders from their community.
• Practices: Secrecy of religious rituals.

Hinduism

Hare Krishna Movement (ISKCON)

• Origin: Founded in 1966 in the USA by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.
• Characteristics of faith:
  • Worship of Krishna as the supreme god.
  • Strict vegetarian diet.
  • Repetition of the "Hare Krishna mantras„.
• Practices: Street mission, dance and song.

Radha Soami

• Origin: Founded in India in the 19th century.
• Characteristics of faith:
  • Belief in a living spiritual master.
  • Meditation on the inner light and the inner sound.
• Practices: Strict discipline, meditation, rejection of alcohol and meat.

Buddhism

Nichiren Shoshu (Soka Gakkai)

• Origin: Originated in Japan, based on the teachings of Nichiren (13th century).
• Characteristics of faith:
  • Recitation of the mantra "Nam-myoho-renge-kyo„.
  • Believe that all problems are solved through the study and practice of Lotus Sutra Teachings can be solved.
• Practices: Worldwide missionary activity, emphasis on social commitment.

Aum Shinrikyo

• Origin: Founded in Japan in 1984 by Shoko Asahara.
• Characteristics of faith:
  • Mixture of Buddhist, Hindu and apocalyptic elements.
  • Expectation of an imminent end of the world.
• Practices: Meditation, but also (in the past) criminal activities such as the sarin gas attack in Tokyo in 1995.

Other

Scientology

Scientology is a controversial religious movement that was founded in the 1950s by the US-American writer L. Ron Hubbard promises spiritual enlightenment and personal growth.

However, their organization and practices, including auditing and the secrecy of higher teachings, are under constant criticism.

While Scientology is praised by its followers as a path to freedom, critics often see it as a manipulative sect with economic interests.

Origin and history

• Foundation: Scientology was founded in the USA in 1954, based on Hubbard's book Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health (1950), which presented a self-help method for solving emotional and psychological problems.
• Transition to religion: After criticism of Dianetics as pseudoscientific, Hubbard transformed his movement into a religious organization in order to obtain tax benefits and introduce spiritual dimensions.
• Growth: The movement spread internationally and became a tightly organized and influential community.

Fundamental doctrines

Scientology is based on the assumption that humans are spiritual beings, called Thetanwhich exists independently of body and mind. The main teachings include:

The thetan

• The thetan is immortal and goes through countless rebirths.
• Human beings have the potential for unlimited abilities that can be unlocked through spiritual training.

The reactive and analytical mind

• The mind is divided into two parts:
  1. Reactive spirit: Stores traumatic experiences (engrams) that unconsciously influence behavior.
  2. Analytical mind: The conscious, rational part of thinking.
• The aim is to "clear" the reactive mind in order to achieve a higher level of consciousness.

The state of Clear

• The condition Clear is the main goal: a complete liberation from the negative influences of the reactive mind.
• Becoming Clear enables the thetan to develop his full potential.

The bridge to complete freedom

• Scientology offers a "bridge to total freedom" that includes a series of spiritual training and counseling levels.
• The higher levels, known as Operating Thetan (OT)-levels, contain secret teachings about the universe and the true nature of the thetan.

Practices and rituals

Auditing

• Auditing is a core practice in which a member works with an auditor (a type of spiritual counselor) to uncover and resolve engrams.
• A device called E-Meter is used to measure electrical changes in the skin that supposedly indicate emotional reactions.
• The aim of auditing is to achieve spiritual clarity.

Courses and training

• Members undergo numerous fee-based courses and programs designed to promote spiritual growth and personal development.
• These courses are often expensive and represent a significant source of income for the organization.

Missionary work

• Scientology conducts active missionary work and recruits members through seminars, free personality tests and social programs.

Organizational structurer

Hierarchy

• Scientology is tightly organized and centralized. The top leadership lies with the Church of Scientology International.
• The current guide is David Miscavigewho took over the management after Hubbard's death in 1986.

Sea Organization (Sea Org)

• The Sea Org is an elite religious order within Scientology, whose members commit themselves to a "billion-year contract".
• Members live in harsh conditions and often work long hours for little or no pay.

Financial structure

• Scientology is financed by high fees for courses, auditing sessions and donations.
• Critics accuse the organization of exerting financial pressure on members.

Controversies

Scientology is controversial worldwide and is often criticized for its practices and treatment of members. Here are some key points:

Manipulation and control

• Critics claim that Scientology manipulates members through psychological pressure and emotional dependency.
• Dropouts often report surveillance and intimidation.

Dealing with critics

• Scientology is known for aggressively combating critics. This is done through the program Fair Gamein which critics are attacked legally, financially or personally.

Family destruction

• Scientology is accused of separating families if a member leaves or criticizes the organization.

Tax exemption

• In some countries, such as the USA, Scientology enjoys the status of a tax-exempt religious community. Other countries, such as Germany, regard Scientology as an economic group or cult.

Secrecy

• The higher OT teachings, which members only reach after years and high costs, are secret. Dropouts report that these teachings are often perceived as bizarre, as the story of Xenua galactic dictator who is said to have brought the souls of aliens to Earth.

Distribution and influence

• Scientology is active worldwide, with large centers in the USA (e.g. Los Angeles and Clearwater, Florida), Europe and Australia.
• Prominent members such as Tom Cruise and John Travolta contribute to awareness.
• Despite declining membership in some countries, Scientology remains an influential organization due to its influence and wealth.

Scientology and the legal status

• USA: Recognized as a religion and tax-exempt.
• Germany: Monitored by the Office for the Protection of the Constitution and classified as potentially anti-constitutional.
• France: Scientology has been condemned several times as a criminal organization.