Modern Cults

“Cult” is a title given to small groups that combine individualism and esoteric ideals and that share a religious identity. The greatest spreading of cults occurred after World War II.

Cults can be classified as either metaphysical or parapsychological. The Church of Scientology is an example of a metaphysical cult that tries to combine the concepts of ancient religions with recent scientific developments and thus explain metaphysical truths and experiences with science. Parapsychological groups that try to explain and prove their beliefs through parapsychology are interested, for the most part, in telepathy and mind control.

Among the most important cults in the USA are the Moon movement, established by a Korean monk; the Hare Khrishnas, whose holy book is the Bagavitas Gita and which was established by Prabhupada, a Hindu who was believed to have been seized by Vishnu, one of the Hindu gods; the Church of Scientology, which appears to be a combination of Christianity and Buddhism, while using science as frame of reference, and placing a great emphasis on education; and the New Age Movement which shelters conflicting beliefs. The New Age Movement is Far Eastern oriented and places special emphasis on several applications aimed at building a coordination of the body and mind, as well as emphasizing mystical thoughts, sorcery, alternative medicine and dieting methods, the fusion of parapsychology and science, and ecology consciousness.

Some principles in modern cults, especially in the New Age Movement, are monism, pantheism, panentheism (the teaching that God is composed of the whole universe), reincarnation, karma (the belief that good and bad actions shape our destiny), aura (the field of energy that emanates from the body), transformation (activation of the “divine” power in human beings through an internal transformation brought about by hypnosis, meditation, dreams and some types of medicine), ecology consciousness and universal religion.

The modern cults of the New Age Movement adopt a holistic approach to health, which aims at maintaining a coordination between mind-soul-body through different methods, such as getting in touch with the single soul (of the world), using crystals in treatment, melodic music for meditation, relaxation techniques, astrology, acupuncture, crystal treatment techniques, massage, meditation, yoga, medium treatment, and color and music therapy, where mental and emotional improvement exercises aimed at boosting individual success comprise the basic practices or rituals.