Religion and Social Control

Question 1

Why is the term cult controversial?

Answer 1

It is an overused term. nowadays used to describe a group that people don’t know a lot about, and have a lifestyle they disagree with.

Question 2

Who was Charles Manson?

Answer 2

He was a cult leader who instructed his followers in the way of murder. They also said he was the “second coming of Jesus”

Question 3

What was the Manson family?

Answer 3

it was a cult that would go on killing sprees based in California

Question 4

What was the Peoples Temple and Joe Jonas?

Answer 4

Joe Jonas took was the leader of the Peoples Temple. he took his followers to Gyuanna to a place called Jonestown, where he tortured and eventually killed them.

Question 5

What is a doomsday cult?

Answer 5

They believe the end of the world is coming and they need to cause it now. They believe that creatures of outer space are coming to rescue us

Question 6

What is a political cult?

Answer 6

They may emphasize far left or far right agenda

Question 7

What is a destructive cult?

Answer 7

They aim at destroying buildings or social groups. They are a highly manipulative group that damage the people of the group.Wha

Question 8

What is a Racist cult?

Answer 8

They hold racism at their center.
They openly oppose immigration

Question 9

What is a terrorist cult?

Answer 9

The followers believe they will go to heaven if they commit a terrorist cult

Question 10

What is a church?

Answer 10

A type of religious organization well integrated into larger society

Question 11

What is a sect?

Answer 11

Stands apart from larger society: less formal, more emotional, charismatic leader

Question 12

what is a cult?

Answer 12

Religious organization that is substantially outside the cultural traditions of a society

Question 13

what does sociology look in religion?

Answer 13

Sociology cant evaluate the validity of any religious doctrine
it looks at religious behaviour

Question 14

What is religiosity?

Answer 14

The importance of religion in a persons life

Question 15

What did Hirschu and Stark (1969) say about church attendance?

Answer 15

They found very little relation between church attendance and criminality. However, they argued religious activity is a safeguard against crime

Question 16

what does Marx say about religion?

Answer 16

religion is an ideology to support the status quo, crime is a response of those oppressed (defined as crime by those in power)

Question 17

What does family have to do with religion?

Answer 17

Socialization- They do practices that reinforce faith. Like praying before eating
Parents faith influence childrens faith
connects people together
makes people more involved

Question 18

What does Stark (1996) say about moral communities?

Answer 18

Youth are less likely to commit acts of deviance when they are integrated into a moral community and they share the beliefs of that community

Question 19

how does religion affect mental health?

Answer 19

According to Mccloughn and Smith (2009), religion creates less worry, improves well being and life satisfaction, improved family cohesion and helps with coping

Question 20

What rewards does religion hold?

Answer 20

It provides access to social networks
It also unites people in ritual behaviour
offers meaning and purpose

Question 21

When does religion become deviant?

Answer 21

When they become cults

Question 22

What does Max Weber say a cult is

Answer 22

a routinization of charisma

Question 23

What is an objectivist approach to cults?

Answer 23

They are inherently negative and harmful entities. The followers are brainwashed. They think the people in the cults are coerced in some way

Question 24

What is a normative perspective on cults?

Answer 24

They are inevitable and part of society. people that join cults are rational people looking for a solution and meaning in their life

Question 25

What are some potential drawbacks to religion?

Answer 25

It may include exclusion or punishment for those who deviate from social norms. It can create tension when there are different levels of religiosity

Question 26

What are some of the characteristics of cults

Answer 26

Apocalyptic beliefs, charismatic leadership, manipulative mind control techniques, authoritarian structures, demnads for intense commitment, and a preoccupation with growth and money

Question 27

What is the subjectivist view of cult?

Answer 27

Labelling groups as cults can be a powerful form of social control used by various groups.
The prefer to use the term “New Religious Movements” to avoid negative connotations\
People join cults due to their own free will
socialization as a way of shaping peoples free will