Cults and New Religious Movements RELS 225 Cults and New Religious Movements

2010-09-09 Agenda Attendance Syllabus Reading assignment Moodle

Why study cults and NRMs?

Syllabus

Course Description From the Academic Calendar,: A study of cults in the context of 20th-century North American society, beginning with defining cults in relation to sects and churches. Topics include: neo-paganism; Hare Krishna; the theosophical tradition; the Unification Church; tragic endings to cults such as the Branch Davidians and Heaven’s Gate; why people join cults; and the religio-cultural significance of cults today. Prerequisite: RELS 100, 110, or 120. Three credits. The course examines alternative religious traditions primarily in the west, often referred to as “cults” and more recently, as “new religious movements.” Building on a historical look at alternative religions in the West that includes spiritualism, Theosophy, and the Free Masons, we will pay close attention to 20th century groups and movements like Scientology (a human potential movement group), Wicca (part of the neo-pagan revival), and the Aetherius Society (a UFO Group).

Questions addressed Drawing on recent research in the area of sociology of religion, the course will delve into the following questions: Why the fascination with alternative religiosity? What does this fascination tell us about established religion? What does this fascination indicate concerning the age of science and technology that defines much of early 21st century life? How do new religious movements begin? What factors contribute to the growth and success of a new religious group? Why do some new religious groups end with tragedy as in the cases of Jonestown, the Branch Davidians of Waco, Texas, and the Solar Temple cult? Do members choose freely to join new religious groups? Are they brainwashed, as anti- cult groups charge? Are there specific factors that predispose someone to consider the world of alternative religion as a place in which to develop his or her religious identity?

Objectives To become familiar with the beliefs, practices, histories and traditions of the main cults and new religious movements in the West. To become conscious of the role that the media plays in shaping and/or distorting our image of cults and NRMs. To reflect on what the presence of cults and NRMs in our society signifies with reference to mainstream religion as well as secular culture. To become conversant with the leading theories concerning why cults and NRMs begin and why people join them. To become sensitive to groups and individuals espousing beliefs and practices with which we are unfamiliar and at the same time, to be able to pick out those religious and social factors that are dangerous to the well-being of persons and groups.

Requirements The requirements for each term of this course include: attendance, readings and online quizzes, a research essay, a midterm test, and a final exam.

Time Investment and Evaluation The student should expect to spend nine hours per week on this course Class participation: 10% Weekly readings and Online quizzes: 15% Midterm test: 20% Essay: 15% Term Exam:40%

Getting to know you Name Year Major or academic interests Why you chose this course What you hope to learn

Getting to know me Name: Ken Penner Year: Third year at StFX Major: Early Judaism; Minor: Early Christianity Why chose this course: Evokes powerful responses Little-understood topic Many “new religious movements” in first century Judea: Pharisees, Sadducees, Essenes, Zealots, Christians, Sicarii, Manicheans

How this course will work: One session per week on a topic. E.g., What is a cult or NRM?; Who joins cults and why? Is brainwashing used? Cults and violence, etc. One session per week on a specific NRM. E.g., Unification church, Wicca, Shambala, ISKCON, Peoples Temple, Branch Davidians, etc.

For Next Class (Monday) Read Comprehending Cults chapter 1