Cultic Studies Review, Vol. 5, No. 2, 2006, Page 77
The historical context (i.e., whether cult-related tragedies have occurred in the
country)
The relationship between state and religion
The privileges (if applicable) given to certain religious groups
The presence or not of a state religion
The state financing of certain religions
The government‘s position regarding the cult phenomenon
The impact of public and/or political pressure.
Cultural differences will influence governmental actions or inaction regarding the control or
suppression of cultic groups, the illegality of certain actions, the penalties for violations, and
the vigor with which a government may address the issue.
There are, however, certain areas in which cultural differences will play less of a role, given
that the society in question respects the basic human rights that are taken for granted in
most democracies. The primary area of such action is the education—inoculation, if you
will—of young people so as to make them less likely to be interested in, need, examine,
convert to, commit to, or become subservient to a cultic or extremist group.
There are several areas along the pathway to violence where the vulnerability of young
people to cultic or extremist groups could be decreased through preventive action.
Recommendation 5
Counseling and educational services designed to help young people develop more
effective coping skills to manage life challenges should receive greater attention and
support from governments and private foundations.
Comment: At 16 years old, a person is still considered a minor, a child, whose life is
regimented and directed by parents and other authorities. Only six years later (fewer
if the person does not attend college), that person will have graduated college and
may be expected to participate as an equal in the adult world of work, find a mate
and get married, and begin raising a family. That so many young people suffer from
feelings of inadequacy and depression is not surprising, given the stress they
experience moving so quickly from childhood to adulthood. During no time in life do
human beings assume so much increase in responsibility in so short a time span.
And yet, society pays relatively scant attention to the psychological needs of its
youth. An offering of more guidance and assistance to youth would not only reduce
their vulnerability to cultic and extremist groups, but would contribute to the
amelioration of many other social problems, as well.
Recommendation 6
Schools, religious institutions, and community organizations should support cultic
studies experts in the development of educational programs that make young people
in high school and college aware of the different types of cultic and extremist groups
they will encounter in the ideological marketplace.
Comment: So many groups present themselves as the ―only‖ pathway to God, the
―only‖ group led by a true prophet, the ―only‖ group that is truly doing God‘s work,
the ―only‖ group that can bring social justice to the world, the ―only‖ group that can
lead you to enlightenment in this lifetime. An educational program that discusses the
wide variety of groups in the marketplace and demonstrates how many of them
claim to be unique in virtually the same way and how many are not what they claim
The historical context (i.e., whether cult-related tragedies have occurred in the
country)
The relationship between state and religion
The privileges (if applicable) given to certain religious groups
The presence or not of a state religion
The state financing of certain religions
The government‘s position regarding the cult phenomenon
The impact of public and/or political pressure.
Cultural differences will influence governmental actions or inaction regarding the control or
suppression of cultic groups, the illegality of certain actions, the penalties for violations, and
the vigor with which a government may address the issue.
There are, however, certain areas in which cultural differences will play less of a role, given
that the society in question respects the basic human rights that are taken for granted in
most democracies. The primary area of such action is the education—inoculation, if you
will—of young people so as to make them less likely to be interested in, need, examine,
convert to, commit to, or become subservient to a cultic or extremist group.
There are several areas along the pathway to violence where the vulnerability of young
people to cultic or extremist groups could be decreased through preventive action.
Recommendation 5
Counseling and educational services designed to help young people develop more
effective coping skills to manage life challenges should receive greater attention and
support from governments and private foundations.
Comment: At 16 years old, a person is still considered a minor, a child, whose life is
regimented and directed by parents and other authorities. Only six years later (fewer
if the person does not attend college), that person will have graduated college and
may be expected to participate as an equal in the adult world of work, find a mate
and get married, and begin raising a family. That so many young people suffer from
feelings of inadequacy and depression is not surprising, given the stress they
experience moving so quickly from childhood to adulthood. During no time in life do
human beings assume so much increase in responsibility in so short a time span.
And yet, society pays relatively scant attention to the psychological needs of its
youth. An offering of more guidance and assistance to youth would not only reduce
their vulnerability to cultic and extremist groups, but would contribute to the
amelioration of many other social problems, as well.
Recommendation 6
Schools, religious institutions, and community organizations should support cultic
studies experts in the development of educational programs that make young people
in high school and college aware of the different types of cultic and extremist groups
they will encounter in the ideological marketplace.
Comment: So many groups present themselves as the ―only‖ pathway to God, the
―only‖ group led by a true prophet, the ―only‖ group that is truly doing God‘s work,
the ―only‖ group that can bring social justice to the world, the ―only‖ group that can
lead you to enlightenment in this lifetime. An educational program that discusses the
wide variety of groups in the marketplace and demonstrates how many of them
claim to be unique in virtually the same way and how many are not what they claim
