Anti-cult movement

The term "anti-cult movement" was coined as part of the controversy surrounding religious cults. In the 1960s some young middle-class people in the USA started to follow new religious movements that were strange for their families and often at odds with the traditional middle-class values and ideas. The families of these young people became worried about the behavior of their childeren and organized themselves what grew into the anti-cult movement.

Various groups frequently accused of being cults often claim that they are being persecuted by a number of individuals, groups, and organizations that are specifically dedicated to eradicating them. These groups have subsequently been labeled "anti-cult groups."

Supporters of purported cults state that the term "anti-cult movement" is an attempt to create a grand conspiracy theory, which suggests that there is a vast, organized network of individuals and groups who are dedicated to wiping out these organizations solely because they are considered cults.

The opponents of cults (most of them are ex-members) have greatly benefited from the internet. Many new religious movements are now the targets of web sites on which ex-members warn the public of their purported dangers. Before the popularity of the internet, ex-members had far more difficulty coming into contact with other ex-members and gathering and spreading information.

Some anti-cult activists are very critical of scholars who are less critical than they about cults. Anti-cult activists use the word cult apologist for them. These anti-cult activists accuse the cult apologists of being naive, bad scholars and above all reproach them of not warning people who should be warned. Scholarly cooperation between these anti cult-activists and cult apologists seems to be virtualy non-existent.

See also

• Christian countercult movement
• List of anti-cult activists

External links

• Opposing views on cults but the links could be classified as belonging to anti-cult movement
• Canada based religious tolerance website, somewhat critical about the anti-cult movement
• Somewhat apologetic article on cults from the same site
• CESNUR, Italy based bilingual website that is accused by the anti-cult movement of being apologetic towards cults
  • Article about anti-cult terrorism
• USA based website "Foundation against Intolerance of Religious Minorities" critical of the anti-cult movement, connected with the guru Adi Dam
• Article about the various cult watch groups from "Info-cult" organization, funded by among others Quebec government's Ministry of Health and Social Services, Microsoft Word Document

Cult | Purported cults
Cult of personality | Propaganda | Charismatic authority | Communal reinforcement | Faith | Mind control
Christian countercult movement | Anti-cult movement | Exit counseling | Thought reform | Deprogramming	Edit