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[[File:Marshall Applewhite.jpg|400px|thumb|Marshall Applewhite, leader and co-founder of the Heaven's Gate cult, considered by many to be a typical cult]] | |||
'''Cult''' is a common term for a group perceived as requiring unwavering devotion to a set of beliefs and practices which are considered deviant outside the norms of society. Such groups are typically perceived as being led by a charismatic leader who tightly controls its members. It is in some contexts a pejorative term, also used for new religious movements and other social groups. | '''Cult''' is a common term for a group perceived as requiring unwavering devotion to a set of beliefs and practices which are considered deviant outside the norms of society. Such groups are typically perceived as being led by a charismatic leader who tightly controls its members. It is in some contexts a pejorative term, also used for new religious movements and other social groups. | ||
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In the 1980s, clergymen and officials of the French government expressed concern that some orders and other groups within the Roman Catholic Church would be adversely affected by anti-cult laws which were then being considered. | In the 1980s, clergymen and officials of the French government expressed concern that some orders and other groups within the Roman Catholic Church would be adversely affected by anti-cult laws which were then being considered. | ||
== | ==Disbanded groups considered cults== | ||
* Branch Davidians - Christian cult based in Waco, Texas whose members perished in a confrontation with the DEA | * Branch Davidians - Christian cult based in Waco, Texas whose members perished in a confrontation with the DEA | ||
* Order of the Solar Temple - Christian cult whose members committed mass suicide | * Order of the Solar Temple - Christian cult whose members committed mass suicide | ||
* Manson Family - [[New Age]] cult led by Charles Manson | * Manson Family - [[New Age]] cult led by Charles Manson | ||
* NXIVM - Sex trafficking cult whose leaders were arrested | * NXIVM - Sex-trafficking cult whose leaders were arrested | ||
* Heaven's Gate - UFO cult whose members committed mass suicide | * Heaven's Gate - UFO cult whose members committed mass suicide | ||
* Peoples Temple - Christian cult who members committed mass suicide | * Peoples Temple - Christian cult who members committed mass suicide | ||
==Modern groups considered cults== | ==Modern groups considered cults== | ||
* | * Aum Shinrikyo - Doomsday cult which carried out a terrorist attack in 1995 | ||
* The Family International - Christian cult whose members practice prostitution and sex with children | * The Family International - Christian cult whose members practice prostitution and sex with children | ||
* Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (FLDS) - A Mormon offshoot cult which practices polygamy | |||
* Order of Nine Angles - [[Satanism|Satanic]] [[left-hand path]] cult and terrorist group in the UK | * Order of Nine Angles - [[Satanism|Satanic]] [[left-hand path]] cult and terrorist group in the UK | ||
* Potter's House Christian Fellowship - Pentecostal Christian cult with global membership | * Potter's House Christian Fellowship - Pentecostal Christian cult with global membership | ||
* QAnon - Far-right American political movement | * QAnon - Far-right American political movement | ||
* Rajneesh movement - Religious group inspired by the teachings of Osho | * Rajneesh movement - Religious group inspired by the teachings of Osho | ||
* [[Church of Scientology]] - Religion with teachings derived from science fiction literature | |||
* Unification Church - Christianity-derived cult following the teachings of Sun Myung Moon | * Unification Church - Christianity-derived cult following the teachings of Sun Myung Moon | ||
==Cults in popular culture== | ==Cults in popular culture== | ||