Controversies and Misconceptions
Because alternative religions are, by definition, not mainstream, they are less well understood by the general populace. This frequently leads to misconceptions about these faiths. In addition, some alternative religions have (rightly or wrongly) become involved in fairly public controversies.
What is Fair Game in Scientology?
The Church of Scientology enacted the Fair Game policy in 1967, which stated that suppressive persons "[m]ay be deprived of property or injured by any means by any Scientologist without any discipline of the Scientologist. May be tricked, sued or lied to or destroyed."
The Church of Scientology enacted the Fair Game policy in 1967, which stated that suppressive persons "[m]ay be deprived of property or injured by any means by any Scientologist without any discipline of the Scientologist. May be tricked, sued or lied to or destroyed."
Baha'i Persecution in Iran
The lines between politics and religion are often blurred in Iran. While its president is democratically elected, its supreme leader is a Muslim cleric. Islam is the official religion, with Zoroastrianism, Judaism, and Christianity officially recognized as minority religions.
The Baha'i Faith, however, has no such recognition even though it is the largest minority religion in Iran. …
Is Freemasonry a Religion?
The Freemasons are a fraternal order dating back at least four centuries and have likely roots in medieval mason guilds. Questions abound today as to what exactly Freemasons do, believe, and expect from members, thanks in part to hoaxes, gossip, misunderstanding and a distrust of anything that offers even the notion of secrecy.
The Freemasons are a fraternal order dating back at least four centuries and have likely roots in medieval mason guilds. Questions abound today as to what exactly Freemasons do, believe, and expect from members, thanks in part to hoaxes, gossip, misunderstanding and a distrust of anything that offers even the notion of secrecy.
Is Scientology a Cult?
Opponents of Scientology commonly label it as a dangerous cult. Using these guidelines for determining a dangerous cult, let's see how the Church of Scientology actually stacks up.
Opponents of Scientology commonly label it as a dangerous cult. Using these guidelines for determining a dangerous cult, let's see how the Church of Scientology actually stacks up.
What Is a Cult?
The word "cult" has multiple definitions in the English language, which often leads to confusion. Some uses of the word are highly derogatory and denote dangerous or illegal practices, while other definitions are completely neutral, not implying any wrongdoing on the part of believers.
The word "cult" has multiple definitions in the English language, which often leads to confusion. Some uses of the word are highly derogatory and denote dangerous or illegal practices, while other definitions are completely neutral, not implying any wrongdoing on the part of believers.
Evaluating Religions As Dangerous Cults
While "cult" can refer to any religion or belief system, "dangerous cults" are a specific subsection of religions about which people have legitimate concerns. There is no standard method of labeling a religion as a dangerous cult. However, there are a variety of signs which, when viewed together, can help indicate a truly dangerous cult.
While "cult" can refer to any religion or belief system, "dangerous cults" are a specific subsection of religions about which people have legitimate concerns. There is no standard method of labeling a religion as a dangerous cult. However, there are a variety of signs which, when viewed together, can help indicate a truly dangerous cult.
Tnevnoc "Cult" - Dangers of Hastily Labeling A Practice As A Cult
Sociologists invented the "Tnevnoc cult" as an example of how people tend to over-hastily label unfamiliar religious practices as dangerous.
Sociologists invented the "Tnevnoc cult" as an example of how people tend to over-hastily label unfamiliar religious practices as dangerous.
Things To Avoid When Evaluating a Potential Dangerous Cult
Religions and belief systems different from our own are often threatening to us, but we should refrain from highly derogatory labels such as dangerous cult unless they are truly deserved. The following things are not generally considered reason to objectively label a religion as dangerous:
Religions and belief systems different from our own are often threatening to us, but we should refrain from highly derogatory labels such as dangerous cult unless they are truly deserved. The following things are not generally considered reason to objectively label a religion as dangerous:
Do Certain Religions Ban Tarot Reading? - Religious Objections to Divination
Some religious texts, including the Bible, ban divination as a whole. However, the exact interpretation of "divination" varies considerably among believers.
Some religious texts, including the Bible, ban divination as a whole. However, the exact interpretation of "divination" varies considerably among believers.
Why Do Some Religions Keep Secrets?
Secrecy is an inherent part of many religious traditions, and it sometimes causes others to be suspicious of them. Secrecy does not, however, necessarily mean that anything untoward is occurring. Rather, secrecy can be employed out of respect or as a protective measure.
Secrecy is an inherent part of many religious traditions, and it sometimes causes others to be suspicious of them. Secrecy does not, however, necessarily mean that anything untoward is occurring. Rather, secrecy can be employed out of respect or as a protective measure.
How Much Does Scientology Cost?
One of the central complaints of Scientology critics is the vast amount of money required for auditing procedures. How much money is really on the line, and is it money well spent?
One of the central complaints of Scientology critics is the vast amount of money required for auditing procedures. How much money is really on the line, and is it money well spent?
The Fishman Affidavit
The Fishman Affidavit documents the beliefs of the upper levels of Scientologists, specifically the beliefs associated with OT levels I-VIII. These documents, having been material evidence in a legal trial, are being legally reproduced here. For more information on the legal battle surrounding the release of these documents, I recommend http://www.xs4all.nl/~kspaink/fishman/home.html
The Fishman Affidavit documents the beliefs of the upper levels of Scientologists, specifically the beliefs associated with OT levels I-VIII. These documents, having been material evidence in a legal trial, are being legally reproduced here. For more information on the legal battle surrounding the release of these documents, I recommend http://www.xs4all.nl/~kspaink/fishman/home.html
Alternative Religion or Cult?
People commonly look at alternative beliefs as dangerous cults because their beliefs are unfamiliar and frequently non-traditional. The following guide can help you determine whether you're dealing with something dangerous or just different.
People commonly look at alternative beliefs as dangerous cults because their beliefs are unfamiliar and frequently non-traditional. The following guide can help you determine whether you're dealing with something dangerous or just different.
The Necronomicon - Some Facts about A Fiction
A discussion of the Necronomicon, frequently believed to be a real occult book but in fact an invention of horror writer H.P. Lovecraft as part of his Cthulhu mythos.
A discussion of the Necronomicon, frequently believed to be a real occult book but in fact an invention of horror writer H.P. Lovecraft as part of his Cthulhu mythos.