Scientology: A Criticism Of Cult

The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines the word "cult" as "a religion regarded as unorthodox or spurious". Though the definition may seem clean-cut, there is much confusion over the boundary between cult followings and organized religion. These unanswered questions have been mulled over by experts who have now developed a criteria a denomination must meet to be consider a "cult". Cults differ from religion because they criticize other ideologies, have manipulating leaders, Religion is a sensitive topic. The contradiction in beliefs of many has always caused conflicts and cults are no different. The most expansive of these conflicts come in the form of criticism. Criticism of other ideologies is key to distinguishing mainstream religion and

The most prominent accounts of criticism comes from the Church of Scientology. Groups such as Heaven's Gate and the Branch Davidians taught their followers to "be written off as cultists" and "perceive the world as hostile and to expect persecution and death as a result" (Marshall Herff Applewhite). Perhaps the largest "cult" today, Scientology has had a history with tracking down and silencing opposing critics. In many cases, these critics are former members who leave and begin to speak out. The current leader's father, Ron Miscavige, exited the church and began to speak out only to be labeled as having "abused his wife and daughter… arrested for attempted rape; and has a history of anti-Semitic and racist comments." (Ex-Scientologists). This kind of condemnation from the Church of Scientology and other extreme ideologies usually originates from a charismatic

This is not exactly the case for cult followings. Expert Janja Lalich expresses that cults "encourage or required to live and/or socialize only with other group members" (Characteristics Associated With Cults) and "are separatist when they promote withdrawal from the larger society" (Definition of Cult). This has proven true with many of the most renowned cults. Applewhite and Heaven's Gate isolated followers in a large house outside of San Diego. Koresh ordered his followers to live in a fenced-in compound on a ranch outside of Waco. Jim Jones and his devotees left their homes and families behind in the U.S. to create Jonestown in Guyana. This kind of separation from society is polar opposite to traditional