21. Ankerberg Theological Research Institute - The John Ankerberg Show general apologetics, cults, and the occult. http://www.ankerberg.com/

Would you consider making a gift to the ministry at this time? HOW DO I BECOME A CHRISTIAN LISTING DAILY ... INFORMATION QUICK LINKS SEARCH THIS WEEK ON THE JOHN ANKERBERG SHOW (TV) RADIO RESOURCE CENTER: ... ABOUT JOHN ANKERBERG E-MAIL THIS PAGE Enter recipient's e-mail: THIS WEEK ON JOHN ANKERBERG What Should Christian Parents Know About Harry Potter? HOW MUCH DO YOU KNOW ABOUT HARRY POTTER? A fun activity for parents and kids that will help parents explain the spiritual aspects of the Harry Potter movies and books to their children. TAKE THE HARRY POTTER QUIZ GRADUATION GIFT IDEA: This book offers historical and scriptural evidence to help you find the answers you need to the toughest of questions. DR. ANKERBERG'S COMMENTS ON CREATION DOES SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE TODAY SHOW THAT GOD CREATED THE HEAVENS AND THE EARTH? AND WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT WHEN HE CREATED? PDF HTML ADDITIONAL ARTICLES CLICK ARTICLE TITLE TO READ: Darwin’s Leap of Faith (Dr. John Ankerberg, Dr. John Weldon)

22. Cults And New Religions: General Welcome to ON TRUTHA ministry of Dr. Cky J. Carrigan devoted to Apologetic Evangelism which seeks to equip the saints for the work of evangelism through a rigorous pursuit of TRUTH motivated by LOVE . http://www.ontruth.com/cultsbooks.html

Welcome to ON TRUTH A ministry of Dr. Cky J. Carrigan devoted to Apologetic Evangelism which seeks to equip the saints for the work of evangelism through a rigorous pursuit of TRUTH motivated by LOVE. HOME TOP PICKS IN RED Abanes, Richard. Defending the Faith: A Beginner's Guide to Cults and New Religions . Baker, 1997. Abanes, Richard. Cults, New Religious Movements, And Your Family: A Guide to Ten Non-Christian Groups Out To Convert Your Loved Ones . Crossway, 1998. Ankerberg, John and John Weldon. Encyclopedia of Cults and New Religions. Harvest House, 1999. Ankerberg, John and John Weldon. The Facts on False Views of Jesus. Eugene: Harvest House Publishers, 1997. Beckwith, Francis and Stephen E. Parrish. See the Gods Fall: Four Rivals To Christianity. College Press, 1997. Boa, Kenneth. Cults, World Religions and the Occult. Chariot Victor, 1990. Braswell, Jr., George W. Understanding Sectarian Groups in America. Broadman, 1986. Carden, Paul. "Confronting Cults on World Mission Fields." Evangelical Missions Quarterly (April 2000): 184-189. Available in the future at http://www.wheaton.edu/bgc/emis/archives.htm

23. General Information On Cults And Aberrant Groups Darkness to Light Home Page www.dtl.org. Click Here for Books and eBooks by Gary F. Zeolla. www.dtl.org/cults/subject/general.htm. http://www.dtl.org/cults/subject/general.htm

Darkness to Light Home Page Books and eBooks by the Director Cults and Aberrant Groups General Information Aberrant Christianity by Pat Knapp Characteristics of a Cult - Chart Anti-Intellectualism, Legalism, and the Cults Evangelism and the Cults by Knapp and Beck Recovery From Spiritual Abuse - by Sharon Hilderbrant, M.A. Starting an Ex-Cult Support Group - by Hilderbrant and Myatt Dysfunctional Families: Framework for Cult Membership - by Mimi Wickliff Counter-Cult Books: Books-A-Million Recommendations Cults and Aberrant Groups Subject Index Alphabetical List of Pages ... Darkness to Light Home Page www.dtl.org Click Here for Books and eBooks by Gary F. Zeolla www.dtl.org/cults/subject/general.htm

24. General Counter-Cults Books Reviewed general Countercults. Books Reviewed. By Gary F. Zeolla. Below are reviews of books which each deal with a variety of cults and other non-Christian groups. http://www.dtl.org/cults/review/general_cults.htm

Darkness to Light Home Page Books and eBooks by the Director General Counter-Cults Books Reviewed By Gary F. Zeolla Below are reviews of books which each deal with a variety of cults and other non-Christian groups. The title links below are direct links to where the book can be purchased from Books-A-Million For details on my book Scripture Workbook mentioned in these reviews, see Scripture Workbook Preview . It is also available from Books-a-Million Kingdom of the Cults By Walter Martin, edited by Hank Hanegraaff This is a standard reference work on cults. It has gone through numerous editions, the first being in 1965. Walter Martin was a premier cults researcher. And since Martin’s death, Hanegraaff has kept this volume up to date. This volume covers the most important groups, like JWs and Mormonism, movements like spiritualism, and even world religions like Islam. For each group covered the volume presents a basic history and an overview of its teachings. Then it evaluates those teachings from a Biblical and logical perspective. And the rebuttals to the arguments of each group are very thorough. Some members of groups that Martin discusses try to claim that this book misrepresents their teachings. But Martin includes numerous quotations from writings published by the group to document their teachings. And references for these quotes are given, so the quotes can be looked up to be sure Martin is not taking them out of context. So it’s hard to see how he is misrepresenting them.

25. China - General Info On Cults, Sects, And Alternative Religious Movements Religious cults, sects, and alternative religions Home Page, Database of archived news items Note Most of the items included here are of a general nature. http://www.apologeticsindex.org/china-00.html

China An Apologetics Index research resource Menu What's New? (Home) Site Map A-Z Apologetics Index (Cults, Sects, ...) ... Daily Cartoon Miscellaneous AI's Bookstore Online Greeting Cards Berean Email Service High-Quality Links Mailing Lists AI-Renewal AI-Update Holland Holland's Christian Directory Holland's Christian Calendar About AI About AI FAQ Contact AI Statement of Faith ... Search this site China A-Z Apologetics Index Cults, Sects, Alternative Religious Movements Other Countries Articles ... About The Color Key China's citizens are promised freedom of worship by their constitution. But China's communist leaders have always been suspicious of organized religion, which it views as a potential threat to the legitimacy of the state. But they have grown particularly wary of non-approved religious activity during the past several years as ordinary citizens have turned to belief systems beyond communism to bring meaning to their lives. Although Beijing claims to permit a variety of faiths, including Buddhism Taoism and Christianity , it recognizes only five churches – each of which is required to register with and submit to oversight by the State Administration of Religious Affairs. China's communist leaders have established a state-sanctioned church for Chinese Catholics, run by Beijing-appointed prelates who reject the legitimacy of the pope. An estimated 12 million Chinese loyal to Rome worship at clandestine prayer meetings often held in private homes.

26. Bible - General Information And Research Resources - News About Religious Cults Research resources on religious cults, sects, and alternative religions Bible - general Information and Research Resources. Bible http://www.apologeticsindex.org/b44.html

Bible - General Information and Research Resources An Apologetics Index research resource Bible - General Information and Research Resources Back to A-Z Index About The Color Key Articles Books ... About this page - Articles - How The Old Testament Was Written An article on the Unravelling Wittgenstein's Net site How were the books of the New Testament chosen? Words Used For Describing The Bible An explanation of words like "authentic," "inerrant," "inspired," etcetera. ''You Can't Trust The Gospels. They're Unreliable.'' A chapter from Paul Copan 's book, ''True For You, But Not For Me'' - Books - Click On Titles To Order At Discount More Books BibleFinder Comparison chart detailing the distinctive features of various translations IVP Bible Study Guides Excellent books from Inter Varsity Press Manners and Customs in the Bible by Victor Harold Matthews Search The Scriptures by Alan M. Stibbs. This popular, one-volume study guide was first published in 1934. Used as designed, the book guides the reader through the entire Bible in three years. Instead of providing commentary, the book teaches the reader how to get the most out of each passage by providing two or three thought-provoking questions per Bible reading. Many people also use this inductive study course as a daily devotional guide. Highly recommended. English Bible Translation Comparison Brief information about various English-language Bible translations. Includes a resource to quickly compare specific verses found in various versions of the English Bible.

27. Eric Barger On Spiritual Warfare,The Cults And Biblically Based Apologetics. Read Masonic Blue Lodge Rituals word for word - here! cults - general. Jesus Paid the Cost So We Could Reach the Lost! - Ed Decker Eric Barger. http://www.ericbarger.com/information.htm

INFORMATION RESOURCE CENTER Updated May 1, 2004 Enter a search word or phrase to find information here on our site! New Age Movement Race Toward Judgement - The New Age Movement Deceptions of The Secular Press How Can Christians Witness to Those in the New Age Movement? - Vincent McCann 2...4...6...8...C'mon, Christians, MEDITATE! ... UFOs "Identified" Cults Mormonism Mormonism: Christian or Cult? Mormons and Christians: How far is too far? ... Tell Me Again, You Are My Brother? - Jim Spencer Why I Love Mormons but not Mormonism - Jim Spencer OUT of Mormonism! - Ed Decker's Story My Journey out of Mormonism - Dianne Pomon's Story Do They REALLY Believe That? Mormon Temple Ritual Changes Joseph Smith and the Temple of Doom Jehovah's Witnesses Witnessing to "the Witnesses" Jehovah's Witness - Lecture Notes from Ed Decker Are Jehovah's Witnesses "Christian"? Questions To ask Jehovah's Witnesses Freemasonry Christ or the Lodge? A Presbyterian Report on Freemasonry The TRUTH about the Founding Fathers and Freemasonry Christianity and Freemasonry - a Proclamation ... - here! Cults - general What is a Cult? - Jim Spencer

28. RBC: EVIL CULTS We wish to correct this growing problem by submitting the following general guidelines for Evil Cultists. 1. Pick one faith and stay with it. http://www.sam-hane.com/agency/evilcult.htm

How To Be An Evil Cultist: Recently, the Society For Evil Overlords has noticed a regrettable decline in the availability and quality of fanatical henchmen, evil priests, and willing sacrificial victims. We wish to correct this growing problem by submitting the following general guidelines for Evil Cultists. 1. Pick one faith and stay with it. Dilettantism is the mark of the amateur. 2. Avoid needless embarrassment. Practise the correct pronunciation of your deity's name in the privacy of your own room before chanting it in public. Flash cards are often helpful. 3. Never invoke anything bigger than your head. 4. Avoid all cabalistic jewelry over ten pounds in weight it attracts unwelcome attention from tourists, policemen, various supernatural creatures, and can be downright dangerous during thunderstorms. 5. Citronella candles may not be used in rituals. I cannot stress this enough. Pastel-colored candles in the shape of cute animals are like beacons to the Powers of Darkness. 6. Always keep your kit with you: candles, chalk, incense, silver knife, Thuggee cord, service revolver, garlic, Yellow Sign, cabfare, condoms, and change. 7. NEVER be the cultist that goes to rough up the hero(es). Ransacking hotel rooms is probably safe, but going 'round to beat up the good guys is a sure route to the bottom of the Thames.

29. Cults cults. general Overviews Anticult and Counter-cult Movements Excellent page of discussion and links on both the Christian counter http://www.premier1.net/~raines/cults.html

Cults General Overviews: Anti-cult and Counter-cult Movements Excellent page of discussion and links on both the Christian counter-cult and the anti-cult movements. Views on "Cults": American Family Foundation AFF is a resource for those coming out of "destructive cults." They publish a newsletter and one of the few scholarly journals dealing with the cults - The Cultic Studies Journal. Mind control model based anti-cult group. Cult Awareness and Information Centre - Australia Jan Groenveld's (ex-JW, mormon) site with lots of material on "cults," "mind control," and issues facing those leaving cults. Mind control model based. Free Minds Randy Watters'(ex-JW) site on JWs "and other authoritarian religions." Supports the mind control model. Cesnur Website of the Center for the Study of New Religious Movements. Debunks Mind Control model and supports groups like JWs against the counter-cult and anti-cult movements. Brainwashing, Mind Control Models: Pro: Understanding Mind Control Former Moonie and exit counselor Steven Hassan's home page. Author of Combating Cult Mind Control Thought Reform and the Psychology of Totalism Chapter 22 of Robert J. Lifton's book on mind control. Lists the marks of brainwashing or "mind control."

30. Cults And New Religions: General HOME. cults New Religions general. TOP PICKS IN RED. Abanes, Richard. Defending the Faith A Beginner s Guide to cults and New Religions. Baker, 1997. http://ontruth.com/cultsbooks.html

Welcome to ON TRUTH A ministry of Dr. Cky J. Carrigan devoted to Apologetic Evangelism which seeks to equip the saints for the work of evangelism through a rigorous pursuit of TRUTH motivated by LOVE. HOME TOP PICKS IN RED Abanes, Richard. Defending the Faith: A Beginner's Guide to Cults and New Religions . Baker, 1997. Abanes, Richard. Cults, New Religious Movements, And Your Family: A Guide to Ten Non-Christian Groups Out To Convert Your Loved Ones . Crossway, 1998. Ankerberg, John and John Weldon. Encyclopedia of Cults and New Religions. Harvest House, 1999. Ankerberg, John and John Weldon. The Facts on False Views of Jesus. Eugene: Harvest House Publishers, 1997. Beckwith, Francis and Stephen E. Parrish. See the Gods Fall: Four Rivals To Christianity. College Press, 1997. Boa, Kenneth. Cults, World Religions and the Occult. Chariot Victor, 1990. Braswell, Jr., George W. Understanding Sectarian Groups in America. Broadman, 1986. Carden, Paul. "Confronting Cults on World Mission Fields." Evangelical Missions Quarterly (April 2000): 184-189. Available in the future at http://www.wheaton.edu/bgc/emis/archives.htm

31. General Cults-Sects Outline Lecture Notes for Introduction to cults and Sects. IV. HEADQUARTERS general CONFERENCE OF SEVENTHDAY ADVENTISTS, SILVER SPRINGS, MARYLAND. V. MEMBERSHIP. http://ontruth.com/csol.html

Welcome to ON TRUTH A ministry of Dr. Cky J. Carrigan devoted to Apologetic Evangelism which seeks to equip the saints for the work of evangelism through a rigorous pursuit of TRUTH motivated by LOVE. HOME HOW TO BECOME A CHRISTIAN? This Doc Is 43 Printed Pages Lecture Notes for Introduction to Cults and Sects By Cky J. Carrigan, Ph.D. JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES- I. WHO ARE JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES? A. OFFICIAL ORGANIZATION 1. WATCHTOWER BIBLE AND TRACT SOCIETY (WBTS) OF NEW YORK, INC 2. INTERNATIONAL BIBLE STUDENTS ASSOCIATION 3. WATCHTOWER BIBLE AND TRACT SOCIETY OF PENNSYLVANIA B. FOUNDER: CHARLES T. RUSSELL (1852-1916) C. CURRENT LEADER: MILTON G. HENSCHEL (b. 1918) D. WORLD HQ: "BETHEL" BROOKLYN, NEW YORK E. ACTIVE PARTICIPANTS (PUBLISHERS) 1. WORLDWIDE: 5.6 MILLION IN 232 COUNTRIES 2. N. AMERICA: 1.1 MILLION F. PUBLICATIONS 1. THE WATCHTOWER (16.5 MIL IN 120 LANGUAGES) 2. AWAKE (16 MIL IN 78 LANG) 3. KINGDOM INTERLINEAR TRANSLATION 4. NEW WORLD TRANSLATION G. HISTORY 1. 1870, RUSSELL BEGINS BIBLE STUDY GROUPS FOCUSED ON THE SECOND COMING 2. 1884, RUSSELL PRESIDENT OF ZION WATCH TOWER AND TRACT SOCIETY, INC

32. Kingdom Of The Cults Kingdom of the cults ADD ON MODULE FOR PC STUDY BIBLE VERSION 4 ONLY The Revised, Updated and Expanded Anniversary Edition, Hank Hanegraaff, general Editor. http://www.biblesoft.com/html/cults.html

PC Study Bible Libraries Take your Bible study to the next level with the new PC Study Bible Version 4 PC Study Bible Add-Ons Expand your library with Biblesoft's growing list of add-on products Other Products Other releases from Biblesoft, capable of plugging into your current library or operating as stand-alone units Product Descriptions An in-depth catalog of the reference works available for PC Study Bible Biblesoft Authoring System Create your own Bible studies that seamlessly integrate with your PC Study Bible ADDITIONAL RESOURCES Free Trial Library Download the free PC Study Bible Version 4 Limited Edition Library Online Bible Studies Check out our monthly series of free Bible studies Free Online Downloads Visit the Biblesoft Exchange to grow your library with free add-on titles Advanced Reference Library Retail: $499.95 Sale: $399.95 Complete Reference Library Retail: $349.95

33. "Freemasonry", and certainly, the most deceptive , both for the general public, and for the first 3 degrees of initiates Entered Apprentice, Fellow Craft, and Master http://religion-cults.com/Secret/Freemasonry/Freemasonry.htm

Freemasonry "Masonry", "The Brotherhood", "The Lodge","The Craft": Freemasonry, Masonry The "God" of the Masons Emblem, 5 Points of Fellowship Deception on Religion ... Membership Freemasonry: A secret fraternal order of Free and Accepted Masons, spread by the British Empire, with actually 5 million members; 3 million in the USA, with 250,00 on the black "Prince Hall" Masonry (rejected by many white lodges). Some Masons define it as "a beautiful system of morality veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols" ... also as "the realization of God by the practice of Brotherhood" : To reach God by doing good works to your neighbor... ... It has been described as "the biggest, richest, most secret and most powerful private force in the world". .. and certainly, "the most deceptive" , both for the general public, and for the first 3 degrees of "initiates": Entered Apprentice, Fellow Craft, and Master Mason (the basic "Blue Lodge")... These Initiates are purposely deceived!, in believing they know every thing, while they don't know anything about the true Masonry... in the words of Albert Pike, whose book "Morals and Dogma" is the standard monitor of Masonry, and copies are often presented to the members, "the first three degrees are but the outer court of the Temple. Part of the symbols are displayed there to the Initiate, but he is intentionally mislead by false interpretations. It is not intended that he shall understand them; but it is intended that he shall imagine he understand them... it is well enough for the mass of those called Masons to imagine that all is contained in the Blue Degrees" ("Morals and Dogma", p.819).

34. Branches Of Christianity General Branches of Christianity http://religion-cults.com/Christianity/General/Branch-C-General.htm

"Branches" of Christianity: CATHOLICS ORTHODOX PROTESTANTS ... Administration, Mysticism, Liturgy The 5 "Principles" of Protestantism Religious Orders Doctrines and Differences The Pope has no authority ... Mass "BRANCHES" OF CHRISTIANITY: "There will be only one shepherd, and only one flock" (Jn.10:16). "Christianity", is the religion with the largest membership: In 1995 there are mainly "3 branches", with 1,927 million members: 1- Catholicism : 968 million (since Pentecost, year 33) 2- Orthodoxy (since 1045): 218 million. 3- Protestantism (since 1517): 465 million, plus 276 million not on the main Protestant line. (Encyclopaedia Britannica, Year 1996) Today , in 1998, the number is 2,100 million: 1,100 Catholics, 227 Orthodox, 773 Protestants... See Art Gallery There are over 700 "denominations" , and it is the greatest "shame" and "glory" of Christianity: 1- It is a "shame", because they have different and contradictory believes and practices: One denomination says "Jesus is God", another says, "Jesus is not God"... one says the Spirit is God, another says, he is not... one says, Jesus is really present in the Eucharist, another says he is not... one says abortion is bad, another says it is good... and so on, 1,001 contradictions, and all believing they are the Church of Jesus Christ...

35. Cults, Bieldside And Milltimber Community Council General Information cults, Bieldside and Milltimber are three residential communities 4 to 6 miles south west of Aberdeen, Scotland. They share a common http://www.mbcnews.supanet.com/

Cults, Bieldside and Milltimber are three residential communities 4 to 6 miles south west of Aberdeen, Scotland. They share a common Community Council, The Cults, Bieldside and Milltimber Community Council. (CBMCC). The MBC News , which is published quarterly, works closely with CBMCC, as the two community organisations serve the same area. The CBMCC and MBC News share a site for the convenience of residents, and the name of the site being MBC News is a historical accident. MBC News The latest version of the MBC News Notes for advertisers Detailed notes for prospective advertisers Late news Contains any late local news between issues of the MBC News About CBMCC Details the aims and objectives of the CBMCC CBMCC members CBMCC office bearers and members Minutes of Meetings Minutes of CBMCC Meetings Meetings Dates and venues of Council Meetings Your views and questions Express your views or ask questions Links to other sites Links to other local Community sites

36. FACTNet Message Board cults in general. FACTNet Message Board Social Organizations cults in general http://www.factnet.org/discus/messages/4/1653.html?1084141532

37. Rick Ross: Expert Consultant And Intervention Specialist a thought provoking mix of articles and commentary, including general information about some might question as Cult Apologists? Just as the cults have their http://www.rickross.com/general_info.html

Search Information Cult Apologists? Here you will find a thought provoking mix of articles and commentary, including general information about everything from the power of miracles and mystery to one man's personal testimony about following a "prophet." Read about fundamentalist proselytizers, people "addicted to God" and how the Holocaust has meaning in our world today through new totalist groups. This is an intriguing section developed from eclectic sources and material. Also, in this section you will find information about individuals some might question as " Cult Apologists ?" Just as the cults have their critics, they also have a cadre of defenders. It seems to have become a burgeoning business embraced by assorted academics, authors and "religous scholars." Many are promoted, supported and sometimes funded by the very groups they defend. These groups seem to maintain a constant stable of reliable "experts" who will often apologize for their behavior. "Cult apologists" may use terms such as "new religions" or "new religous movements" to describe destructive cults. They may also call criticism of those groups "persecution" or "bigotry." Here you will find information linking many so-called "apologists" to the groups they often defend.

38. Controversial Groups Database - Cults Data Base - Articles About Cults of information about controversial groups, some called cults, and related general Information about controversial groups and Cult Apologists is also http://www.rickross.com/sg_alpha.html

Search CultNews.com Weblog General Information All Articles "Bible"-Based ... Other Groups on File The Rick A. Ross Institute has assembled one of the largest databases of information about controversial groups, some called "cults," and related information on the Internet. The database contains thousands of press articles, court documents, and essays. There are several different ways to help you locate the information quickly: Search the database by keywords . There is a quick search box on the upper-left of the page. Collections of articles pertaining to specific groups are listed alphabetically below, and are conveniently grouped by category on the left-hand menu bar. General Information about controversial groups and "Cult Apologists" is also available. There is also a complete, alphabetical listing of all articles in the database Some groups have information that is available upon request, listed under Other Groups on File Alphabetical Listing of All Groups A B C D ... Adi Da Adidam Abusive/Controlling Relationships African Sects Aggressive Christianity Missionary Training Corp Aguilar, Phil ... Amma Mata Amritanandamyi Math Amway Ananda Church of Self-Realization Anderson, Chuck

39. Copyright 1994 By The Christian Research Institute. Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints see Mormonism Church Universal and Triumphant Computers / Computer Software cults (general) Eschatology ESP EST http://www.iclnet.org/pub/resources/software/mac/critext/about/CRI_Resource_List

TITLE AUTHOR'S FIRST NAME AUTHOR'S LAST NAME ITEM NUMBER PRICE SECOND AUTHOR'S FIRST NAME SECOND AUTHOR'S LAST NAME Angels on Assignment Angels On Assignment? Leah Grossman FS-011 .20 Apologetics Know Why You Believe Paul Little B-267 8.00 Apologetics Mere Christianity C.S. Lewis B-116 6.00 Apologetics Scaling The Secular City: A Defense of Christianity J.P. Moreland B-128 13.00 Apologetics The Battle For The Resurrection Norman Geisler B-258 15.00 Apologetics What Americans Believe George Barna B-243 17.00 Apologetics Who Moved The Stone? Frank Morison B-103 8.00 Apologetics Evil And Human Suffering Walter Martin C-091 6.00 Apologetics Inspiration of Scripture Walter Martin C-090 6.00 Apologetics Jesus: God, Man Or Myth? Walter Martin C-101 6.00 Apologetics Martin On The Famed "Long John Nebel Show" Walter Martin C-120 12.00 Apologetics Miracles Walter Martin C-077 6.00 Apologetics Reasons For Faith Walter Martin C-086 6.00 Apologetics Secular Humanism Walter Martin C-146 6.00 Apologetics

40. Religious Cults Just as the Protestant Ethic supported early capitalism, the general ethic of the cults may be the stabilizing element in future society. http://mb-soft.com/believe/text/cults.htm

Religious Cults General Information There is no definition of cult that is universally accepted by sociologists and psychologists of religion. The term cult is popularly applied to groups characterized by some kind of faddish devotion to a person or practice that is significantly apart from the cultural mainstream. For example, certain kinds of activities may take on cultlike ritualistic characteristics (recent widespread interest in intense physical exercise has been termed the physical fitness cult). Movie stars, entertainers, and other public figures sometimes generate passionate bands of followers that are called cults (the Elvis Presley cult, to cite one). Groups that form around a set of esoteric beliefs - not necessarily religious - may also be termed cults (for example, flying saucer cults). When applied to religious groups, cult retains much of this popular usage but takes on more specific meaning, especially when contrasted with other kinds of religious organizations. Cults and Other Forms of Religious Organization The most commonly used classification of religious organizations is as churches or sects. Although there have been numerous modifications of the original distinction, the following points are generally retained.

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