rrmoderator, So are you saying that most groups that are called cults have the three characteristics that define destructive cults?
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

I have a lot of friends who are in Sufi groups - I thought it was pretty mainstream...is this group the only known Sufi cult group? I don't know who my friends follow, I have never been invited to or asked to go to their meetings. They do a lot of Sufi dancing - is that the same kind of thing?
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

I think this is a really interesting conversation. Just because some group or a person appears on this site - it does not mean that they are a cult. Cult - is also the root word of 'culture' - so that is good way to look at it too. Not all cults / cultures are bad - This site has a leader, and moderators, and they control what can be said - censorship - so what is to say - th
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Is this particular cult all about getting a lot of money from people or do they just mess with people's heads?
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

As far as I know, Baha'i group is a benign group that is all-inclusive. There were some groups that broke away from the main Baha'i tenants and had their own teachers and claimed to be the 'true Baha'i' people - a major sect of these types was operating in Montana for quite a long time - and I was told by a friend who runs a Bahai' elementary school - that fear mong
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

AA meetings seem to be one of the few successful treatment programs out there - it has helped so many of my friends and several are my friends are group leaders. I have a lot of respect for their methods. Entering meditation and breathing techniques into the meetings would also add to their success rate and many people might like these practices at the meeting and at home. The format of the me
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

I think some groups do worship Baha'uallah - I went to one of their group meetings - not in a temple but in someone's home and a lady was singing a song to or about Baha'uallah - it was very pretty although I didn't understand all the lyrics. They also gave me a book written by Baha'ullah. Very peaceful group, very nice people.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Byron Katie has been on Oprah - and seems to be even partnered with her, that must say something about her caliber. Correct if I am wrong....but I think that Oprah is fairly selective about who she teams up with. She probably has an entire research department that vets people.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"