Difference between revisions 377238 and 382794 on enwiki

<i>For this article to have the [[neutral point of view]], it should say '''who''' considers each listed a group a "cult" and '''why''', balanced by similar info about those who disagree with the "cult" designation. Otherwise, it's just a list of groups that have somehow acquired a bad reputation.</i>

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This is a list of organizations, religious groups, and sects which are purported to be cults.
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and use [[mind control]] and psychological pressure to encourage people to join the organization and to discourage them from leaving.   

On its Web site, the company denies that it is a cult. "No, Amway Corporation is a business and, similar to other large and established companies, has a distinct environment defined by shared business goals. Shared business philosophies should not be misinterpreted as a cult."

References:


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* http://www.ex-cult.org/Groups/Amway/ (Ex-Cult Resource Center)
* http://www.amway.com/infocenter/questions/question13.asp (Amway)

=== Bruderhof ===
The Bruderhof is considered a cult primarily by its former members, though not all former members would agree with that designation.

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References
*http://www.jewsforjudaism.org/j4j-2000/html/FAQ/ (Jews for Judaism FAQ)
*http://www.jfjonline.org/ (Jews for Jesus official site)

=== Opus Dei ===

[[Opus Dei]] ("God's Work") is a powerful and influential conservative [[Roman Catholic]] organization founded in [[1928]] by 
'''Josemaria Escriva'''. Opus Dei has many of the attributes ascribed to cult organisations: authoritarianism, exclusivity, secrecy, secret rituals and shunning.

Supporters of Opus Dei (generally, members of Opus Dei) point to its acceptance by the current Pope as a demonstration of its orthodoxy and respectability: opponents state that this shows how deeply Opus Dei has infiltrated the Roman Catholic Church. 

References:
* http://www.opusdei.org/ Official Opus Dei website
* http://www.mond.at/opus.dei/ Anti Opus Dei website
* http://www.odan.org/ Anti Opus Dei website
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=== Unification Church ===

The [[Unification Church]] has been called a cult for religious heresy, alleged corruption in its top leadership, [[mind control]], and (in the past) fears that its members would commit mass suicide.

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* The [[Church of the SubGenius]] has made numerous attempts to be included on lists of cults and controversial religious movements.  This organization is widely seen as a humorous [[parody]] of religious cults, though members of the organization vehemently deny this; they state that while they are seen as a "joke desguised as a religion," in actuality they are a "religion disguised as a joke."