Misattribution and social control in the children of god

This article argues that deviant religions use supposedly godly justifications for their punishment systems by establishing theologies in which members misattribute divine authority to leaders whom they relate to emotionally as to demanding parents. These misattributing theologies "sanctify&quo...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of religion and health
Main Author: Kent, Stephen A. (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
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Published: Springer Science + Business Media B. V. [1994]
In: Journal of religion and health
Further subjects:B Theoretical Point
B Early Period
B Punishment System
B Social Control
B Divine Authority
Online Access: Volltext (Resolving-System)
Description
Summary:This article argues that deviant religions use supposedly godly justifications for their punishment systems by establishing theologies in which members misattribute divine authority to leaders whom they relate to emotionally as to demanding parents. These misattributing theologies "sanctify" the harsh suffering that members often experience. Illustrations of the theoretical points come from texts published by the Children of God in its early period (the 1970s), supplemented by accounts given by two women who have left the group.
ISSN:1573-6571
Contains:Enthalten in: Journal of religion and health
Persistent identifiers:DOI: 10.1007/BF02354497