A Typology of Cults
The development of a concept of “cult” useful for empirical research has lagged behind the refinement of terms used to analyze other forms of religious organization. Utilizing Troeltsch's “technical mysticism” concept, the article defines cults as non-traditional religious groups that are based...
| Main Author: | |
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| Format: | Electronic Article |
| Language: | English |
| Check availability: | HBZ Gateway |
| Journals Online & Print: | Drawer...
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| Interlibrary Loan: | Interlibrary Loan for the Fachinformationsdienste (Specialized Information Services in Germany) |
| Published: |
1978
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| In: |
Sociological analysis
Year: 1978, Volume: 39, Issue: 3, Pages: 228-240 |
| Online Access: |
Volltext (JSTOR) Volltext (lizenzpflichtig) Volltext (lizenzpflichtig) |
| Summary: | The development of a concept of “cult” useful for empirical research has lagged behind the refinement of terms used to analyze other forms of religious organization. Utilizing Troeltsch's “technical mysticism” concept, the article defines cults as non-traditional religious groups that are based on a belief in a divine element within the individual. Three ideal types of cults are posited: a mystically-oriented illumination type; an instrumental type, in which inner experience is sought for its effects; and a service-oriented type, which is focused on aiding others. The usefulness of the typology is tested in its application to the analysis of six groups: Theosophy, Wisdom of the Soul, Spiritualism, New Thought, Scientology, and Transcendental Meditation. |
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| ISSN: | 2325-7873 |
| Contains: | Enthalten in: Sociological analysis
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| Persistent identifiers: | DOI: 10.2307/3710443 |