The American Cult

Social interaction and acceptance by some social group is listed as number three in German sociologist, Joseph Maslow's, higherarchy of needs. It is just above our base necessities of food and shelter. Wether it be with family or friends most people find an outlet for this basic need of belonging to and identifying with a social group. Throughout history these social groups have defined cultural groups; i.e. families, tribes, states, nations, and races of people. These cultural groups have given rise to varying perspectives on life and the way we should live it. More so, they have resulted in creeds, political philosophies, religion, spiritual sects, and dogma. These cultural movements have produced sub-cultures and counter cultures within the varying cultures themselves. A group that perpetuates the beliefs of a sub or counter culture in any society can be defined as a cult, or rather a group people sharing the same beliefs and or, working toward a common goal. In some of these cases the same thing that brings one group together, also serves as a tool to separate them from the rest as a whole. There are many cults that have been with us for centuries, others for millennia, still others have molded our world and our minds into what they are today.

Historically cults have formed the base of secret societies, guilds, sects, and even political parties. In the reign of King Tut's father, in ancient Egypt, all religious cults were banned in favor of the cult of Amun; the Egyptian god of creation. This act caused much political turmoil during his reign, leading to his assassination . After his premature death, one of King Tut's first decrees was the legalization of several select cults, in hope of ending the political unrest. Shortly after his young death Egypt split in to the upper and lower kingdoms. In western culture the Knight's Templar and the Free Masons are shrouded in history and skepticism. Some say they control all of western civilization, but we, the people; may never know. These and other organizations like them have welt unimaginable political power throughout human history. Without them the face of the world would not be what it is, it would be entirely different in some way.

All religions are cults, wether they be secular or metaphysical. Even Christianity began as a simple cultic sect of Judaism. It was not until the reign of Roman emperor Constantine, who made the Christianity the official religion of the Roman Republic, that Christianity met with wide spread approval. Some would argue that this standardization of religion only made the roman struggle to maintain there empire even more tiresome, eventually contributing to its collapse. However, with the resource of Rome behind it, the Roman Catholic Church, quickly became the most successful organization in history, to this day. In modern times Alcoholics Anonymous, has become the second most successful organization in history. In its brief existence membership has grown form under 100 members in 1939 when Alcoholics Anonymous, was first written, to close to 3,000,000 at the time of the printing of the forth edition in 2001. Both of these organizations can be defined as cults, but are classified as Religions by there tax i.d. number. Thus far they have stood the test of time, and have caused positive change in the lives of many of those who have come in contact with them and in the lives of there active members.

In modern times the term cult has taken on a more sinister meaning, than that which it might have formally conveyed. Mainly do to the fear based media's coverage of "news worthy events," focusing on cult and cultist