Cult
From The Art and Popular Culture Encyclopedia
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| + | [[Image:Tommaso.Laureti.Triumph.of.Christianity.jpg|left|thumb|200px|This page '''{{PAGENAME}}''' is part of the [[religion]] series.<br><Small>Illustration: ''[[Triumph of Christianity]]'' (detail) by Tommaso Laureti (1530-1602.)</small>]] | ||
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| "The difference between a [[cult]] or a [[sect]] and a [[religion]], is [[size]], a small number of [[follower]]s vs. a [[multitude]]."--Sholem Stein | "The difference between a [[cult]] or a [[sect]] and a [[religion]], is [[size]], a small number of [[follower]]s vs. a [[multitude]]."--Sholem Stein | ||
| <hr> | <hr> | ||
| - | "Fans of [[cult]] items have a [[religious]], idolatrous and fetishistic devotion -- appropriately so because the terms ''[[Cult (religious practice)|cult]]'', ''[[fetish]]'' and ''[[idol]]'' have their origins in [[primitive religion]]. Cult items never belong to the [[mainstream]] and the [[devotion]] of their fans is often [[obsessive]]. Cult items generally don't gain that status until some time after their [[Art release|release]] and certain genres such as [[horror]], [[erotica]] and [[science fiction]] attract cults more easily than others. In literary and cinematic fiction, cult items often feature '[[subversive]]' elements such as references to non-normative forms of sexuality and as such have often been [[censored]] or [[banned]]. Lastly, cult items are are avidly [[collect]]ed." --Sholem Stein | + | "Certain [[cultural artifacts]] and their makers enjoy a [[cult following]]: there is [[cult fiction]], there are [[cult films]] and there is [[underground music]]." --Sholem Stein |
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| - | [[Image:Tommaso.Laureti.Triumph.of.Christianity.jpg|right|thumb|200px|This page '''{{PAGENAME}}''' is part of the [[Christianity]] series.<br><Small>Illustration: ''[[Triumph of Christianity]]'' (detail) by [[Tommaso Laureti]] (1530-1602.)</small>]]{{Template}} | + | [[Image:Napoléon Bonaparte abdicated in Fontainebleau.jpg|thumb|right|200px|[[Cult of personality]], illustration: ''[[Napoléon Bonaparte abdicated in Fontainebleau]]'' (1845) by Paul Delaroche]] |
| - | :''This article gives a general cultural account of "cult". For its usage in the original sense of "veneration" or "religious practice" see [[Cult (religious practice)]]. For religious groups with modern origins see [[New religious movement]]. For religion in general see [[Religion]]. For other uses see [[Cult (disambiguation)]].'' | + | {{Template}} |
| + | In modern English, a '''cult''' is a [[social group]] that is defined by its [[unusual]] [[Religion|religious]], [[spirituality|spiritual]], or [[Philosophy|philosophical]] beliefs, or by its [[submission]] to a particular [[Cult of personality|personality]], [[cult object|object]], or [[goal]]. This sense of the term is controversial, having divergent definitions both in [[popular culture]] and [[academia]], and has also been an ongoing source of contention among scholars across several fields of study. The word "cult" is usually considered [[pejorative]]. | ||
| + | An older sense of the word [[Cult (religious practice)| ''cult'']] involves a set of religious devotional practices that are conventional within their culture, are related to a particular figure, and are often associated with a particular place. References to the "cult" of a particular [[List of Catholic saints| Catholic saint]], or the [[imperial cult of ancient Rome]], for example, use this sense of the word. | ||
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| + | While the literal and original sense of the word remains in use in the English language, a derived sense of "excessive devotion" arose in the 19th century. | ||
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| + | Beginning in the 1930s, cults became the object of [[sociology|sociological study]] in the context of the study of religious behavior. Since the 1940s the [[Christian countercult movement]] has opposed some [[sect]]s and [[new religious movement]]s, labeling them "cults" because of their [[Heterodoxy|unorthodox beliefs]]. Since the 1970s, the secular [[anti-cult movement]] has opposed certain groups, and in reaction to acts of violence which have been committed by some of their members, it has frequently charged them with practicing [[mind control]]. Scholars and the media have disputed some of the claims and actions of anti-cult movements, leading to further public controversy. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Sociological classifications of religious movements may identify a cult as a social group with [[Deviance (sociology) |socially deviant]] or [[Novelty |novel]] beliefs and practices, although this is often unclear. Other researchers present a less-organized picture of cults, saying that they arise spontaneously around novel beliefs and practices. Groups labelled as "cults" range in size from local groups with a few followers to international organizations with millions of adherents. | ||
| + | ==Connotation== | ||
| The word '''cult''' in current popular usage is a [[pejorative]] term for a [[new religious movement]] or other group whose beliefs or practices are considered abnormal or bizarre by the larger [[society]]. | The word '''cult''' in current popular usage is a [[pejorative]] term for a [[new religious movement]] or other group whose beliefs or practices are considered abnormal or bizarre by the larger [[society]]. | ||
| Usage of the word has been controversial. One reason is that the word "cult" (as used in the pejorative sense) is considered a subjective term, used as an [[ad hominem]] attack against groups with simply differing doctrines or practices, and without a clear or consistent definition. | Usage of the word has been controversial. One reason is that the word "cult" (as used in the pejorative sense) is considered a subjective term, used as an [[ad hominem]] attack against groups with simply differing doctrines or practices, and without a clear or consistent definition. | ||
| - | + | ==Etymology== | |
| The word originally denoted a system of [[Cult (religious practice)|ritual practices]]. The word was first used in the early 17th century denoting homage paid to a divinity and borrowed via the French ''culte'' from [[Latin]] ''cultus'' "worship", from the adjective ''cultus'' "inhabited, cultivated, worshipped", derived from the verb ''[[colere]]'' "care, cultivate." | The word originally denoted a system of [[Cult (religious practice)|ritual practices]]. The word was first used in the early 17th century denoting homage paid to a divinity and borrowed via the French ''culte'' from [[Latin]] ''cultus'' "worship", from the adjective ''cultus'' "inhabited, cultivated, worshipped", derived from the verb ''[[colere]]'' "care, cultivate." | ||
| ==See also== | ==See also== | ||
| *[[Cults and new religious movements in literature and popular culture]] | *[[Cults and new religious movements in literature and popular culture]] | ||
| + | **[[Cargo cult]] | ||
| *[[Cult of personality]] | *[[Cult of personality]] | ||
| *[[Cult following]] | *[[Cult following]] | ||
| **[[Cult fiction]] | **[[Cult fiction]] | ||
| **[[Cult film]] | **[[Cult film]] | ||
| + | *[[Fetish]] | ||
| {{GFDL}} | {{GFDL}} | ||
Current revision
Illustration: Triumph of Christianity (detail) by Tommaso Laureti (1530-1602.)
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"The difference between a cult or a sect and a religion, is size, a small number of followers vs. a multitude."--Sholem Stein "Certain cultural artifacts and their makers enjoy a cult following: there is cult fiction, there are cult films and there is underground music." --Sholem Stein |
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In modern English, a cult is a social group that is defined by its unusual religious, spiritual, or philosophical beliefs, or by its submission to a particular personality, object, or goal. This sense of the term is controversial, having divergent definitions both in popular culture and academia, and has also been an ongoing source of contention among scholars across several fields of study. The word "cult" is usually considered pejorative.
An older sense of the word cult involves a set of religious devotional practices that are conventional within their culture, are related to a particular figure, and are often associated with a particular place. References to the "cult" of a particular Catholic saint, or the imperial cult of ancient Rome, for example, use this sense of the word.
While the literal and original sense of the word remains in use in the English language, a derived sense of "excessive devotion" arose in the 19th century.
Beginning in the 1930s, cults became the object of sociological study in the context of the study of religious behavior. Since the 1940s the Christian countercult movement has opposed some sects and new religious movements, labeling them "cults" because of their unorthodox beliefs. Since the 1970s, the secular anti-cult movement has opposed certain groups, and in reaction to acts of violence which have been committed by some of their members, it has frequently charged them with practicing mind control. Scholars and the media have disputed some of the claims and actions of anti-cult movements, leading to further public controversy.
Sociological classifications of religious movements may identify a cult as a social group with socially deviant or novel beliefs and practices, although this is often unclear. Other researchers present a less-organized picture of cults, saying that they arise spontaneously around novel beliefs and practices. Groups labelled as "cults" range in size from local groups with a few followers to international organizations with millions of adherents.
Connotation
The word cult in current popular usage is a pejorative term for a new religious movement or other group whose beliefs or practices are considered abnormal or bizarre by the larger society.
Usage of the word has been controversial. One reason is that the word "cult" (as used in the pejorative sense) is considered a subjective term, used as an ad hominem attack against groups with simply differing doctrines or practices, and without a clear or consistent definition.
Etymology
The word originally denoted a system of ritual practices. The word was first used in the early 17th century denoting homage paid to a divinity and borrowed via the French culte from Latin cultus "worship", from the adjective cultus "inhabited, cultivated, worshipped", derived from the verb colere "care, cultivate."
See also
- Cults and new religious movements in literature and popular culture
- Cult of personality
- Cult following
- Fetish
