Even though we make fun of Wikipedia, and even though any serious scientific piece shouldn't cite Wikipedia, fact remains that the community-created and maintained encyclopaedia has turned into an impressive database of knowledge. Even though I don't think you should trust it blindly, it's usually an excellent starting point for information, especially when used in a casual setting. Still, its open nature is also a threat to Wikipedia, this week exemplified by the Wikipedia Arbitration Committee banning Scientology from editing Wikipedia pages.
To view parent comment, click here.
To read all comments associated with this story, please click here.
Member since:1997-10-01
I think that one of the main hallmarks of what separates a cult out from other religions is whether the organization encourages its members to disassociate themselves from their non-member friends and family.
Also, cults generally require that their members perform acts or sacrifices that are intended primarily to enhance group cohesion and "prove" loyalty. (though this is also a common practice in the armed forces and in sports teams, but not in most religions)
Many cults place a huge priority on non-disclosure of secret doctrine. (and this isn't just for keeping the truth about scandals quiet - every organization wants to keep its scandals under wraps)
Some major religions have cultish aspects or cultish affiliated groups, and some cults eventually grow up and become less culty religions. There's kind of a middle ground.
I think Scientology pretty clearly deserves the cult designation, though.
Member since:2005-07-08
Member since:
2006-01-10
Not quite sure what was said about the Mormons, but yeah, for the most part you can't walk into their temples without being a member (paying your 10 percent straight off the top, or tithe).
I mostly wanted to state that while people call Scientology a cult, they don't realize that the ONLY difference between a 'cult' and a 'religion' is the amount of people in it.
Though I'd also like to add that I don't belong to any cults, religions or any sort of social club for that matter. I don't even like having to get membership cards for grocery stores (why the hell did they start that anyhow? So they can send more spam to your physical mailbox?)
Good on Wikipedia, though I think for them to be truly neutral, they should ban the IPs that are owned by all the cults from around the world.