Many researchers prefer to use the term new religious movements instead of cults as that term has garnered a negative correlation, especially in the media. The negative correlation of the term cult tends to lead to a dehumanization of the movement and the individuals involved. 

Albion College

This movement describes the creation of "new religions" with either completely modern origins, or older origins with enough changes to make it a distinct new religion rather than a denomination. These religions are by definitions not dominant religions in society.

New Religious Movement

The term's meaning changed during the 1970s and 80s, a period known as the “cult scare.” During that period many people used the term cult indiscriminately to discredit their religious views. This caused a negative connotation to be related to the term as well as any group that was then labeled a cult. A new term was then needed. New Religious Movements became one such term.

Evolution of the term Cult

Dawson, Lorne. “New Religious Movements.” The Blackwell Companion to the Study of
Religion, Blackwell, 2006, pp. 369–84.


New Religious Movements

- Jehovah's Witnesses
- Satanism 
- Scientology
- The Peoples Temple

Learn Before

Related