Cults ความบ้�าคลั่�ง• Most religions begin as a cult, and

slowly become a “religion” as they get more respect from the world.

Are cults bad?

• Most cults are not harmful. They are peaceful and not dangerous

• But many people are afraid of cults, because a cult is usually new and different from normal.

Characteristics ค�ณลั่�กษณะ of Cults

• 1. A guru becomes worshipped   บ้�ชา instead of the ways of the religion

• 2. It tries to change peoples ways of thinking and brainwash ลั่�างความค�ด them.

• 3. They take people’s money and abuse themทรมาน sexually.

The Aum Shinrikyo sect is a Japanese cult based on Buddhism, Hinduism and Christianity.

The leader was Asahara Shoko.

He told people he was Christ reincarnated.

Levitation

Aum Shinrikyo members believed that levitation was possible by using meditation.

They are wearing masks of their leader’s face.

Tokyo Sarin Gas AttacksOn March 20, 1995 Aum Shinrikyo members released sarin gas on Tokyo subways.

13 people died and 50 were injured.

They wanted to cause an armageddon.

The last criminal from the Aum shinrikyo attack was arrested in Japan a few weeks ago.

Katsuya Takahashi

David Koresh and the Branch Davidians

David Koresh convinced people he was the second coming of Jesus.

Waco, TexasThe American government attacked the Branch Davidian community in 1993.

There was a gunfight and fire.

At least 85 people died.

Heaven’s Gate CultIn 1997, 39 cult members committed suicide.

They lived an ascetic life.

They wanted to go to a spaceship in a comet.

Group SuicideThey all killed themselves by drinking poison. They all had a purple cloth on their face and wore the same sneakers.

Jonestown

900 people died by drinking a poison sugar drink.

Diamond Mountain

Ian Thorson And Christie McNally

Living in a cave

Dehydration

Zen Master Rama