Editing Anti-cult movement (section)

== Concept ==
The anti-cult movement is conceptualized as a collection of individuals and groups, whether formally organized or not, who oppose some "new religious movements" (or "[[cult]]s"). This [[countermovement]] has reportedly recruited participants from family members of "cultists," former group members (or [[apostates]]), religious groups (including [[Judaism|Jewish]] and Christian groups)<ref>Shoshanah Feher. "Maintaining the Faith: The Jewish Anti-Cult and Counter-Missionary Movement." In ''Anti-Cult Movements in Cross-Cultural Perspective'', edited by Shupe and Bromley, 33–48. New York: Garland, 1994.</ref> and associations of health professionals.<ref>[[Anson D. Shupe|Anson Shupe]] and [[David G. Bromley]]. "The Modern Anti-Cult Movement in North America." In ''Anti-Cult Movements in Cross-Cultural Perspective'', edited by Shupe and Bromley, 3–31. New York: Garland, 1994. p. 3.</ref><ref>[[Eileen Barker]]. "The Scientific Study of Religion? You Must Be Joking!" ''[[Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion]]'' 34, no. 3 (1995): 287–310, p. 297.</ref> Although there is a trend towards globalization,<ref>Shupe, Anson and David G. Bromley. 1994. "Introduction," pp. vii–xi in Anson Shupe and David G. Bromley, eds., ''Anti-Cult Movements in Cross-Cultural Perspective'', New York, NY: Garland, p. x.</ref> the social and organizational bases vary significantly from country to country according to the social and political [[opportunity structure]]s in each place.<ref>{{Cite book |first1=James T |last1=Richardson |author1-link=James T. Richardson |first2=Barend |last2=van Driel |title=Anti-Cult Movements in Cross-Cultural Perspective |chapter=New Religious Movements in Europe: Developments and Reactions (Shupe and Bromley) |pages=129–170,137ff |year=1994 |publisher=Garland |isbn=0815314280}}</ref>

As with many subjects in the [[social science]]s, the movement is variously defined. A significant minority opinion suggests that analysis should treat the secular anti-cult movement separately from the religiously motivated (mainly [[Christians|Christian]]) groups.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Cowan|first=Douglas E.|date=2002|title=Exits and Migrations: Foregrounding the Christian Counter-Cult|url=https://doi.org/10.1080/1353790022000008271|journal=[[Journal of Contemporary Religion]]|volume=17|issue=3|pages=339–354 |doi=10.1080/1353790022000008271 |s2cid=145477103 |issn=1353-7903|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230627194340/https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/epdf/10.1080/1353790022000008271|archive-date=27 June 2023|url-status=live|url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20060827231058/http://religiousmovements.lib.virginia.edu/cultsect/anticounter.htm "Cult Group Controversies: Conceptualizing 'Anti-Cult' and 'Counter-Cult."] The Religious Movements Page. Religious Movements Page. Last Modified 26 November 2000. [https://web.archive.org/web/20060827231058/http://religiousmovements.lib.virginia.edu/cultsect/anticounter.htm Archived] 27 August 2006 at the [[Wayback Machine]].</ref>

The anti-cult movement might be divided into four classes:

# secular counter-cult groups;
# Christian [[Evangelicalism|evangelical]] counter-cult groups;
# groups formed to counter a specific cult; and
# organizations that offer some form of [[exit counseling]].<ref name=":0">George D. Chryssides. ''Exploring New Religions.'' London and New York: Cassell, 1999. 349–351.</ref>

Most if not all of the groups involved express the view that there are potentially deleterious effects associated with some new religious movements.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Possamaï|first1=Adam|last2=Lee|first2=Murray|date=2004|title=New religious movements and the fear of crime|url=https://doi.org/10.1080/1353790042000266354|journal=[[Journal of Contemporary Religion]]|volume=19|issue=3|pages=337–352|doi=10.1080/1353790042000266354|s2cid=144906772 |issn=1353-7903|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220618132646/https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/1353790042000266354|archive-date=18 June 2022|url-status=live|url-access=subscription}}</ref>
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=== Religious and secular critics ===

Commentators differentiate two main types of opposition to "cults":
* religious opposition: related to [[theology|theological]] issues.
* secular opposition: related to emotional, social, financial, and economic consequences of cult involvement, where "cult" can refer to a religious or to a secular group.

=== Hadden's taxonomy of the anti-cult movement ===

[[Jeffrey K. Hadden]] sees four distinct classes of opposition to "cults":<ref>[[Jeffrey K. Hadden]]. "SOC 257: New Religious Movements Lectures: The Anti-Cult Movement." Course Lecture. University of Virginia, Department of Sociology. 1997.</ref>
# '''Opposition grounded on religion'''
#* Opposition usually defined in theological terms.
#* Cults considered heretical.
#* Endeavors to expose the heresy and correct the beliefs of those who have strayed from a truth.
#* Prefers [[metaphor]]s of deception rather than possession.
#* Serves two important functions:
#** protects members (especially youth) from heresy, and
#** increases solidarity among the faithful.
# '''Secular opposition'''
#* Regards individual autonomy as the manifest goal – achieved by getting people out of groups that use [[Brainwashing|mind control]] and deceptive proselytization.
#* Regards the struggle as an issue of control rather than theology.
#* Organizes around families of children currently or previously involved in a cult.
#* Has the unannounced goal of disabling or destroying new religious movements organizationally.
# '''Apostates'''
#* Former members who consider themselves egregiously wronged by a cult, often with the coordination and encouragement of anti-cult groups.
# '''Entrepreneurial opposition'''
#* A few "[[entrepreneur]]s" who have made careers of organizing opposition groups.
#* Broadcasters, journalists, and lawyers who base a reputation or career on anti-cult activities.