In answer to the question, there is absolutely no way of knowing how many different cults exist in the world as many are either unknown or practised in secrecy. However, there are many different types of cults that have been formed around various ideologies. There have been cults based on religion, philosophy, politics and even the practise of maintaining horses (Singer, 1992). The question is how many DIFFERENT cults are there in the world. The accepted psychological definition of a cults is a leader or organisation that dominates and dictates an individuals decision making process, usually be professing to have either discovered or been told an ancient wisdom for a better life, by a supreme deity, that is only known to them.
The person who replied has chosen to focus on one particular African faith that they clearly have no knowledge of. They provide us with the typically biased stereotypical answer, about the faith of Vodun. Based on this I can only assume their knowledge of this faith is based on the many movies that seem to take delight in portraying it as evil. The faith of Vodun is absolutely NOT a satanic cult, It is an ancient African faith that was initially brought to the colonised countries of north and south America, by the Africans that had been enslaved, which they were forcefully deprived of under quite brutal and savage regimes. As it was illegal to retain any aspect of their own spirituality, within these colonised societies, the Africans chose to secretly practice their faith, by using the Christian deities (saints and angels) as a substitute for the African deities, as they realised the similarity of energies for both sets of deities. I know enough about my own cultural heritage to provide this basic description of Vodun.
Ref – Singer, M.T. (1992) Cults in Our Midst. New York: Wiley
It is difficult to provide an exact number as the definition of a "cult" can vary, but there are thousands of cults around the world that follow various beliefs and practices. Some well-known examples include the Branch Davidians, Heaven's Gate, and the Peoples Temple.
Hope this answers it!! Should be thousands..........
When we hear the word "cult," we often think of a group that worships Satan, sacrifices animals, or takes part in evil, bizarre, and pagan rituals. However, in reality, most cults appear much more innocent. The specific Christian definition of a cult is "a religious group that denies one or more of the fundamentals of biblical truth." In simpler terms, a cult is a group that teaches something that will cause a person to remain unsaved if he/she believes it. As distinct from a religion, a cult is a group that claims to be part of the religion, yet denies essential truth(s) of that religion. A Christian cult is a group that denies one or more of the fundamental truths of Christianity, while still claiming to be Christian.
All religions have fringe groups that could be considered cults.
hundreds
It is difficult to provide an exact number as cults come in different forms and sizes. Estimates vary widely, but there are likely thousands of cults operating around the world, each with their own beliefs, practices, and number of followers.
Cults themselves are not illegal, but certain activities or practices that cults engage in may be illegal, such as fraud, abuse, or manipulation. Authorities may intervene if cults are found to be engaging in criminal behavior or violating laws.
Cults have existed for centuries, with notable examples dating back to ancient civilizations. The modern concept of cults began to emerge in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, becoming more prevalent in the 1960s and 1970s with the rise of new religious movements and charismatic leaders.
Cults typically manipulate and control their members through deceptive practices, isolation, mind control techniques, and charismatic leaders to achieve power and influence over them. They often aim to exploit their followers for financial gain, to satisfy the leader's ego, or to fulfill a particular agenda. Cults create a sense of belonging and purpose for their members while imposing strict control over every aspect of their lives.
During the Mughal period, India saw the flourishing of various religious systems and cults. The Mughal rulers themselves were known for their tolerance towards different religions, which led to the coexistence and growth of Hinduism, Islam, Sikhism, and Sufism. Many Sufi saints and mystics gained prominence during this time, promoting a message of love and unity among different faiths. Additionally, the patronage of the Mughal emperors towards art and architecture led to the construction of magnificent religious structures, showcasing the diverse religious landscape of the period.
Cults of Unreason has 257 pages.
Recovery from Cults has 432 pages.
Cults in Our Midst has 374 pages.
Many different voodoo cults flourish all over the world, and none of them are the same. Each of them have their own rituals and beliefs. The main places that voodoo is practiced are in west Africa, Haiti, And Louisiana.
Christians
Cthulhu's Dark Cults has 256 pages.
i beg to differ
There are many different cults around. They generally don't have to recruit (unless they are into more sinister cults and looking for a victim) and it's the individual that feels they are missing something in their lives and actually wants to belong to a cult to feel the need of belonging and being considered important in that group. Cults can promise you many things ... money, power, etc. If it sounds too good to be true is generally is. Marcy
Nameless Cults - story collection - has 353 pages.
Of course there are cults in Canada. There are cults anywhere!
religious cults have put christians in danger many times so they want to destroy it perhaps now.
Hundreds. Literally, hundreds.