Causes of Cultism

The following are the causes of cultism in our societyThe term society is derived from the Latin word 'socius' meaning friendship or companionship. Society is a community, nation or group of people who share the same traditions, institutions, rules and... More;

1. Influence from Parents/Guardians:

Parents and Guardians influence a child’s life negatively or positively. Sometimes the adults in a child’s life do not have the time to raise them, give them good advice, discipline them or show them a good example of how to behave. These factors can cause a child to make bad decisions in life. Sometimes, the parents and guardians are cult members and pressure their children or wards to join.

2. Negative Peer Group Influence:

Peers can pressure each other to join cults. This pressure can come from individuals or groups. When a child or person is a member of a particular cult, they may entice and pressure friends to join their cult. Students are promised protection from other students, success in their exams and a “celebrity” status around campus in the institution.

This is done to make cult membership attractive to the students who want easy, fake and quick respect and power.

3. Personal Grievances:

Some students or people join cults for the opportunity to do something wicked or be in a position of power over someone they feel has wronged them. They need or want to punish a person or group for their own personal reasons.

4. Increased Social Status:

Students join cults to increase their social status and become more popular. Some students want to be associated with other popular students or groups on campus. Knowing or unknowingly, they join cults because they crave power, acceptance, popularity and fame.

5. Societal Issues:

Corruption, economic hardship, poverty and a lack of employment/job opportunities create an environment where individuals seek alternative means to achieve financial security and social status, potentially leading to cult involvement. 

6. Negative Personal Traits:

Sometimes, people are born with a natural predisposition towards sadism, violence or a desire for power and control. These factors can contribute to such people being involved in cults and cult activities. 

7. Exposure to Negative Media:

Media content showing violence and crime-related activities can desensitize people to negative behaviours and normalize cult activities.