Guest guest Posted November 23, 1998 Report Share Posted November 23, 1998 Hi What I posted on this was taken right from a sociological text book. It was taken from the work of Wallis, and so could represent his views rather than a sociological consensus. I do know that the impression I got from a different sociology textbook was totally different, leaving me with the impression that the terms were mostly merely indicative of size ( Cult being smaller). I'm aware that you have a Sociology Ph D, so I confess to being mystified somewhat by your response. I will check the reference for Wallis and give it if I remember. I hope Wallis is an adequate authority for me to cite, even if " non-standard " . If one takes the position that AA is a World-Affirming Sect, then it would also be considered a Cult by this system. I think what matters for our purposes is that we agree that AA is a religion. Whether it is a " cult " or " sect " in sociological terms is of less importance. however, these terms are very emotive for non-sociologists, which needs to be borne in mind when using them outside the realm of Social Science, especially with steppers. By denouncing AA as aa cult, we will likely alienate the uninformed unecessarily for apparently 'intemperate' language. Pete > Pete - We would probably be better off following convention in using terms like " cult " and " sect. " If you check your local library for an introductory text on the Sociology of Religion, or look at some of the articles in the professional journal by that name, you will find that " cult " and " sect " refer to two distinct concepts, and two distinct classes of phenomena. Not all experts use exactly the same definitions, but there is a rough conformity in the field. Cults tend to be organizationally diffuse, with ideologies that are more open-ended; sects tend to be organizationally more tightly ordered, and ideologically more carefully defined and rigid. Since there is an extensive literature on this topic, I won't take up board space with it. I will leave it to you to explore it at your leisure. Oh, and by the way, AA is a right-wing cult, organizationally, but it is one whose overall direction has always been guided by a powerful coterie of government and business leaders (not themselves members of AA, of > course, since they are most decidedly NOT powerless). And the ideology of AA has a definite slant: it is fascist. > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > Don't lose your email when you move, change jobs, or switch ISP's. > Click here to get free and permanent email from NET@DDRESS! > http://ads./click/154/0 > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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