Cults - and project that followed

[KiddoFreak]

Okay this is a script for the group project in school, it's pretty cool.

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Cultist/Teacher - Paul
Parent/Friend - Brian
Bill - Elijah

The scene begins with two teenagers and one teacher in the same room. The kids are sitting close together in desks.

Teacher: Okay, now before you go, please come and collect your tests. I've just graded them and overall I am impressed with how well you've done.

Both kids stand up - "friend" grabs his sheet and "Bill" goes to take his.

Teacher: Hey - Bill, I need to talk to you for a minute. Is something wrong? At home, maybe?

Bill: No, nothing out of the normal...

Teacher: Okay... but I know you can do better than this. Just keep working hard.
*Bill begins to leave*
You know you can talk to me if you're having problems, right?
Bill: Yeah...

Friend: Hey, why the long face? One bad test isnt going to hurt you that much. You've always gotten really high grades, this isn't really a big deal. Really.

Bill: I know, I know... *sigh* It's not only this. havn't been doing well in any of my classes lately. It just feels so... pointless.

Friend: Is everything okay with you? You don't sound like the Bill I know.

Bill: I'm fine! It's... it's just that my dad has been really busy with work lately, and... and ever since mom died... he used to be the one I could talk to about all my problems and everything, you know?

Friend: Yeah, my dad always listens to me - Hey, if you need someone to talk to, just come stay with my family for awhile, we're always willing to listen to a friend.

Bill: You aren't really related to your dad, are you? Like - by blood? Isn't that a little weird.

Friend: It used to feel that way, but after awhile he really starts to grow on you....
*Bill and "friend" leave*

Bill and "parent" are in this scene. Bill walks in to see his dad hunched over a stack of papers. Bill coughs to get his dad's attention once or twice.

Parent: What is it? Can't you see I'm busy?

Bill: It's just... I need to talk t-

Parent: *interrupting* Look, I'm really busy right now, and you're a big kid, you can handle your problems on your own, right? Sorry, kid, maybe later.

Bill: Yeah...sure

In this scene, "cultist" and Bill are standing facing each other, Bill looking down at his feet.

Bill: Uh... Is John here?

Cultist: John? Oh, yes- but he's with his brothers and sisters right now, I'm sure I can help you. What brings you here to our great family of God?

Bill: I... is it weird for me to want to talk about how I feel? I mean...

Cultist: Yes, we all communicate here. Please, come and join us in the Great Hall, my son.

Bill: Are you sure that's okay, I mean I'm not really a part of-

Cultist: All who come are a part of this family, all who choose to accept us shall be accepted in return. That is the whole reason we were brought together. So please, let us go and join with your brothers and sisters. There is something very important that I must tell them... you have joined us at a very opportune time.

The scene begins with "parent" pacing back and forth with a note in his hands.

Parent: What does he mean he's going to stay with John?! I never told him he could go out tonight! I swear, teenagers... it's like they never lis... listen. Wait, John? Wasn't he one of those kids that ran away from home? *noticing newspaper* Oh no... please don't tell me that's were Bill is headed... *running off and grabbing his jacket and keys*

Bill returns to his seat and "parent" should go out in the hall or in some unnoticeable place. "Cultist" should stand in front of the room with his arms spread out.

Cultist: Sons and Daughters in God... God has granted me a vision of prosperity! The Lord spoke to me and told me to repeat his words to his choosen children. Heed my words carefully: We have been choosen to move to the fertile lands in the wilderness and live a simple life of work and peace. We shall leave in the morning - so be prepared. You will not need any of your things from here, as I have already built a community home for us to live in where we can work by ourselves, we are a new family. We are-
*Parent storms into the room*

Parent: Bill! Bill where are you?!

Cultist: I'm sorry, but I'm going to have to ask you to leave...

Bill: I'm right here! But this is the last time you'll see me! I'm sick of you and I have a new family now!

Parent: Please... we can talk about this, just please, don't go with this man. We can work it out. I promise.

Bill: I... I don't know...

Parent: Bill, please, these people are not your family. We're a family! Please...

Bill: Yeah... yeah... you're right. But you have to promise to give me some of your time.

Parent: I promise!

Bill and "parent" begin to leave as the lights turn off....

[Azan]

Here is the report, its out of alignment due to the forums, and it still needs cites from the bib. but other than that...


Cults

Ever since there has been religion, a organization that is united in a belief of God there have been cults. Cults can be loosely defined as a system or community of religious worship and ritual, from this you could say that any major religion is a cult, but a more in depth definition would be a religious group that derives from a parent religion but denies one or more essential doctrines of that religion, and many of today’s major religions have started as cults and grown into a religion that is like its parent but completely separate, such as Christianity.
Many of the major reasons why cults are created, even today are things such as a change in beliefs, when a person following a religion might see some practices as impractical, or just plain stupid. An example of this would be Protestants breaking away from Catholicism, it follows Catholicism in many ways, but they are separate.
Cults have also been created not for a change in beliefs but lust for power, some people are mentally unstable and believe that they must create a cult so that they may live forever (just an example) or for financial gain, many people will pay a large amount of money to something they believe in. Cults can also seem like a beacon of light in a dark world, this is why persecution and hysteria can lead to cults being formed and prospering, people will often follow hope blindly.
There are several reasons why people join cults, today its mostly due to a bad social life, whether it be in school or family and friends, cults can make you feel good, most behave like a new family, joining a cult can make a person get rid of depression and even help them in school as these cults are very supportive (like a family) and although this may seem good (especially compared to cults that commit mass suicide) they are unhealthy as the person will not learn how to function in the world. Cults will entice people to join in other ways too, many will talk of the end of the world and that joining them will give them eternal life, they promise many false things.
There aren’t many cures for cults as what they do (usually) is perfectly legal and all members are there due to free will, and some cults can be good, but many are unhealthy so its up to the members to realize for themselves that the cult is lying to them and promising false hope. If a child is in a cult (which most cult members are as a child’s mind is much more accepting of lies) the best thing will be an intervention by friends or family, the main reason why the person probably joined in the first place is because they were having problems at home, so families need to show that they care about the person. (Much like handling a person with suicidal gestures). Sometimes a person can find out on their own that a cult is lying, which happens quite often.
Although many cults seem enticing and can even help your self esteem most are still unhealthy. Many cults are formed for power/financial gain, upon joining a cult you could be asked to donate money (some will even threaten eternal suffering to those who don’t pay) many people find themselves broke after joining cults. Probably one of the most common downsides of cults are a loss of interest in life and activities, people may get so connected to a cult that they no longer care about the real world. In the most severe cases the consequence will be death, if the cult leader is mentally unstable the cult could commit mass suicide, the most famous example of this would be The Peoples Temple, in 1978 the cult leader Jim Jones had his followers commit mass suicide, those who did not wish to kill themselves were murdered, 914 bodies were found.
Joining a cult does have its long-term effects, such as death (the mass suicide mentioned above). Mental problems and social ineptitude, cults can consume your life and afterwards you may have trouble talking to people, or even leaving your house.
Overall most cults aren’t going to commit mass suicide, or rob you of your money, but most are unhealthy.