A13: Cults, Then and Now, Yours and Mine! - 3 units
Frank MacHovec                  
Mon. 11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m. - Oct. 6, 13, 20             
Meadows Presbyterian Church, Limit: 30

Frank MacHovec retired in 1995 after 35 years as a psychologist in clinics, hospitals and private practice. He currently is teaching psychology at Piedmont Virginia Community College. The course is based on his book Cults and Personality (Thomas) and numerous journal articles.

News media often use provocative terms referring to cults, yet the root word is cultus, meaning to cultivate. Today’s cults can become tomorrow’s mainstream religions. It has been so throughout history. Many belief systems, religious and political, began in small cult-like groups, as have “personality cults” (fan derives from fanatic). So, cults can be positive and progressive or negative and destructive.

Session 1 provides a foundation by exploring ancient mystery cults. Session 2 provides insight into cult-like groups in modern history. Session 3 applies those insights to today’s cult-like groups.