Cult behaviours in New Religious Movements (with a focus on Rastafarianism,

Mormonism, and The Church of Jesus Christ (The Latter-Day Saints)).

Section 3 – Develop and Realise:
New Religious Movements (NRMs) are often created as a response to social, cultural, and
spiritual needs that mainstream religions (such as Christianity, Islam, Hinduism etc) may not
address. These movements can promote community and offer alternative spiritual paths for
followers, but they can also display behaviours typically associated with cults. A cult is
described as a “system or group of people who practice excessive devotion to a figure, object,
or belief system”. And cult behaviours include charismatic leadership, strict control over
members, exclusivity, and a strong “us-versus-them” mentality. This essay will explore these
behaviours in the following three NRMs: Rastafarianism, Mormonism, and The Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). By looking in more depth at their historical
contexts, organisational structures, and community practices, you can understand greater the
subtle ways in which these movements might be perceived as exhibiting cult-like behaviours.
Rastafarianism originated in the 1930s in Jamaica, inspired by the coronation of Emperor
Haile Selassie I of Ethiopia. Rastafarians regard Selassie as a divine figure, the returned
messiah who will lead people of African descent to a promised land. This movement emerged
as a response to the oppression and racial injustices faced by Black people in the Caribbean
and elsewhere. The movement’s early leaders, such as Leonard Howell, played a very
important role in shaping its principles and practices. Howell’s charm and revolutionary ideas
drew in many followers, establishing a firm foundation for the Rastafarian faith.
Rastafarianism promotes and reinforces a lifestyle that includes the rejection of Western
materialism (e.g. consumer culture), dietary laws (eg the Ital diet – “the avoidance of food
which is chemically modified or contains artificial additives like food colouring, artificial
flavourings, and preservatives”) and distinctive cultural practices like the wearing of
dreadlocks. This creates a strong sense of community and identity among followers but also
sets them apart from mainstream society, reinforcing a sense of exclusivity. Rastafarians often
view the Western world (referred to as “Babylon”) as corrupt and oppressive. This
perspective fosters solidarity among members and a shared vision of spiritual and physical
liberation, contributing to an adversarial stance against the broader society.
Mormonism, formally known as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS
Church), was founded by Joseph Smith in the early 19th century in the United States, Smith
claimed to have received divine revelations and translated the Book of Mormon, a text he
described as an ancient record of God’s dealings with the inhabitants of the Americas. Joseph
Smith’s leadership was marked by his claims of prophetic authority and direct
communication with God. His charismatic leadership attracted a significant following, and
his successor, Brigham Young, continued to lead the community with strong, centralised
control. The LDS Church has a highly organised structure with a strong emphasis on
“obedience” to the church leaders and adherence to divine teachings. Practices such as temple
rituals, missionary work, and the Word of Wisdom (health code) contribute to a distinct
Mormon identity that separates members from non-members. The early Mormons faced
significant persecution, which reinforced a sense of isolation and a narrative of being a
“chosen people”. This historical context has contributed to a collective identity that
sometimes emphasises differences between Mormons and the broader society.

By Inez Seaby
Cult behaviours in New Religious Movements (with a focus on Rastafarianism,
Mormonism, and The Church of Jesus Christ (The Latter-Day Saints)).
The Church of Jesus Christ, also known as the Strangites, is a lesser-known branch that split
from the main LDS Church following Joseph Smith’s death. Led by James Strang, this group
also claims prophetic leadership and has distinct beliefs and practices. James Strang’s claim
to leadership was based on alleged divine revelations and the production of the Voree Plates,
which he asserted were ancient texts. Strang’s charismatic authority was crucial in gathering a
loyal following. Strangites adhere to specific divine ideals and practices that distinguish them
from mainstream LDS members and other religious groups. The group’s blinkered attitude
and the emphasis placed on Strang’s teachings foster a strong internal cohesion. Similar to the
other splinter groups, the Strangites developed an identity partly based on their separation
from the larger LDS Church and mainstream society. This separation was reinforced by their
unique theological claims and communal practices.
To conclude, upon further examination of Rastafarianism, Mormonism, and the Church of
Jesus Christ (The Latter-Day Saints) reveals both shared and unique elements of cult-like
behaviour within New Religious Movements. Charismatic leadership, control and exclusivity,
and an “us-versus-them” mentality are evident to varying degrees in each movement.
However, labelling these groups as “cults” without fully considering and understanding their
historical contexts, cultural contributions, and the genuine spiritual fulfilment they provide to
their followers would be reductive and unfair. NRMs often arise from genuine needs for
spiritual, cultural, or social change. While certain behaviours might be perceived as cult-like,
I believe it is important to approach these movements with a careful understanding.
Recognising their positive aspects alongside the potentially problematic behaviours allows
for a more balanced perspective, encouraging both critical analysis and respect for religious
diversity.

Section 2: Use Resources

- James T Richardson. “Definitions of Cult: From Sociological-Technical to Popular-
Negative.” Review of Religious Research, volume 34, number 4, 1993, pages 348-
356. I used this for my definition of cult behaviours.
- Eileen Barker. New Religious Movements: A Practical Introduction. HMSO, 1989. – I
used this for some general background on New Religious Movements (NRMs).
- Gordon J Melton. Encyclopedic Handbook of Cults in America. Garland Publishing,
1989. – I again used this for some general background on cults, and their
representation in America.

By Inez Seaby
 Cult behaviours in New Religious Movements (with a focus on Rastafarianism,
Mormonism, and The Church of Jesus Christ (The Latter-Day Saints)).
- Leonard E Barrett. The Rastafarians: Twentieth Anniversary Edition. Beacon Press,
1997. – I used this to gain further insight about Rastafarianism.
- Ennis B Edmonds. Rastafari: From Outcasts to Culture Bearers. Oxford University
Press, 2003. – I too used this to gain further insight about Rastafarianism.
- Barry Chevannes. Rastafari: Roots and Ideology. Syracuse University Press, 1994. – I
too used this to gain further insight about Rastafarianism.
- Richard L Bushman. Joseph Smith: Rough Stone Rolling. 2005. – I used this to help
gain understanding of Mormonism.
- Jan Shipps. Mormonism: The Story of a New Religious Tradition. University of
Illinois Press, 1985. – I used this to help gain understanding of Mormonism.
- Terryl L Givens. The Book of Mormon: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford University
Press, 2009. – I used this to help gain understanding of Mormonism.
- Fawn M Brodie. No Man Knows My History: The Life of Joseph Smith. 1945. – I
used this to help me find more about the Strangites.
- Michael D Quinn. The Mormon Hierarchy: Origins of Power. Signature Books, 1994.
– I used this to help me find more about the Strangites.
- Ronald W Walker. James Strang: The Prophet Who Failed. Journal of Mormon
History, volume 3, 1976 pages 53-68. – I used this to help me find more about the
Strangites.

Section 1: Plan

Lesson Summary Objective Citations: What I did in the lesson:

Number:
1 Introduction To understand my N/a - I thought about the definition
and Research chosen essay topic and characteristics of New
Planning and plan the Religious Movements
research strategy. (NRMs) and cult behaviours.
- I then chose my following key
NRMs: Rastafarianism,
Mormonism, and the Church
of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints (LDS Church) as case
studies.

By Inez Seaby
 Cult behaviours in New Religious Movements (with a focus on Rastafarianism,
Mormonism, and The Church of Jesus Christ (The Latter-Day Saints)).
- I then created a research plan
to gather information on
historical contexts,
organisational structures and
community practices of each
NRM.
- Finally, I selected initial books
and articles on NRMs and cult
behaviours for the next lesson,
and my homework for that
week.
2 Research on To gather detailed - Leonard E - I then read about the historical
Rastafarianism information on Barrett, The context and origin of
Rastafarianism Rastafarians: Rastafarianism in the 1930s,
twentieth focusing on the influence of
anniversary the founder – Emperor Haile
edition Selassie I.
- Ennis B - I then investigated the
Edmonds, leadership of Leonard Howell
Rastafari: and how his role influenced
From the movement.
Outcasts to - I then looked in depth at the
Culture community practices of the
Bearers religion- especially their
- Barry distinctive traits such as the
Chevannes, Ital diet and dreadlocks.
Rastafari: - Finally, I examined the
Roots and Rastafarian perspective on the
Ideology Western world (“Babylon”)
and how it fosters sense of
community and exclusivity.
3 Research on To gather detailed - Richard L - I reviewed the founding of
Mormonism information on Bushman, Mormonism by Joseph Smith
Mormonism Joseph Smith: in the early 19th century.
Rough Stone - I then furtherly investigated
Rolling Joseph Smith’s claims of
- Jan Shipps, prophetic authority and then
Mormonism: further, Brigham Young’s
The Story of leadership.
a New - I then analysed the
Religious hierarchical structure of the
Tradition LDS Church and its emphasis
- Terryl L. on obedience and spiritual
Givens, The adherence.
Book of - I then looked at their practices
Mormon: A such as temple rituals,
Very Short missionary work and the Word
Introduction. of Wisdom.
- I finally studied the historical
persecution of early Mormons

By Inez Seaby
 Cult behaviours in New Religious Movements (with a focus on Rastafarianism,
Mormonism, and The Church of Jesus Christ (The Latter-Day Saints)).
and its impact on their
collective identity.
4 Research on the To gather detailed - Fawn M - I firstly learned about the split
Church of Jesus information on the Brodie, No from the LDS Church after
Christ Strangites. Man Knows Joseph Smith’s death and the
(Strangites) My History: rise of James Strang.
The Life of - I then investigated Strang’s
Joseph Smith claim to prophetic leadership
- D Michael and the Voree Plates.
Quinn, The - I then studied the distinct
Mormon beliefs and practices that set
Hierarchy: Strangites apart from
Origins of mainstream LDS members.
Power - I finally analysed how
- Ronald W Strang’s teachings fostered a
Walker, strong internal cohesion and
“James separation from mainstream
Strang: The society.
Prophet Who
Failed,”
Journal of
Mormon
History.
5 Writing and To synthesise N/a - I firstly drafted the essay,
Citation research findings making sure I had a clear
completion into a coherent structure with an introduction,
essay and complete and paragraphs for each
citations, therefore NRM, and a conclusion.
finishing the - I then compiled a list of
project. citations for all sources used,
making sure I ha proper
academic referencing.
- I then reviewed my essay for
coherence, accuracy, and
“completeness”. And then
made edits.
- Finaly, I added additional
information needed for depth
and I finished the final draft.

By Inez Seaby
Cult behaviours in New Religious Movements (with a focus on Rastafarianism,
Mormonism, and The Church of Jesus Christ (The Latter-Day Saints)).

Section 4 - Review:
To reflect, I think my research, as evidenced by my citations from authoritative sources, went
well. This added to my essay because, it gave me a well-rounded understanding of NRMs
discussed. I also think that my structure of the essay went well as it was quite well-organised,
and I had each section focusing on a specific NRM, which made my analysis coherent and
easy to follow (at least to me). And finally, I think a benefit to my essay was the balanced
perspective in the essay, because it further allowed me to have a fair analysis, avoiding bias.
However, to improve my essay, I think I could have used more primary sources because that
would add depth and more authenticity to my analysis and could provide a deeper
understanding of the movements. And I could’ve also included more counterarguments and
criticisms of the essay’s perspective, which would’ve strengthened my overall analysis.

By Inez Seaby