KÜLT OLUŞUMLARIN YAPI VE FONKSİYON AÇILARINDAN ANALİZİ
ANALYSIS OF CULT FORMATIONS IN TERMS OF STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION

Summary/Abstract: One of the important topics in the discipline of Sociology of Religion is cult structures. A cult structure is one that is led by a charismatic leader. In such a structure, there is absolute obedience to the leader. It is not possible to question or criticize the leader. The leader attributes their charisma to divine qualities. For example, the leader claims to possess certain qualities that make them different from or superior to other people, and that these qualities were given to them directly by God. Consequently, individuals with such claims of divine connection start to gather a following around them based on these perceived qualities. The structure, which typically begins with a small group, can later expand to reach larger masses. In these structures, where followers believe their leader acts directly under the guidance of God, it is impossible for dissenting opinions or understandings to develop. For this reason, cult structures can be seen as highly insular, resistant to change, and even regarding change as heresy. It is certain that such structures will bring about various problems for society. Although they may not be taken seriously initially because they are limited to a small group, as they grow and reach more people, they turn into structures that need to be examined seriously. This is because, to put it simply, when the laws of a country conflict with the words of the cult leader, the likely response of the followers is somewhat predictable. In this sense, some countries monitor such structures with very strict regulations. This study can be described as noteworthy due to its attention to such an important social phenomenon. A qualitative method has been adopted in the study. Document analysis was used as the data collection technique. The data obtained were analyzed using an interpretative/explanatory approach.

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