Introduction
Cultism has become a big problem in the present-day world, with so many cult groups rising and affecting the social lives of the people in various regions in negative ways. Cultism is mainly the organized influence of people by a group of people who have an aim to cause damage to different kinds, or rather their main aim is to have control over a society or community. There is an increased number of social and religious cults in the present day, and thus the lives of the people are facing a more significant risk today than never before. The effects of these cults and their negative actions are so many ranging from death, increased dropout of students from schools to be recruited into the cult groups, increased number of thugs in the societies, robbery, and theft increase. All these negative results of cults have led to unsolved problems in the lives of the people, and the way of the people's living has been affected. This paper aims to propose and discuss the various techniques which can be used to curb the problem of cultism.
Cultism and How to Control and Resist It
Before discussing the possible solutions or rather measures which can be put in place to resist the effect and influence of cults in the societies today, it is crucial to understand the various reasons which may have led to the rising of the cult groups so that it will be easy to come with the necessary solutions to control and resist them. The cult is known to be caused by several factors, and all these are related to the lives of the people in particular areas (Russell, 2011). Some of the main reasons as to why cultism has been to increase over time are; low self-esteem which makes the individual in cultism find a way of feeling important in the society, poverty as one strives to achieve financial stability, the need for protection, others want to become wealthy thus they offer to join cultism groups, loneliness, drug abuse which is common among the youths. Besides, emotional instability is also among the main cause of cult groups in today's societies. Others get into cultism because they want to acquire power and social identity or recognition, poor parental training of the children, peer groups/peer pressure influence, others seek ways of revenge to certain groups or individuals, and lastly, politicians use cult groups in campaigns and elections for their benefit.
With all the above causes of cultism among the people in different societies, then it is easy to create the best measures or rather techniques that will help deal with and control the destructive cults. Some of the measures related to social psychology perspective which can be used to deal with the issue of cultism in a case where there is a new cult group arrived in the city are discussed below;
Holding of Public Campaigns Against Cultism
Noting that most of the people involved in cultism are school-going children from all levels of education, there is a need to have seminars, workshops, lectures, talks, and campaigns to talk to these youths and make them aware of all the dangers which are associated with the practice of cultism. These workshops or campaigns should be organized in religious environments, schools, and even at home by the parents and special people, especially psychologists who have a wide range of ideas about the psychological problems facing the youths should be invited during these campaigns (Asch, 1955). The role that will be played by such people during these campaigns will be important to create awareness among these youths on how their lives are going to be affected when they choose to get recruited into cult groups. Some of the things which the students should be told include are that cultism most of the time leads to death and other bad effects on people's lives. In the religious backgrounds, the students can be informed that according to the religious beliefs and practices, cultism is a violation of the laws of God, and thus it is a vice which should be stopped.
The parents back at home with their children have got the greatest responsibility to help in the control of cultism. They should inform their children on the techniques which are used by cults to recruit youths to the various cult groups and how they end up being misused, and later their lives being destroyed. Moreover, they should discourage their children from taking drugs and associating with peers who are into bad vices so that they don't end up being influenced by them to join cult groups (Russell, 2011). This way, they will have made them aware of the negativity associated with cultism; thus, when the cult group in the city approaches these youths, they will always recall what the parents have been telling them about cultism thus they will avoid falling into the techniques and traps of the cultists.
Discipline Both at Home and Schools
Disciplining children both at home and in schools is a very important thing as far as resisting the influence of a new cult group in the city is concerned. The parents should make sure that their children obey them and do what is right as per the societal expectations. Any irresponsible violation of the guidelines given and involvement in unnecessary practices should be treated as indiscipline, and serious harsh measures of correction are taken on them (Asch, 1955). Students found in school engaging themselves in cult groups should be punished and warned against such things.
The Application of the Law
The government is aware of the new cult group and the kinds of effects that are likely to be caused by these cult groups. It is, therefore, the responsibility of the government through the law enforcement agencies to make sure that the cult group is done away with. In the first place, it may decide to warn the new cult group to stop its practices, and if the cult continues, then the government can take the law measures to face these cults (Asch, 1955). For example, the participants of the cult group can be arrested, judged in a court of law, and then the necessary form of punishment be imposed on them to make sure that they don't carry out such a practice again. This applies even to the politicians who use cults during their campaigns and elections either to insight the people or cause a commotion.
Education and Creation of Awareness to the Community
When a new cult group arrives in the city, the public should be educated about the dangers which are posed by these cults. This should be done through campaigns, rallies, and social gatherings with informed persons being given a chance to speak to the public about the impacts of the cult groups and the tricks which they use to lure people into the cult groups. For example, the public needs to be informed about the behavior, language, and other actions of the cult groups so that they will easily identify them and avoid associating with them (Russell, 2011). Psychologists have the greatest role to play in informing the public about this cult group and helping prevent the effect of the cult among the people.
Creation of Job Opportunities and Fighting Drug Abuse
Drug abuse and lack of jobs among most youths are what lead them to cult groups, and thus job opportunities can be created to help keep them engaged and busy at all times. They will thus have no time to involve themselves in the illegal actions of cultism. They will have the financial stability they need to survive and live their lives well instead of being involved in the cultism groups for them to get money or just because they have nothing else to do (Asch, 1955). The use and abuse of drugs as the other major causal reason for cultism should be fought and stopped through all the possible ways. Those who are found abusing drugs should be arrested and dealt with according to the law with correction measures being put in place where necessary. Also, the public can be informed about the dangers of abusing drugs and how this is related to cultism. Through this, a change will be fostered among the youths and the public generally and help to contain the impact of cultism.
Conclusion
Cult groups have continued to increase, and the current statistics show that the increase is not likely going to stop. The most important thing is to make sure that all the measures which can be used to control it are strictly applied and followed. Every person has to protect themselves from being influenced by cult groups for any reason, and this is possible by being informed and informing others about the impending dangers of the cult groups. Having the public aware and informed about the new cult groups in the city remains a key responsibility of the government and its various agencies which are associated with such roles. Non-governmental organizations can also help in the creation of awareness among the people and help fight and resist the ill actions and influence of the cult groups.
Application of all the discussed measures will play a vital role as far as dealing with the new cult group in the city and resisting it is concerned. The demands of the destructive cult will thus be dealt with and managed effectively and avoid them from affecting the societal people. Significant changes that will be witnessed due to the reduction of cultism demand compliance will be a significant decrease in social crimes like robbery and theft. As a result of this, the lives of the people will be protected and made better with time.
References
Russell, N. (2011). Milgram's obedience to authority experiments: Origins and early evolution. British Journal Of Social Psychology, 50(1), 140-162. doi: 10.1348/014466610x492205
Asch, S. (1955). Opinions and Social Pressure. Scientific American, 193(5), 31-35. doi: 10.1038/scientificamerican1155-31
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