sfully) with their environment" (p. 17). By relation, psychotherapy involves the utilization of psychology to enable people to deal with their psychological problems. Regardless of the differences in their therapeutic techniques and theoretical approaches, psychotherapists essentially perform the following four functions: a) provide support and affirmation; b) alleviate the clients' level of distress; c) promote the adaptive capacity of their clients; and d) promote insight into their clients' problems (Jones & Butman, 1991). A close comparison of these four functions of psychotherapy with the appeal of cults as described by Zimbardo (1997) will reveal that cults, when recruiting new members, often offer similar promises of psychological well-being. The cults' initial appeal to recruits is evidenced in their provision of support and affirmation through a caring and supportive family, a safe and stable environment with clearly delineated roles and opportunities for gaining insight and understanding of life and the universe. Most significantly, both psychotherapy and cults address the deep-seated drives and desires of human beings, the vulnerabilities of the human psyche and the human quest for meaning in life (Lifton, 1989). Yet, it is important to point out that cults are ultimately characterized by their excessive adherence to leaders, ideologies or objects, as well as their use of unethical and manipulative techniques to achieve objectives at the expense of their cult members, families and the general society (Singer & Addis, 1992).
Moreover, as will be discussed in the later parts of this paper, cults utilize science and myths to validate their ideas, theories and perspectives in order to bolster their relevance to contemporary society. Thus, these two concepts are also defined here. Science involves the testing of objective data that are gathered and analyzed systematically. Theoretical explanations and laws are formulat...