Let's have sex, for God's sake!

by Evie Jeffreys, Isabella Rolfe

A popular image of a sex cult leader is one of a sleazy, unattractive but charismatic man who somehow entices followers to believe his obscure reasons for why they should join his cult, and sleep with him.

Or, a deluded, peace-asserting hippy who believes that sex will open everyone’s third eye or other such coxen claims.

Although free love and sex cults are often tied to the ‘60s, the concept dates much further back.

The Ancient Greeks and Romans created cults dedicated to a god or goddess that would often lead to sexual rituals or organised prostitution.

The Romans had temples dedicated to the goddess Venus, who some interpreted to be the goddess of prostitutes.

It is believed that sex rituals were performed in the temples as a form of worship.

Cult mentality

These days, there is a multitude of cults and they are widely considered controversial, perhaps due to the cult mentality popularised in the 60s.

The decade’s generation developed obsessions with rock stars, and the music scene led the free love movement.

Charles Manson, mainly remembered for instigating murders using followers from the Family, also encouraged open sex among them and conducted prostitution.

Jim Jones, leader of the People’s Temple cult and orchestrator of the Jonestown massacre, was reported to have forced his followers to have sex with him – which they would because they saw him as a ‘supreme being’.

Another cult founded in the ‘60s, which still exists, is The Family International, formerly known as Children of God.

It is a cult whose reputation is defined by reports of sex, child abuse and religious prostitution.

Some blame the overwhelming dedication cult members show for their leaders, which often leads to sex or sexual attraction, on Stockholm syndrome.

That is, thinking of cult recruitment more as kidnapping and brainwashing, than a voluntary decision.

The syndrome – originating from a bank robbery in Norrmalmstorg, Stockholm in 1973 where the bank personnel developed feelings for the robbers holding them hostages for six consecutive days – is a term for the strong bond kidnap victims can develop with their captor, not only siding with but also sometimes falling in love with that person.

Communities

Established religions and religious communities can and have been surrounded by stigma over sexual corruption.

Religious laws and beliefs can be interpreted, no matter how tenuously, to mean different things and faith can prevent questioning or doubt.

Small orthodox communities are seemingly at more risk in terms of sexual corruption or exploitation.

If generations of the same families have grown up in a closed society with only like-minded others it is hard to know what is "acceptable".

The rejection of, or independence from the outside world isolates them and minimizes the risk of confrontation with diverse beliefs.

The danger of crimes – sex-related or otherwise– being committed, especially as the police are rarely involved, is theoretically high.

A small Mennonite (a branch of Christianity) community in Bolivia recently experienced a torrent of drug-assisted rapes.

A small group of men from the community allegedly used a narcotic to subdue victims and their families at night in order to rape girls and women.

The first accusations cast were dismissed, but eventually the community had to take action and even involved the police, finding it too overwhelming to deal with internally.

Though the Mennonite religion is respected as deriving from one of the oldest peace churches, it was still susceptible to a type of sexual corruption.

In 2006 a cult in Darlington, Co Durham was uncovered which used women as submissive ‘slaves’, basing their views on the series of erotic science fiction novels The Chronicles of Gor.

Police could not intervene as most members were taking part willingly and it was not a criminal group.

More recently, in 2009, a sex cult in Papua New Guinea who claimed that banana produce would multiply if residents had public sex with them - this cult however was was targeted by the police.

‘Niche’ religions?

Religion can be something that you are born into.

An example being a person from a Muslim family would likely have parents who gradually introduce them to certain rules that they must adhere to until they are old enough to decide for themselves whether they want to follow these rules.

If you are Muslim, it is forbidden to follow any other religions.

However that is not the case with Kabbalah.

As more celebrities pictured with the red string bracelet appear in magazines, more people are turning to the 13th century tradition of Kabbalah – which doesn’t require you to leave your religious path.

Madonna, Demi Moore, Ashton Kutcher and Britney Spears are said to be advocates of these beliefs.

Last year Demi Moore told Vogue that the religion helps one to realise “the value of your worth.”

Kabbalah is an ancient wisdom that reveals the secrets of how the universe works and where we fit into that structure as a human being.

It is a spiritual religion, focusing on how to receive fulfillment in our lives.

The Kabbalah centre has over 50 locations worldwide where people come together to learn about the beliefs of this 4,000 year-old spiritual movement, which is rooted in Jewish mysticism.

Similar to Kabbalah, Scientology is associated with the origin and nature of the universe.

American author L. Ron Hubbard was the first man to establish the Scientology religion in 1954.

The Church of Scientology has previously been described as a cruel and vindictive cult that calls itself a religion.

It practises a variety of mind-controlling techniques on people who accept its rules, convincing believers to continue to pay a large sum for the counselling fees, as it will make them into a better person.

The main focus of Scientology is supposedly the human spirit ­– its recovery and rehabilitation.

Beliefs revolve around aliens called thetans, which are reborn in new bodies through a process called “assumption” – which is similar to reincarnation.

Scientologists believe the evil alien ruler Xenu blew up aliens from around the universe, but think their souls can sometimes attach themselves to people and that is why some become mentally and physically ill.

One of the most famous Scientologists is Tom Cruise, who first became involved with the cult in 1990.

He later went on to believe that the religion helped him to overcome his dyslexia because of the "special powers" it gave him.

Not only has he been involved with many campaigns promoting the religion and introducing people to its beliefs, he has also pushed for Scientology to be recognised as an actual religion in Europe.

Another very spiritual religion similar to Kabbalah and Scientology, is Voodooism.

This is a set of magical beliefs and practices, which is followed in many parts of Africa, South America and the West Indies.

In the West we often associate Voodooism with a doll, where pins are inserted to ensure that bad luck is brought to that person.

Followers of Voodooism believe that everything happens for a reason.

Voodoo ceremonies contain prayers, dancing and rituals.

Animal sacrifices are common within this religion to give importance to the ceremonies.

While religion can dictate the way a person thinks and behaves, peace and good-will should always be at the forefront when practising religion.

However, this has not always been the case, and many wars have started because of religion.

These provide compelling evidence of the role religion has played, and continues to play, in the history of the world.