ANTH 1000 Lecture Notes - Lecture 23: Émile Durkheim, Origin Myth, Sky Father
12 Nov 2018
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Document Summary
Anthropologists do not make judgements about the value, rationality, sophistication of different religion systems. Looking at religions comparatively is not meant to be done to rank some as better than others. All ways of life are valid and sustainable. Cult is typically used to explain something that you believe has a negative connotation to it. Cult is mostly used to be insulting, so anthropologists choose not to use the word. There is an early 19th century was to use the word, talking about overall ritual practice in religion. Many new religions in the united states were considered cults. Today, a lot of people refer to mormon churches as cults. Are there abusive practices for initiates and members of the group. A cult is not a useful concept for anthropologists, because it is a negative value judgement. A kind of explanation that focuses on what the institution does for people and for society as a whole.
