Defining a cult isn't always as easy as it seems. Whether we're talking about Waco, In-n-Out Burger, or your local dentist, there are questions that we can ask to get us closer to identifying a New Religious Movement. Josh leads us through a discussion of common misconceptions, the difference between a "cult of personality" and a true NRM, and some critical thinking exercises to help us assess groups from the inside and out.

Mentioned in the episode: 

• Max Weber on Churches and Sects in North America
• Wild Wild Country on Netflix
• The BITE Model
• Waco on Netflix
• The Rise of Network Christianity by Brad Christerson and Richard Flory
• Body Ritual Among the Nacirema

Follow the hosts on Twitter: 

• Josh: @joshlieuallen
• Emily: @RevRettinghouse
• Stephen: @stephenghenning

Join our Patreon at patreon.com/ravelpod for $3/mo to join the private Discord community! You can also connect with Ravel on Twitter and Instagram at @ravelpod, or shoot us an email at [email protected]. 

Thank you to Louie Zong for use of his song In Full Color, off his album, Here. Find his work on Spotify and Bandcamp!