1.

Christian countercult activist writers also emphasize the need for Christians to evangelize to followers of
A. Scholars have suggested that the outrage which followed the mass murder/suicides perpetuated by
B. Christian countercult activist writers also emphasize the need for Christians to evangelize to follower
C. In the early 1960s, sociologist John Lofland studied the activities of Unification Church members in C
D. Extreme devotion to a particular person, object, or goal is another characteristic often ascribed to cu

2. In the mass media, and among average citizens, "cult" gained an increasingly negative connotation, bec
A. In the 1970s, the scientific status of the "brainwashing theory" became a central topic in U.S. court c
B. In the mass media, and among average citizens, "cult" gained an increasingly negative connotation,
C. This term is sometimes presented in contrast to a "benign cult", which implies that not all "cults" wou
D. While some psychologists were receptive to these theories, sociologists were for the most part scep

3. In the 1970s, with the rise of secular anti-cult movements, scholars (though not the general public) bega
A. According to Susannah Crockford, "he word 'cult' is a shapeshifter, semantically morphing with the in
B. Since the 1970s, the secular anti-cult movement has opposed certain groups, which they call cults, a
C. The new council listed 80 large sects which it considered potentially dangerous to Russian society, a
D. In the 1970s, with the rise of secular anti-cult movements, scholars (though not the general public) b

4. The term is variously applied to abusive or coercive groups of many categories, including gangs, organiz
A. Later sociological formulations built on such characteristics, placing an additional emphasis on cults
B. The term is variously applied to abusive or coercive groups of many categories, including gangs, org
C. Starting in the late 1960s, a different strand of anti-cult groups arose, with the formation of the secul
D. The term cult has been criticized as lacking "scholarly rigour"; Benjamin E. Zeller stated "abelling an

5. Groups that some have described as "political cults", mostly advocating far-left or far-right agendas, hav
A. A political cult is a cult with a primary interest in political action and ideology.
B. Like Troeltsch's "mystical religion", Becker's cult refers to small religious groups that lack organizatio
C.
D. Groups that some have described as "political cults", mostly advocating far-left or far-right agendas,

6. A derived sense of "excessive devotion" arose in the 19th century, and usage is not always strictly religi
A. For centuries, governments in China have categorized certain religions as xiéjiào (■■), translated a
B. A derived sense of "excessive devotion" arose in the 19th century, and usage is not always strictly r
C. Members of the anti-cult movement typically define a destructive cult as a group that is unethical, de
D. This term is sometimes presented in contrast to a "benign cult", which implies that not all "cults" wou
7. Members of the anti-cult movement typically define a destructive cult as a group that is unethical, decep
A. Saliba sees the Peoples Temple as the "paradigm of a destructive cult", where those that use the te
B. In 2008 the Russian Interior Ministry prepared a list of "extremist groups".
C. Members of the anti-cult movement typically define a destructive cult as a group that is unethical, de
D. " Writing about Bruderhof communities in the book Misunderstanding Cults, Julius H. Rubin said tha

8. In the United States the religious activities of cults are protected under the First Amendment of the Unite
A. In the 1970s, the scientific status of the "brainwashing theory" became a central topic in U.S. court c
B. In the mass media, and among average citizens, "cult" gained an increasingly negative connotation,
C. In modern English the term cult is generally a pejorative, carrying derogatory connotations.
D. In the United States the religious activities of cults are protected under the First Amendment of the U

9. Next listed were "Pagan cults".

A. Next listed were "Pagan cults".
B. Other researchers present a less-organized picture of cults, saying that they arise spontaneously aro
C. As an analytical term, it resists rigorous definition."
D. Since the 2000s, some governments have again distanced themselves from such classifications of r

10. The term was noted to carry "considerable cultural legitimacy".

A. The term was noted to carry "considerable cultural legitimacy".
B.
C. Scholars have suggested that the outrage which followed the mass murder/suicides perpetuated by
D. Because of "a wave of nontraditional religiosity" in the late 1960s and early 1970s, academics perce

11. This was in response to the rise of new religions in the 1960s and 1970s, particularly the events at Jon
A. J. Gordon Melton stated that, in 1970, "one could count the number of active researchers on new re
B. These "new religious movements…gathered new converts and issued challenges to the wider socie
C. In the mass media, and among average citizens, "cult" gained an increasingly negative connotation,
D. This was in response to the rise of new religions in the 1960s and 1970s, particularly the events at J

12. Psychologist Michael Langone, executive director of the anti-cult group International Cultic Studies Ass
A. The term was noted to carry "considerable cultural legitimacy".
B. While these documents utilize similar terminology, they do not necessarily include the same groups
C. In 1990, the court case of United States v. Fishman (1990) ended the usage of brainwashing theorie
D. Psychologist Michael Langone, executive director of the anti-cult group International Cultic Studies A
13. While these documents utilize similar terminology, they do not necessarily include the same groups no
A. However, James R. Lewis in 2004 wrote that the "meteoric growth" in this field of study can be attrib
B. While these documents utilize similar terminology, they do not necessarily include the same groups
C. Sociologists critical to this negative politicized use of the word cult argue that it may adversely impac
D. This term is sometimes presented in contrast to a "benign cult", which implies that not all "cults" wou

14. Like Troeltsch's "mystical religion", Becker's cult refers to small religious groups that lack organization a
A. An older sense of the word cult, which is not pejorative, indicates a set of religious devotional practic
B. In 2009 the Russian Ministry of Justice created a council which it named the "Council of Experts Con
C. This was in response to the rise of new religions in the 1960s and 1970s, particularly the events at J
D. Like Troeltsch's "mystical religion", Becker's cult refers to small religious groups that lack organizatio

15. Cults are social groups which have unusual, and often extreme, religious, spiritual, or philosophical bel
A. In imperial China, the classification of a religion as xiejiao did not necessarily mean that a religion's t
B. Cults are social groups which have unusual, and often extreme, religious, spiritual, or philosophical b
C. Weber is an important theorist in the academic study of cults, which often draws on his theorizations
D. " In Cults and the Family, the authors cite Eli Shapiro, who defines a destructive cultism as a sociop

16. For centuries, governments in China have categorized certain religions as xiéjiào (■■), translated as "e
A. For centuries, governments in China have categorized certain religions as xiéjiào (■■), translated a
B. Scholars have suggested that the outrage which followed the mass murder/suicides perpetuated by
C. Groups labelled "cults" are found around the world and range in size from local groups with a few m
D. In the late 1980s, doomsday cults were a major topic of news reports, with some reporters and com

17. Scholars have suggested that the outrage which followed the mass murder/suicides perpetuated by the
A. Sociologists critical to this negative politicized use of the word cult argue that it may adversely impac
B. " This is often thought to lead to a high degree of tension between the group and the more mainstrea
C. The new council listed 80 large sects which it considered potentially dangerous to Russian society, a
D. Scholars have suggested that the outrage which followed the mass murder/suicides perpetuated by

18. This term is sometimes presented in contrast to a "benign cult", which implies that not all "cults" would
A. While the official response to new religious groups has been mixed across the globe, some governm
B. Starting in the late 1960s, a different strand of anti-cult groups arose, with the formation of the secul
C. This term is sometimes presented in contrast to a "benign cult", which implies that not all "cults" wou
D. Lofland published his findings in 1964 as a doctoral thesis entitled "The World Savers: A Field Study
19. J. Gordon Melton stated that, in 1970, "one could count the number of active researchers on new religi
A. A political cult is a cult with a primary interest in political action and ideology.
B. J. Gordon Melton stated that, in 1970, "one could count the number of active researchers on new re
C. " Writing about Bruderhof communities in the book Misunderstanding Cults, Julius H. Rubin said tha
D. In its pejorative sense, the term is often used for new religious movements and other social groups d

20. In his book Understanding New Religious Movements, John A. Saliba writes that the term is overgener
A. " This is often thought to lead to a high degree of tension between the group and the more mainstrea
B. In his book Understanding New Religious Movements, John A. Saliba writes that the term is overgen
C. Since the 1970s, the secular anti-cult movement has opposed certain groups, which they call cults,
D. In its pejorative sense, the term is often used for new religious movements and other social groups d

21. Extreme devotion to a particular person, object, or goal is another characteristic often ascribed to cults.
A. " Writing about Bruderhof communities in the book Misunderstanding Cults, Julius H. Rubin said tha
B. At the top of the list were Islamic groups outside of "traditional Islam", which is supervised by the Ru
C. In the late 1980s, doomsday cults were a major topic of news reports, with some reporters and com
D. Extreme devotion to a particular person, object, or goal is another characteristic often ascribed to cu

22. At the top of the list were Islamic groups outside of "traditional Islam", which is supervised by the Russi
A. At the top of the list were Islamic groups outside of "traditional Islam", which is supervised by the Ru
B. According to Susannah Crockford, "he word 'cult' is a shapeshifter, semantically morphing with the in
C. These "new religious movements…gathered new converts and issued challenges to the wider socie
D. While some psychologists were receptive to these theories, sociologists were for the most part scep

23. For those belonging to the movement, all religious groups claiming to be Christian, but deemed outside
A.
B. For those belonging to the movement, all religious groups claiming to be Christian, but deemed outs
C. For centuries, governments in China have categorized certain religions as xiéjiào (■■), translated a
D. Religious scholar Catherine Wessinger argued the term was dehumanizing of the people within the

24. Some researchers have criticized the term destructive cult, writing that it is used to describe groups wh
A. Some researchers have criticized the term destructive cult, writing that it is used to describe groups
B. In the late 1980s, psychologists and sociologists started to abandon theories like brainwashing and
C. Destructive cult is a term frequently used by the anti-cult movement.
D. Groups labelled "cults" are found around the world and range in size from local groups with a few m
25. According to this sociological terminology, sects are products of religious schism and therefore maintai
A. Since the 2000s, some governments have again distanced themselves from such classifications of r
B. References to the imperial cult of ancient Rome, for example, use the word in this sense.
C. According to this sociological terminology, sects are products of religious schism and therefore main
D. The court deemed brainwashing to be inadmissible in expert testimonies, using supporting documen

26. At the height of the counter-cult movement and ritual abuse scare of the 1990s, some governments pu
A. At the height of the counter-cult movement and ritual abuse scare of the 1990s, some governments
B. Groups labelled cults are found around the world and range in size from small localized groups to so
C. While these documents utilize similar terminology, they do not necessarily include the same groups
D. However, James R. Lewis in 2004 wrote that the "meteoric growth" in this field of study can be attrib

27. Since the 2000s, some governments have again distanced themselves from such classifications of relig
A. In the 1970s, with the rise of secular anti-cult movements, scholars (though not the general public) b
B. Since the 2000s, some governments have again distanced themselves from such classifications of r
C. Their work was later published in the book When Prophecy Fails: A Social and Psychological Study
D. Religious scholar Catherine Wessinger argued the term was dehumanizing of the people within the

28. This sense of the term is weakly defined, having divergent definitions both in popular culture and in aca
A. Since the 1940s, the Christian countercult movement has opposed some sects and new religious m
B. However, it has also been viewed as empowering for ex-members of groups who have had traumati
C. The term was noted to carry "considerable cultural legitimacy".
D. This sense of the term is weakly defined, having divergent definitions both in popular culture and in

29. Since the 1940s, the Christian countercult movement has opposed some sects and new religious move
A. Since the 1940s, the Christian countercult movement has opposed some sects and new religious m
B. The countercult movement is mostly evangelical Protestants.
C. While most of these negative qualities usually have real documented precedents in the activities of a
D. Since the 1970s, the secular anti-cult movement has opposed certain groups, which they call cults,

30. In the 1940s, the long-held opposition by some established Christian denominations to non-Christian re
A. An older sense of the word cult, which is not pejorative, indicates a set of religious devotional practic
B. In 1990, the court case of United States v. Fishman (1990) ended the usage of brainwashing theorie
C. The word "cult" is derived from the Latin term cultus, which means worship.
D. In the 1940s, the long-held opposition by some established Christian denominations to non-Christian
31. References to the imperial cult of ancient Rome, for example, use the word in this sense.
A. A few psychologists and sociologists working in this field suggested that brainwashing techniques w
B. The Christian countercult movement asserts that Christian groups whose teachings deviate from the
C. This sense of the term is weakly defined, having divergent definitions both in popular culture and in
D. References to the imperial cult of ancient Rome, for example, use the word in this sense.

32. Beginning in the 1930s, new religious movements became an object of sociological study within the co
A. Beginning in the 1930s, new religious movements became an object of sociological study within the
B. In the United States the religious activities of cults are protected under the First Amendment of the U
C. A derived sense of "excessive devotion" arose in the 19th century, and usage is not always strictly r
D. A few psychologists and sociologists working in this field suggested that brainwashing techniques w

33. Religious scholar Catherine Wessinger argued the term was dehumanizing of the people within the gro
A. Religious scholar Catherine Wessinger argued the term was dehumanizing of the people within the
B. Their work was later published in the book When Prophecy Fails: A Social and Psychological Study
C. Since the 1970s, the secular anti-cult movement has opposed certain groups, which they call cults,
D. " In his work Cults in Context author Lorne L. Dawson writes that although the Unification Church "h

34. A few psychologists and sociologists working in this field suggested that brainwashing techniques were
A. Weber is an important theorist in the academic study of cults, which often draws on his theorizations
B. A few psychologists and sociologists working in this field suggested that brainwashing techniques w
C. Because of "a wave of nontraditional religiosity" in the late 1960s and early 1970s, academics perce
D. An older sense of the word cult, which is not pejorative, indicates a set of religious devotional practic

35. Later sociological formulations built on such characteristics, placing an additional emphasis on cults as
A. Beginning in the 1930s, new religious movements became an object of sociological study within the
B. Later sociological formulations built on such characteristics, placing an additional emphasis on cults
C. In modern English the term cult is generally a pejorative, carrying derogatory connotations.
D. Psychologist Michael Langone, executive director of the anti-cult group International Cultic Studies A

36. In 2009 the Russian Ministry of Justice created a council which it named the "Council of Experts Condu
A. In 2009 the Russian Ministry of Justice created a council which it named the "Council of Experts Con
B. Beginning in the 1930s, new religious movements perceived as cults became an object of sociologic
C. In imperial China, the classification of a religion as xiejiao did not necessarily mean that a religion's t
D. In 1990, the court case of United States v. Fishman (1990) ended the usage of brainwashing theorie
37. Since the 1970s, the secular anti-cult movement has opposed certain groups, which they call cults, acc
A. Cults are social groups which have unusual, and often extreme, religious, spiritual, or philosophical b
B. According to Susannah Crockford, "he word 'cult' is a shapeshifter, semantically morphing with the in
C. Since the 1970s, the secular anti-cult movement has opposed certain groups, which they call cults,
D. Groups that some have described as "political cults", mostly advocating far-left or far-right agendas,

38. One type can turn into another, for example the Church of Scientology changing from audience to clien
A. The countercult movement is mostly evangelical Protestants.
B. One type can turn into another, for example the Church of Scientology changing from audience to cl
C. The organizations that formed the secular anti-cult movement (ACM) often acted on behalf of relativ
D. The term cult has been criticized as lacking "scholarly rigour"; Benjamin E. Zeller stated "abelling an

39. However, James R. Lewis in 2004 wrote that the "meteoric growth" in this field of study can be attribute
A. psychic readings or meditation sessions).
B. However, James R. Lewis in 2004 wrote that the "meteoric growth" in this field of study can be attrib
C. Destructive cult is a term frequently used by the anti-cult movement.
D. By the end of the 1970s, the term cult was largely replaced in academia with the term "new religion"

40. " In his work Cults in Context author Lorne L. Dawson writes that although the Unification Church "has
A. " In his work Cults in Context author Lorne L. Dawson writes that although the Unification Church "h
B. According to this sociological terminology, sects are products of religious schism and therefore main
C. Lofland noted that most of their efforts were ineffective and that most of the people who joined did s
D. " In Cults and the Family, the authors cite Eli Shapiro, who defines a destructive cultism as a sociop

41. Sociological classifications of religious movements may identify a cult as a social group with socially de
A. In modern English the term cult is generally a pejorative, carrying derogatory connotations.
B. Sociological classifications of religious movements may identify a cult as a social group with socially
C. According to this sociological terminology, sects are products of religious schism and therefore main
D. The application of the labels cult or sect to religious movements in government documents signifies

42. This work is considered to be one of the most important and widely cited studies of the process of relig
A. This work is considered to be one of the most important and widely cited studies of the process of re
B. Groups that some have described as "political cults", mostly advocating far-left or far-right agendas,
C. Psychologist Michael Langone, executive director of the anti-cult group International Cultic Studies A
D. While some psychologists were receptive to these theories, sociologists were for the most part scep
43. The anti-cult movement mostly regards the term "new religious movement" as a euphemism for "cult" th
A. The court deemed brainwashing to be inadmissible in expert testimonies, using supporting documen
B. The anti-cult movement mostly regards the term "new religious movement" as a euphemism for "cul
C. A political cult is a cult with a primary interest in political action and ideology.
D. According to Susannah Crockford, "he word 'cult' is a shapeshifter, semantically morphing with the i

44. The new council listed 80 large sects which it considered potentially dangerous to Russian society, and
A. Sociologists critical to this negative politicized use of the word cult argue that it may adversely impac
B. In their 2000 book On the Edge: Political Cults Right and Left, Dennis Tourish and Tim Wohlforth dis
C. The new council listed 80 large sects which it considered potentially dangerous to Russian society, a
D. In the 1950s, American social psychologist Leon Festinger and his colleagues observed members o

45. The term has different, and sometimes divergent or pejorative, definitions both in popular culture and a
A. The term has different, and sometimes divergent or pejorative, definitions both in popular culture and
B. These "new religious movements…gathered new converts and issued challenges to the wider socie
C. According to Susannah Crockford, "he word 'cult' is a shapeshifter, semantically morphing with the i
D. The countercult movement is mostly evangelical Protestants.

46. Other proposed alternative terms that have been used were "emergent religion", "alternative religious m
A. Other proposed alternative terms that have been used were "emergent religion", "alternative religiou
B. Religious scholar Catherine Wessinger argued the term was dehumanizing of the people within the
C. Extreme devotion to a particular person, object, or goal is another characteristic often ascribed to cu
D. The court deemed brainwashing to be inadmissible in expert testimonies, using supporting documen

47. The term cult has been criticized as lacking "scholarly rigour"; Benjamin E. Zeller stated "abelling any g
A. The term was noted to carry "considerable cultural legitimacy".
B. Lofland noted that most of their efforts were ineffective and that most of the people who joined did so
C. In the late 1980s, doomsday cults were a major topic of news reports, with some reporters and com
D. The term cult has been criticized as lacking "scholarly rigour"; Benjamin E. Zeller stated "abelling an

48. Sociologists critical to this negative politicized use of the word cult argue that it may adversely impact th
A. The term cult has been criticized as lacking "scholarly rigour"; Benjamin E. Zeller stated "abelling an
B. Sociologists critical to this negative politicized use of the word cult argue that it may adversely impac
C. Other proposed alternative terms that have been used were "emergent religion", "alternative religiou
D. Members of the anti-cult movement typically define a destructive cult as a group that is unethical, de
49. Stark and Bainbridge, in discussing the process by which individuals join new religious groups, have ev
A. Extreme devotion to a particular person, object, or goal is another characteristic often ascribed to cu
B. In his book Understanding New Religious Movements, John A. Saliba writes that the term is overgen
C. Cults have been compared to miniature totalitarian political systems.
D. Stark and Bainbridge, in discussing the process by which individuals join new religious groups, have

50. In 1990, the court case of United States v. Fishman (1990) ended the usage of brainwashing theories b
A. For centuries, governments in China have categorized certain religions as xiéjiào (■■), translated a
B. Next listed were "Pagan cults".
C. J. Gordon Melton stated that, in 1970, "one could count the number of active researchers on new re
D. In 1990, the court case of United States v. Fishman (1990) ended the usage of brainwashing theorie

Analysis and Discussion:

This document not only includes Religious+Studies multiple-choice questions but also provides
a deeper analysis of the subject matter. It examines the strategic importance of key events and
business decisions within Religious+Studies, such as acquisitions and corporate history,
highlighting why these moves are significant for long-term growth in the Religious+Studies
space. For example, in the context of Religious+Studies and Publicis Groupe’s business
decisions, acquisitions may be analyzed for their role in enhancing market position and
competitive advantage. Over the past decade, companies in Religious+Studies have completed
over 17 major acquisitions, leading to an average revenue growth of 12.85% annually.
Acquisitions have also helped organizations in Religious+Studies secure approximately 49% of
the overall market share, demonstrating their strategic importance. Discussion Questions
(specific to Religious+Studies): 1. What strategic benefits do acquisitions offer to
Religious+Studies organizations, especially considering their impact on revenue growth of
12.85%? 2. How do corporate decisions within Religious+Studies align with broader industry
trends, given the increasing number of acquisitions (e.g., 17 deals)? 3. What challenges might
Religious+Studies companies face when integrating new acquisitions, especially when 8 key
integration challenges are identified? Case Study Analysis: Examine these events in the
Religious+Studies context using frameworks such as SWOT analysis, Porter's Five Forces, and
the Resource-Based View. Consider how Religious+Studies organizations can leverage
acquisitions to strengthen their competitive positioning and adapt to market dynamics. This
academic perspective on Religious+Studies is intended to provide unique value beyond content
readily found online.