Published: 2024-12-31

Twin Flames Universe: the virtual sect and the formation of a total institution

Natalia Brzezińska , Weronika Jaworska
Academic Journal of Sociology
Section: Próby i debiuty
https://doi.org/10.21697/ucs.2024.34.2.06

Abstract

Secularization and the progressive process of marketization of spirituality leads to the emergence of many new cults and sects. Such an example is the Twin Flames Universe (TFU) – an online community focusing on the belief system structured by its founders. This article will characterize the functioning of this example of a new religious movement, in relation to the features of Erving Goffman’s total institution. The gradual evolution of the sect and its similarity to a closed organization, despite the limitation of its activities to the Internet sphere, will be shown. The case study focuses on the description and analysis of the activities and processes taking place within the Twin Flames Universe. T he aim of the article is to answer the question whether it is possible to create a community with features identical to a total institution without meeting the criterion of physical proximity.

Keywords:

new spirituality, sect, total institution, religious movements on the internet, the Twin Flames Universe

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Citation rules

Brzezińska, N., & Jaworska, W. (2024). Twin Flames Universe: the virtual sect and the formation of a total institution. Academic Journal of Sociology, 34(2), 57–68. https://doi.org/10.21697/ucs.2024.34.2.06

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