What is a cult?

Question

I have a few things that I would like answered. First.. define cult.
Why is mormonism a cult? find the definition first.
It is said that the LDS church (along with other religions as well) is because people's lifes are controlled or dictated. Which is not right.
Isn't religion voluntary? especially in this country?
If someone doesn't like living in the United States... they move right? we have laws in this nation but we are not opressed. we are free to make our own decisions. Isn't that the same with religion? Why is mormonism different?

Please no arguments about doctrine.
I know about the church. Mormons don't worship the devil and force others to do it. lol.

In fact, another one of my questions was, Has anybody visited thee 2002 Winter Games in Salt Lake city Utah? what was your experience with the people there? I am sure that some mormons tried to convert alot of the visitors.... there are people in every religion that are zealous like that.. but aside

ooh ooh.. if you use brainwashing which is a valid argument.. explain the process of brainwashing cuz i'd like to hear it. Not valid unless you do...

And if anybody wants to bash.. email me here [e-mail]. come on it'll be fun. civilized of course. like a debate. haha.

Answer 1

Cult: a religion regarded as unorthodox or spurious (dictionary)

Cult is a cohesive group of people (often a relatively small and recently founded religious movement) devoted to beliefs or practices that the surrounding culture or society considers to be far outside the mainstream. (Wikipedia)

Cult is not just about Satan worship or Pagan belief. In fact, the two are not necessarily cults at all.

Mormonism cannot be a cult. It is a mainstream religion, highly iviolved in its membership. It ma have started as one, when it as ne. Small religious group, new ideas than what was before practiced. But now, it is common practice, ever growing, and wide spread. It no longer fits the definition of a "cult".

Religion is voluntary. People are LETTING their lives be dictated in many religions. They choose to join, they choose to stay. Mormons ill not kill you if you leave the church, so it is not quite a "dictatorship".

Mormonism is not diffrent. You can leave the church. You can do it just like a Baptist can leave theirs, or a Cathiloc can leave theirs. You stop going, you stop practicing, end of story. I know this FOR A FACT because my dad is a former Mormon. His ENTIRE family is mormon, and many have left the faith, and some are still practicing. I myself have been sealed in the Mormon temple, yet have not ever been one, so they are free to leave when they so choose. Those that do not, CHOOSE to stay behind. Again, not a force, not a dictatorship..

I live in a large Mormon community. I have encountered many of them who try to convert me. I used to tell the my Grandfather was a Deacon, and theyd leave me alone when I said his name. Everyone knew him, so I had no problems. Now, though, it doesn't stop them.

The fact is they are very family orientied, always wanting to help out others, dedicated to their religion, and have a passion about it. Good for them! If it wasnt for the core belief in the book of Mormon, I might consider being one :)

Answer 2

What is a cult? Merriam Webster dictionary definition:

Main Entry: cult
Function: noun
Pronunciation: 'k<
Usage: often attributive
Etymology: French & Latin; French culte, from Latin cultus care, adoration, from colere to cultivate -- more at WHEEL
1 : formal religious veneration : WORSHIP
2 : a system of religious beliefs and ritual ; also : its body of adherents
3 : a religion regarded as unorthodox or spurious ; also : its body of adherents
4 : a system for the cure of disease based on dogma set forth by its promulgator
5 a : great devotion to a person, idea, object, movement, or work (as a film or book) ; especially : such devotion regarded as a literary or intellectual fad b : a usually small group of people characterized by such devotion

ACCORING TO THIS DEFINITION, sadly, EVERY RELIGION IS A "CULT".

But as far as what is commonly referred to as a cult, I believe it means an organization that brainwashes its members into a particular type of worship, but that the ultimate goal is really just to sustain (usually through large donations, etc) the leadership. Also it can refer to the type of brainwashing that involves complete self-sacrifice, once again, only for the good of others (like the local leaders) etc. Like Jim Jones, etc.

I am a Muslim. I do not consider Mormons to be part of a cult, although I am sure there are some Mormons somewhere operating as a cult, in which brainwashing, through peer pressure forcing a person to give up everything they own to an organization, exist.

I don't consider sincere religious devotion to a unified cause, to be a cult in and of itself.

A cult doesn't really exist because anyone is forced to become a part of it; they are PRESSURED and/or lied to, in an unethical way, and once again, it is ultimately for some corrupt goal of a leader who may himself be sincere but sincerely blinded with some kind of God-like complex or simply be a complete fraud.

Of course, in a cult, some may be forced to stay once they join, simply by not having the means to escape some compound that is locked up.

So, although I disagree with the doctrine of Mormonism, I don't see how it is a brainwashing cult, although I have heard a few stories of people concerned about how over-zealous SOME Mormons can be, I don't think over-zealous is always an indicator of a brainwashing cult.

Answer 3

All religions that branch off from the original are by definition cults, this includes xianity not just Mormons but ALL Christians that broke away from Judaism. Every sect is equally as much as a cult don't know why you would point out Mormons except that you've probably heard 'cult' misused a lot by the media. They often use the word derogatory and wrongly as if it is some evil group of people that is misguided and sacrifices animals and all misguided such as the Manson family, wako and Jamestown.
for different definitions of the word look it up... Although xianity is now mainstream and not thought of as a cult because it grew in numbers it started off as a cult just like any other et every sect of it that has branched off of it including catholics were at one time a cult. Wish people would stop misusing language so much to cause such misunderstanding. Just like the word 'hacker' does NOT mean someone that illegally breaks into things. The correct term is 'Cracker'. A hacker is just a computer geek nothing more, or at least that was it's original meaning before media et the ignorant have misused it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cult

Answer 4

mormonism is not a cult, it is a religion.
definition of cult from the dictionary:
Etymology: French & Latin; French culte, from Latin cultus care, adoration, from colere to cultivate -- more at WHEEL
1 : formal religious veneration : WORSHIP
2 : a system of religious beliefs and ritual; also : its body of adherents
3 : a religion regarded as unorthodox or spurious; also : its body of adherents
4 : a system for the cure of disease based on dogma set forth by its promulgator
5 a : great devotion to a person, idea, object, movement, or work (as a film or book); especially : such devotion regarded as a literary or intellectual fad b : a usually small group of people characterized by such devotion
although many people believe it to be tied to the wiccan religion, or as you may know it witchcraft, a cult is basically a group of people gathering together to praise a higher power.
I am a non political religionist, so I have no view on if cults are good or bad.
and I have not been to salt lake so I wouldn't know. but I bet the people and atmosphere is like any other place on earth, some friendly, some not.

Answer 5

I sure am glad that you all know so much about us Mormons! I, for instance, did not know that we created our own Bible. We have the Book of Mormon which is actually ANOTHER testament of Jesus Christ (we also use the Bible along with it). There are over 12 million members of our worldwide church, so we are not some little nothing church. AskDon: Thank you so much for telling me that I worship Joseph Smith and not God! To think, I thought I had been praying to God for all these years! RossJ: Jesus IS the Son of God NOT just another man - nice try.

Again, to reiterate what I said in answer to another question, we DO NOT practice polygyny anymore and have not since 1890. Polygamists broke off from the Mormon church and are not associated with us anymore. I would also like to know who said I am not equal with any man in the church - that's news to me! And as for the whole being punished because of the color your skin thing: I was never taught that in all the years that I have been a member.

Basically, whoever has informed all of you about these false beliefs that you have of us you should probably educate them on what we actually DO believe!

Answer 6

When you're taught an all present sky being created everything in 6 days, made man from dust, and woman from mans rib, and that woman was tempted by a damn talking snake and ate off a magical tree that pissed off that sky being so this God sent them out into the real world where they had to pay taxes and was in the presence of a red skinned, horned, pitchfork wielding demon that was also this sky beings creation, and then there was a flood and some other crap, then because the world was full of sin, which the sky daddy didn't like, he created himself in human form, got a virgin pregnant(which seems very unlikely) gave birth to the son of God, he lived told some crap, did some magic, died on cross, CAME BACK alive after three days, and is apparently still supposed to come back and take us up to heaven before the end of days. 80% of America will agree with what I just said, or are supposed to because they consider themselves a follower of that cosmic zombie called Jesus. Don't get me started on the other beliefs, all religions are cults.

Answer 7

I think Mormons get the cult term because lots of them believe
1. It's ok to have multiples wives
2. Women should be treated as unequal- below the man.
3. If you are not white- that mean God is punishing you. Some moron believe that black and people with dark skin are born that color to warn them because they are evil or where evil in a past life.

Now not all Mormons believe this stuff but you basically have a made up religion (come on we all know it's made up) that teaches predigest and immoral not to mention illegal things.

Answer 8

The word cult comes the latin "cultus" which means to worship. So, all religions are cults.

A cult is also defined in part by teaching a false doctrine or religion. For the faithful in one religion, lets say LDS, Catholicism is a cult. For the Catholics, LDS is a cult. So in essence, what defines a false doctrine or religion is simply a matter of perspective.

-SD-

Answer 9

A CULT is basicly when people are brainwashed in to believeing and often worshipping the leader or head teacher rather than THE GOD. Roman C., Mormonism, Mohamed ? , Mary White, Joseph Smith and others.

Answer 10

Any religion that teaches something contrary to the inspired Word of God is a cult. Mormonism had the nerve as others have to even create their own bible because they reject the original one written some 2000 years ago.