Is religion a cult?

Question

Cult is something to follow and believe in, correct?

Answer 1

In religion and sociology, a 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. Its separate status may come about either due to its novel belief system, because of its idiosyncratic practices or because it opposes the interests of the mainstream culture. Other non-religious groups may also display cult-like characteristics.

In the English-speaking countries since about the 1960s, especially in North America, the term cult has taken on a pejorative and sometimes offensive connotation. This largely originated with highly publicized cults that purportedly exploited their members psychologically and financially, or that allegedly utilized group-based persuasion and conversion techniques. These techniques may include "brainwashing", "mind control" ("thought reform") and "love bombing", whose scientific validity, modern and historical use, and effectiveness (for religious conversion) are discussed within the linked articles.

Answer 2

The question doesn't make sense. Religion itself means "way of life". It's a concept and a social tool and thus cannot be called a cult.

Individual religions, however, are cults (for the most part). Christianity is a cult. Islam is a cult Buddhism is a cult, Seikhism is a cult Jain is a cult. These are all missionary religions which are centered around the teaching of an individual.

Judaism, Hinduism, Shintoism and the traditional religions of various parts of the wrold are not cults because they are specific to a single people or culture. They are religions in the truest form.

Answer 3

Is religion a cult? Dictionary.com examination.
“A religion or religious sect generally considered to be extremist or false, with its followers often living in an unconventional manner under the guidance of an authoritarian, charismatic leader.” Jerry F and Pat R would qualify, as would their followers.
“Obsessive, especially faddish, devotion to or veneration for a person, principle, or thing.” This seems to fit in some situations.
Are cults bad or dangerous? They were dangerous to Galileo who said the world was round and not the center of the universe. They are dangerous to NASA scientists who recognize there is evidence for global warming and other scientists who believe there is sufficient evidence to support the evolution as an explanation for certain phenomena.
Religious nuts would prohibit free thought and inquiry.
There is nothing in the Bible about vaccinations or surgery so they must not exist. How can a Christian believe in contemporary medicine when the Bible says that medical problems are cured by faith and magic? Medicine is blasphemy.

Answer 4

Webster's defines a cult as "A religion or religious sect generally considered to be extremist or false, with its followers often living in an unconventional manner under the guidance of an authoritarian, charismatic leader." All religions start out as cults, basically (the Romans had plenty to say about the Christian 'cult'), but then when they get enough people involved that they're no longer seen as extreme, it starts being called a religion (and will in turn refer to future start-up religions that come along as 'cults').

Answer 5

A cult are people who believe and follow but they are following a false doctrine. . They are not the same. A religion is thought of as spiritual a belief in God. Christianity is based on the trinity God the father, Jesus the son and the Holy Spirit. A cult is created by man and you may follow the man. I hope you can see the difference in believing in something spiritual - faith as opposed to believing in someone's elses interpretation of a belief.

Answer 6

In common American use, a cult is a group (usually with a religious bend) that demands so much of its members' freedom that they are pulled away from mainstream life. Cults don't allow any questioning, any opinions, any free thinking... and certainly absolutely NO disagreement.

Answer 7

Christian Cult Definition: (I agree with this definition)
By cultism we mean the adherence to doctrines which are pointedly contradictory to orthodox Christianity and which yet claim the distinction of either tracing their origin to orthodox sources or of being in essential harmony with those sources. Cultism, in short, is any major deviation from orthodox Christianity relative to the cardinal doctrines of the Christian faith

Religion (I think this is the best definition)
a cause, principle, or system of beliefs held to with ardor and faith

Your statement is correct, but the term typically is in reference to a specific religion, making it a sect of that religion (Mormons from Christianity, Radical Muslims from Islam)

Answer 8

According to Websters the deffinition of cult is : a system of religious worship. So, yes it is. Not to be confussed with the occult which is: the action or influence of supernatural agencies or secret knowledge of them.

Answer 9

Definition time!
Cult-n. 1.a.A religion or religious sect generally considered to be extremist or false, with its followers often living in an unconventional manner under the guidance of an authoritarian, charismatic leader.
b.The followers of such a religion or sect.
2.A system or community of religious worship and ritual.
3.The formal means of expressing religious reverence; religious ceremony and ritual.
4.A usually nonscientific method or regimen claimed by its originator to have exclusive or exceptional power in curing a particular disease.
5.a.Obsessive, especially faddish, devotion to or veneration for a person, principle, or thing.
b.The object of such devotion.
6.An exclusive group of persons sharing an esoteric, usually artistic or intellectual interest.
[Latin cultus, worship, from past participle of colere, to cultivate. See kwel-1 in Indo-European Roots.] (american heritage)

Religion-1.a.Belief in and reverence for a supernatural power or powers regarded as creator and governor of the universe.
b.A personal or institutionalized system grounded in such belief and worship.
2.The life or condition of a person in a religious order.
3.A set of beliefs, values, and practices based on the teachings of a spiritual leader.
4.A cause, principle, or activity pursued with zeal or conscientious devotion.
[Middle English religioun, from Old French religion, from Latin religi, religin-, perhaps from religre, to tie fast.]

so in a word, yes

Answer 10

yes, Cult is short for Culture, all Religions are Cultures.