Why do people call mormonism a cult?

Question

it doesnt seem that diff

exmormon.org

lifeafter.org

exmormonsforjesus.org

All say that mormonism is a cult, and all from ex mormons.

why would it be classified as a cult? why dont these people say they just switched faiths. people who switch from methodist do baptise dont claim that the methodist are cults

so why is it different to switch from one christian sect to another

Answer 1

Things are generally considered 'cults' for a few reasons, and out of a sense of 'differentness'.

The common reasons for the label generally include:

- Based on one person's teachings and that person has little if any formal background for their knowledge. It is one thing to have come across a new way of looking at things based on research and diligent study (as Martin Luther did), another to come up with it 'out of the blue'.

- Based on some form of revelations to a single person. (The classic "God spoke to ME and ONLY *I* know the truth!") It may also be a 'personality cult'- totally controlled by a single person and/or a small circle of leaders. The closer the leader is considered to being like God, the more likely the group is a cult.

- A version or interpretation of the Bible or other religious writings significantly at odds with the mainstream thought. Not just on a few doctrines, but over a wider range of teachings. This often involves some specialized book of interpretations that you are supposed to use on a level near that of the Bible.

- "Hidden knowledge". Any time a faith has knowledge it reveals slowly as you become more entrenched in the teachings, it is suspicious.

- Secret ceremonies, hidden from public view, are suspicious- more so if it is also hidden from 'lower level' members. (There is, however, a difference between a practice that involves secrecy and one that requires some privacy, such as counselling.)

- A strong profit motive somewhere- signing over your goods, required (and carefully tracked) tithes to remain in good standing, any form of buying 'favor' within the group, etc. Some groups make it pretty clear that contributions equal faith- the more of one, the more of the other.

- Control. To me, this is a key hallmark of a cult. The more the group controls what the individual does, wears, reads, thinks, and behaves normally, the more cultish it is.

Now- not all cults do all this, and many 'mainstream' groups do some of these. We are looking for a pattern of 'wrongness'.

Of course, we also have a terrible habit of labeling things cults just because we do not agree with some point of doctrine or another.

Now... is Mormonism 'Christian'? By the definition of 'trying to emulate Jesus', probably. By the definition of 'believing that Jesus Christ is God's only son, died for our sins, and was resurrected', no. Mormons have a different view of God, Jesus, man's role, etc. than the mainstream church does- although it is not easy to learn that in their introductory literature.

I am not trying to claim ANYTHING for or against the Mormons- even if I do not think they are 'Christian' in a traditional sense, I don't necessarily have anything against them either.

Answer 2

As a former Mormon, I would say that they are called a cult because the religion is very close knit. You are tracked down even after you leave the church and move to another location. They don't give you all the information on what the faith stands for until you've been a member for a year, and then the info can be so overwhelming that if you don't agree with it, they say that you just weren't ready for it. They won't make you drink the kool-aid but they do expect you to follow EVERYTHING they tell you.

Answer 3

The government did not bother to define 'religion' before granting people 'freedom of religion.' Therefore just about anyone can get a group of people to follow his teaching, profess to be a 'religion' and spread what he or she believes to be the 'truth.' This is a cult. Some cults even worship the devil.

By definition religion is a belief system revealed by God to Man so that Man might worship Him. God revealed Himself to Moses in the 'Burning Bush' forming a covenant with the people, the Israelites. Later God revealed Himself to Man (the Apostles) in the person of Jesus the Christ.

Cults, on the other hand, are created by someone who professes to be a 'prophet,' or some enlightened soul who can teach people the truth. A prophet, by definition, is one who speaks for God. The Age of the Prophet closed with the death of St. John the Apostle.

H

Answer 4

There are many different definitions for a cult-- almost as many as there are websites. Here are a few that I found:

In religion and sociology, a cult is a group of people (often a new religious movement) devoted to beliefs and goals which may be contradictory to those held by the majority of society. Its marginal status may come about either due to its novel belief system or due to idiosyncratic practices that cause the surrounding culture to regard it as far outside the mainstream.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cult

A religious group that follows a particular theological system. In the context of Christianity, and in particular, CARM, it is a group that uses the Bible but distorts the doctrines that affect salvation sufficiently to cause salvation to be unattainable. A few examples of cults are Mormonism, Jehovah's Witnesses, Christian Science, Christadelphians, Unity, Religious Science, The Way International, and the Moonies. (See also Cults)
www.carm.org/dictionary/dic_c-d.htm

A religious group which denies the essential doctrines of Christianity. The term is usually reserved for groups founded after 1750.
www.dtl.org/trinity/misc/glossary.htm

Note that most Christian-based cults tend to have their own literature outside of the Bible and are usually led (or at least started) by a charismatic leader who is as much the focus of the group as the religion is.

Answer 5

Because it is:


cult ( P ) Pronunciation Key (klt)
n.

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.
The followers of such a religion or sect.
A system or community of religious worship and ritual.
The formal means of expressing religious reverence; religious ceremony and ritual.
A usually nonscientific method or regimen claimed by its originator to have exclusive or exceptional power in curing a particular disease.

Obsessive, especially faddish, devotion to or veneration for a person, principle, or thing.
The object of such devotion.
An exclusive group of persons sharing an esoteric, usually artistic or intellectual interest.

Answer 6

If you look up the word cult and then look at the Mormon religion, you will understand why it is called a cult. Given I had friends that were Mormon, I asked many questions and even went to church with them once, I found it to be definately a cult.

Answer 7

I think that any religious sect that asks for money as a requirement (i.e. in the form of tithing) is a cult. Check out their leaders, the Quorum of the Twelve... See how expensive their suits are? That's where all your mormon money is going.

I also remember going to a service once and the head mormon (I can't remember what he's called) proclaimed that if you don't pay your tithes, you will go to hell. Greedy bastard, making mormons feel guilty just so that he can get his new sportscar.

Answer 8

The term "cult" has a variety of different meanings in general usage. Mormons are among several groups sometimes referred to as cults. Some of them are. Some aren't. It depends upon who is defining them.

Answer 9

I'd have to agree with Alex...a cult can be ANY organized religious group or sect. The term "cult" translates to " a system of religious rites or observances. Zealous devotion to a person, thing or ideal."

The word itself is a derivation of the Latin term "cultus" which means care/cultivate.

Answer 10

Probably because they're different and extreme. They have prophets and scriptures that other denominations don't have.

I grew up Morman, and while I don't practice (it's not for me), I don't think it's a cult. Just hard core religious folk.