2006-07-20 23:32:48 · 36 answers · asked by witty5 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
A cult is a group of persons who adhere to an exclusive system of theistic beliefs and practices.
A religion is a strong belief in a supreme and supernatural power, or powers, that control human destiny.
2006-07-20 23:38:27 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 6⤊ 1⤋
I believe that the only difference between the two are the numbers involved and the time passed since it was started. Personally I believe that both Christianity and Islam started as cults, formed on the back of a charismatic leader. Each of these two religions have numerous offshoots. Methodists, Catholics, Protestants etc, each of these were 'cults' that broke off from what ever the main religion was but have sufficient members and have been around long enough to be seen as a religion.
A religion has to start somewhere, with someone to lead people into it. Therefore, by todays standards, it has to be regarded as a cult. So by that reckoning there is actually no difference between a cult and a religion. Both believe that what they believe is the one true path and that all other religions/cults are wrong.
2006-07-21 00:10:30 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The word "cult" has nothing to do with any religion looking down on anyone.
It's more like a religion formed out of the mainstream religions. They could have been around as long as any of the mainstreams, or recently founded. For the good, or for the bad. Big scale, or privately organised.
As long as they are not recognised by the public or the country's management system, it is considered as a "cult".
Same goes with businesses, organisations, singers, bands, books, and many more.
2006-07-21 00:06:43 · answer #3 · answered by Geo C 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the difference between a cult and religion, comes down too one thing, and that's the number off followers it has, now I'm not sure what the figure is, but once you reach a certain number, let's just say for argument's sake, it's 1 million, then you go from cult status to religion.
Hope that was the answer you was looking for!!!
2006-07-20 23:43:50 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
A cult is usually organized by one charismatic leader, or a small central group of leaders. Cults usually isolate themselves from the rest of society and practice their beliefs by themselves. Usually sex plays some part in cult activity.
A religion is an ideology based and centered on a deity or spiritual figure-head. Religions are different from cults because they usually devote themselves to a spiritual being and not a human. You can leave most religions (if they don't suit you), and religions usually have ideals that can be supported by mainstream society.
2006-07-20 23:39:44 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
A cult is like a secret club, it's a tiny version of the universal religions like Christianity. It is a religion that only a group, a village or just a couple of people believe in, while a religion is known though out the world.
when you say that cults are evil and sacrifice people, you are properly thinking about the ancient Britain Druids who sacrificed animals and people for their gods. They were not being or trying to be evil, just trying to please their gods with the best presents they could find, which were people. Ancient Aztecs did this kind of thing too.
2006-07-21 00:15:39 · answer #6 · answered by Nyx 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Awesome question!! there is no difference, accept billions of people call religion gods.. and cults are frowned upon because they worship Aliens etc... stuff that actually could exist. mmmmm
A really interesting one is Scientology, Tom Cruise worships it. Watch the South Park episode with Tom Cruise in and it explains what Scientlogists belive.... the short story is that there religion is based upon the Souls of aliens that were dropped on Planet earth Millions of years ago by another Alien Lifeform..... very strange and they charge you to become a member!!
That is a CULT, no sorry it's now a RELIGION!
2006-07-20 23:40:40 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Basically it depends if you're a member or not. If a member then it's a religion, if not it's a cult. The latter is especially true if you have your own agenda, such as being in another cult such as christianity ;)
Don't forget that there are historical records provably older than certain parts of the bible describing just how bad this cult was :)
2006-07-20 23:46:55 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
i don't know that they are any different. however, the difference between a cult and Christianity is that Christianity follows the Bible. A cult will claim to follow the Bible but usually there are other books on equal footing, and they generally adhere to one particular leader/teacher. Sadly, there are even many Christian churches that fall into the cult category. What makes it a cult is that the teachings of the leader often supercede the teachings of the Bible.
2006-07-20 23:39:06 · answer #9 · answered by WVMagpie 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The basic difference between cult and a recognised religion is that cultists believe that they are the only ones with the truth and they usually interpret things totally out of context and opposite to what the bible states. (Most cults misuse christian philosophy - interesting?)
The book of revelation in the bible warns of this in symbolic form ie. one of the beasts mentioned there are false prophets/teachers, leading followers of Christ astray. It is interesting to note that most cults form from a sound christian belief and usually break away from christianity led by a corrupt leader. The leader normally has an ulterior motive and by no means wants to serve God, but his own selfish interests. Normally greed or sexual fulfillment.
For this reason it is very important for Christians to learn to read and interpret the bible in the intended context. Anyone interested in learning visit www.veritascollege.com.
2006-07-21 00:01:35 · answer #10 · answered by Norter 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you want to look down on a religion call it a cult
nobody calls their religion a cult and nobody admits to being in a cult .The Bible says by their fruits ye shall know them.
2006-07-21 05:28:13 · answer #11 · answered by righteous992003 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋