Is it based on the size of its membership/congregation, acceptance by the mainstream culture, or just familiarity?
2006-07-27 13:20:18 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Society. And in America, recognition by the Gov't.
2006-07-27 16:19:19 · answer #1 · answered by Kithy 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
the question is more, "when does a legitimate religion turn into a cult."
Jehavah's Witness, Mormonism, snake churches, and even (believe it or not) the Catholic Church, I would consider cults. They all began in Christianity, then began to change the faith and add (or take away ) to the beliefs to become something totally different and false from its original.
2006-07-27 13:35:24 · answer #2 · answered by mywifeisbetterthanyours 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The answer to your question is in the word"legitimate". Which means legal. When the state recognizes your religion then it is no longer a cult. It is now legal.
2006-07-27 13:31:58 · answer #3 · answered by yosemitedude@sbcglobal.net 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I dont imagine that the early Christians truly were seen a "cult". a minimum of no longer before each and every thing. In later Roman cases, definite. (beginning about 70 a.d.) before each and every thing they were seen a "branch" or "branch" interior of Judaism. i imagine even the Christians seen themselves that way. it is why contained in the e book of Acts you observe Peter and John going into the temple to worship. that's obviously why the very theory of letting gentiles into the "Jewish" faith with the help of turning right into a member of the "Nazarine" sect rocked the early Church. They were beginning to understand purely how radical and various the hot faith truly replaced into. It might want to were a wonder to a first century jewish attitude. a number of them under no circumstances truly common it for sure, and hence, alongside got here the "Judaiezers" that bothered Paul a lot. thanks for the form of nice question. ....theBerean
2016-10-15 07:00:25 · answer #4 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When it stops trying to coerce others into converting to their beliefs.
The most cult-like religions are those that insist that their way is the ONLY way to believe.
2006-07-27 13:23:19 · answer #5 · answered by oaksterdamhippiechick 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is when they include Jesus Christ in their teachings that they look like a legitamate religion and some people are smart enough to latch onto Jesus Christ from them. There is not only one way to find Jesus Christ.
http://www.mechanicsburgnewchurch.org
2006-07-27 13:24:45 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
getting tax exempt status from the government. Then let those collection plates start their work.
2006-07-27 13:27:59 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
when it has enough suporters and is as old as the 3 main religions. in other words never.
2006-07-27 13:24:41 · answer #8 · answered by surfer soul 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What you say.
2006-07-27 13:25:02 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋