Cult, Religon?

Question

I just posted a question of what people though Mormons were. many say that we are a cult. other say we are not christian. and yet. we believe all that Christians do and more. for example if u look at the Catholic church there isnt much of a differnce other than we have the Book Of Mormon as well as the Bible. We have apotles and a prophet. And technicaly the Catholic church doesnt have them yet they believe the bible and i clearly states in the bible that the Church of Christ should have Apotles and Prophets. We also have more beliefs. But both our churches believe in Christ and his mistering. And all that he did. So how do u describe an organization as a cult. how do u discribe an organization as a religon. cause if you call mormons a cult than u might as well call all religons a cult. I would describe a cult as an organiztion or people who are about worldly matters. And a religon is an organization about spirital matters. I would really like to know what u have to say about it.

Answer 1

The real issue is not what is a cult or what is a religion - the real question is where is the faith based relationship in Jesus Christ the only begotten Son of God? That's what the Holy Bible says is gospel (truth). It also said to add nothing to or take nothing away - so, a cult is defined as anyone who does not accept that Jesus Christ is the only begotten Son of God - religions can be any organization that sets up a standard by which people follow - but a Christian is one who has the personal relationship with Jesus Christ based on faith and worships him and him alone and believes that he is the only way and means into heaven as he stated he was. You specifically mention Catholics, but many Christians, as I have defined them, also believe Catholicism is a cult, as well as Jehovah's Witness, organized religions that do not teach the above stated gospel or who even if they do have lost tract of that truth and have become materialistic and worldly in their ways to draw converts and money, organized religions that believe you must work to earn your salvation, and the list can go on and on. Even Satan worshipers are about spiritual matters, so your thought of religion as an organization about spiritual matters should probably be qualified, as I'm sure you would not want that association tied into the Mormon church. I have not written this to offend you but to point out that "words" can be used the same but have very different meanings depending upon who is using them and in what context.

Answer 2

While I would not describe Mormonism as a cult, I would not describe it in the main stream of Christianity, either. The biggest problem comes fromt the fact that the Bible itself states that it alone is the authority, and no other version or preaching that is contrary to it is to be considered. That would place the book of Mormon right smack in the middle of the prohibition.
It also places Joseph Smith in the same place as Jesus, which carries its own problems.

Most of the information contained in the book of Mormon is, at best, contradictory to scripture. The books and the names of the individuals mentioned have little if any connection or verification in historical documentation, unlike scripture which can be verified at any point with those same indicators.

That, being said...Mormon people in general do lots of good works. They help and do many good things. The good works are not in question, but the basis for doing them are. It doesn't matter how much good you do, if what you do is based on an untruth.

So, cult? No. Misled and confused, yes.

Answer 3

The book of Mormon was written in the 1800's by a man (Joseph Smith, of all the generic names) who claims God came to him and ONLY him. You follow his teachings.

In the 90's there was a man named David Korresh who claimed God came to him and said he was the second Messiah. People, followed his teachings too. These are called cults. A lot of these cults will base their core beliefs on another religion and then the leader will take and twist the ideas around and claim that he is the chosen one to relay the message. (Sound familiar?) This is a repeating scenario with most cults. The church of Mormon has a lot of similarities to this format, while you may not have extremely radical views like some of the other cults, the core is there.

Like many other cults, the members don't believe they are in a cult. They wholeheartedly believe in their leaders teachings.

Answer 4

You need to read, "IS Mormonism Christian" You can find it by typing tha title into any search engine. If you will read it with an open mind I think you will learn some surprizing facts about the early beginings of the church, the character of Joseph Smith and Oliver Crowley, the reasons for the split in the church, the problems with the Book of Mormon, The Pearl of Great Price, and the other Mormon writings which have to be revised continually because they conflict with Biblical truth. Check it out.

Answer 5

Whew....I almost got lost in the train of thought with this one.

I know that there are those who do in fact believe religious followers are essentially the same as cult members. It has been discussed here on yahoo answers a number of times.

As far as your distinction regarding cults focusing on worldly matters and religions focusing on spiritual, there is room for a huge debate over that one. Many TV religious shows spend lots of time asking for money, and then you get to see pictures of the big fancy churches they spend it on (while the preachers are driving fancy cars and living in fancy homes) so your analogy is sadly and unfortunately tilted and tainted.

In reality, this could be debated and argued with no definitive outcome. But the main point with any religion should be simply knowing and doing right from wrong.
If you can live your life with this simple conviction, I don't think it really matters what church you belong to.

Answer 6

howdy , you all.here it is.., and the difference may offend some , and let it be.
A religion deifies God.
A cult deifies humans..So if you guys are gonna achieve godhood and get your own universe someday,it sounds like to me, that you are going to be deified. aand a genuine Prophet does not predict things that do not occur... Like the end of the world has been predicted by a few of the (ahem) leaders/pseudo/prophets. AAnd Mormons think that God The Father was once a man???? Gimme a break. Talk about a LEAP of faith..

Answer 7

Mormons belong to the Christian cult.

Answer 8

I think you aren't going to make much progress if you are using the Catholic 'Funny Hat' cult as a standard......

I DO call all religions a cult. I think Organic Food People have a cult, also. (wear funny clothes, sing organic songs, drink organic KoolAid...)

The true evil in the world is Blind Faith. If you don't question your cult, who will prove it's value?

Answer 9

People label things they don't understand. The Mormons also add to the lack of knowledge of it's self by the structure of it's hieracrhy. Then you add in the apparent way that women are held as almost 2ND class citizens. Throw it all in a pot, stir and add some heat and vala you have a cult.

Answer 10

Not a cult.

A cult is a small and recently founded religious movement. Polygamy aside (which is not a tenent of the church) the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is well founded and has millions of members.