What is the difference between a cult and a religion?

Question

Clearly the lines between a clut and a religion are very fuzzy and may be nonexistant. So the bible contradicts itself once again by saying cults a wrong. hmmm

Answer 1

A religion is a cult that has obtained enough power and influence to protest being called a cult. Any cult can call themselves a religion, but it takes time and a large number of converts before society recognize them as a religion.

Answer 2

I am a christian but some churches take it to far in doing certain things with their members until they forget who god is and concentrate only on the pastor. On the other hand in a cult you have some of the same practice but I don't rely on religion I follow what the word of god said but with religion you have many different groups doing something more than the other and that is where religion came about but if you look at it you can find a cult within the religious group because some on always think that they know better than god .

Answer 3

oooo, alrighty then, my child, I'll give this a shot. Religion has been noticed and given legal status by most of the world's countries. They also have a LOT of members and too often meddle in world politics. They sometimes ask their followers to kill or highly dislike members of other religions or faiths that do not agree with their own dogma, either enacting a Crusade, a Jihad, an Inquisition or the Invasion of another sovereign State. It doesn't really matter which religion this is as they do all tend to do one or more of these. (Except for the Buddhists....they're pretty quiet.)
A cult is a baby religion that does not have legal status, has only a few members (give or take you understand) and often only wants to kill its own members rather than others.
I'm going to stay away from either of them. I like being a Happy pagan Person. Hope I've answered your question.

Answer 4

a religion has more followers

christian hypocrites declare some to be a cult while theirs is the only way

google "william edelen what's the difference between a cult and a real religion"

Answer 5

cults have leaders who brain wash their peopleto think the leaders are somekind of prophet or super christain directly in touch with God. Jehovahs witnesses are one cult that is very dangerous and the leaders have then even afraid to leave the religion. Religion is what man teaches, the bible says the truth

Answer 6

Big difference I use as a rule of thumb is. A cult will usually want you to sell your assets and give everything to them, then you become a servent for what ever they are preaching, whether it be missionary work or other causes. Religion, is go to church, and give what you can and keep your day job...

Answer 7

A Cult usually has a Very Strong PERSON at the head.
(like the poop).
That person usually makes out like he or she has special knowledge or powers.
A CULT usually has a special BOOK-- beyond The Bible.

A CULT usually adds special things for the member to do - to make them feel united, and to make them feel SPECIAL.

Answer 8

A cult is for example Jim Jones, the Mormon Church, David Koresh, and Heaven's Gate. They are cults.

Answer 9

A cult is a religion that has a charismatic leader (alive, dead, or mythical) serving a pivotal role. This includes Christianity (Jesus/Paul), Islam (Muhammed), Judaism (Abraham/Moses), Buddhism (Buddha), and most others as well.

Answer 10

A cult serves the leader and religion(so to speak) is supposed to serve God.
Good answer someguyonthe !