I think an acquaintance of mine wants me to join a cult. How can I tell if it is one?

Answer 1

If they all wear the same clothing, if they force you to donate your belongings or break contact from your friends and family.

OR

If they offer you Flavor-Aide to drink.

Answer 2

Basically use good judgement and research. Is there information online about this group? Also, don't fall into the christian fanatic mindset that anything other than their religion is a "cult". That's just ignorant, not to mention false.
Signs to look out for:
1. Do they require members to leave their home and "join" their community?
2. Do they give their members freedom of choice?
3. Watch out for brainwashing techniques. I don't have a website I can paste here, but I'm sure there are some you can find online that can give you good pointers.
I really hope your acquaintance is making an intelligent choice. Just remember that its your responsibility as a friend to help guide him, but not to force him to a decision. With the right information in hand, that should be all the force you need if it comes to that.

Answer 3

Here is some information about cults. Good luck to your friend.

Basicly, most religions are cults because they get their members to believe that only their church is recognized by God, and that they are the ones who are going to heaven. Why do you think we have so many denominations? It is because churches, even within Christianity, have different beliefs, so they break away from one church and start another, and then there are other offshoots, etc. And each one will want you to be with them and not with the others, because they want their church to grow. To them that is a sign that they are right (strength in numbers).

It's all boils down to how much brain-washing and control they have on the members. Some of the churches are subtle, and others are very strong and demand 100% loyalty -- or else.

Answer 4

Many people use the word "cult" in a religious sense with the idea that a cult is inferior to what they personally believe.
One of the definitions in Websters dictionary 1912 gives the following under the word "worship".
(("That which was the religion of Moses is the ceremonial or cult of the religion of Christ.)) Now that's an amazing statement. To understand the word "cult" with reference to scripture it's necessary to find the Greek word for cult. In other words, cult is a Latin or Italian derived word that translates to "service". (John 16:2, Rom. 9:4, Rom. 12:1, Heb. 9:1, Heb. 9:6).

1. any service or ministration: the service of God
2. the service and worship of God according to the requirements of the Levitical law
3. to perform sacred services

One of my points here is that Satan has placed his false cults in the churches. We find the chalice taken over from the third cup of the passover, we find the wafer etc.
Acts 12:4--"Easter" has been placed in scripture instead of Passover and so forth.

Anyway I find it amazing that Websters dictionary of 1912 has that statement up above and defines the true cult, the "service" of God.

None of the modern dictionaries define the word "cult" as the above mentioned anymore, but rather have the word as meaning something inferior or demeaning, which usually, these days it does.

Answer 5

Do Some research online. Ask for some more information and the name of the religions. Basically if they don't believe that Jesus christ is the Only way to heaven then they are a cult. And most cult's will have you seperate you away from your family and you'll never get to see them again.

Answer 6

First you must understand what a cult is. When you understand what cults are about, what they really want from the followers, and whom the focus of worship truely is, you will know in your heart if its a cult. If the religion is based on anything other than Jesus Christ and the fact that He was born, crusified, and reserected you can bet its a cult.

Answer 7

I would have preferred your including what makes you think so, but here are some of the signs:

Pressure on members to deal only with other members (except to recruit them), pressure to cut off one's family and friends.

A message that says that it is only we few who are in possession of the whole truth (that the leader is the only truth-seer, everyone else in the world is deluded, the leader is infallible).

Inappropriate degree of control over minutia of the members' lives: what you do, eat, wear, say, think, feel.

Anyone who leaves is completely cut off and vilified.

They want all or most of your money.

They tend to prey on the lonely and those with little self-esteem -- prospective new members are showered with affection (from a bunch of total strangers who claim to love you), and offered community, oneness, and love.

You could do a search of the net for warning signs of cults, but if what I have so far fits the pattern, beware. It needn't match all of these things.

In general, never listen to people who tell you to stop thinking and listen only to them, for they posses the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth; they are up to no good.

Heck, even _I_, as right as I am about nearly everything, am willing to admit that I may be wrong about SOME things.

;-)

Answer 8

Don't drink the Kool-Aid!

Actually, if they require you to cut ties with your friends, family, and tell you that they're evil, tainted, shouldn't be contacted, etc, that is a bad sign.

Also, if they require you to sell all your belongings or give their organization a lot of money, that is also a warning sign.

If there is one leader who is a "prophet" or "god," and he has a lot of wives, this also means trouble.

If the group tells you how to think or act, all the answers come from only one source (a book or a person), and they don't like it when you ask questions, this could also mean it's a cult.

Answer 9

If it denies the divinity of Christ, then it is a cult. If it offers you any other way to heaven other than through Jesus Christ, then it is a cult. If it makes you swear an oath to anyone, it is a cult---you do not have to swear any oaths to Jesus. If it meets in secret and claims to possess special knowledge that is not available anywhere else, then it is a cult. Be careful. Cults cleverly disguise themselves to look Christian. Look at what they believe and compare it with the Bible. If their teaching do not match up with the word of God, then you are dealing with a cult. Jesus loves you.

Answer 10

All the other answers are great ones. If they want to control your life ... if they make you "pay" for anything ... Scientology is definitely big on this ... but there are millions of other groups that mirror their beliefs.

If your friend does join a group like this, you won't have a friend anymore if you try to "talk sense into them". They'll get to the point where they turn their back on you altogether, as the "church" instructs them to do to all "non-believers".

You won't have much time. Do your research and make a move quickly, if you really care.

Answer 11

If it's not a church or temple or covenstead you recognize, then there is a good chance it's a cult. Also if they call themselves a religion that you've never heard of. If they try to make you donate money or belongings, try to say you have to change things in your life (such as no drinking / medicine / staying up [past 10 p.m. / whatever), or if they offer you "literature" or training groups that try to get you to change your lifestyle and way of thinking (brainwashing) - stay away.