Are all cults bad?

Question

I've seen lots of people on this board throwing around statements like "your religion is a cult" in a way that's meant to be an insult. So I started to wonder just how much of an insult that really was.

I mean, we hear on the news about Heaven's Gate, or other mass-suicide groups which are obviously bad news, and not good for any neighborhood.

But then I heard someone call the Shriners a cult, and I thought "aren't those the guys that are fun to watch in community parades, and donate millions of dollars to children's hospitals?"

So I don't get it? Are the Shriners not a cult? Or are there cults out there that really do contribute positively to their communities?

(Please note I'm asking this question with a complete disregard with whether their beliefs are right or not, this is is more in regards to having a positive or negative role in society in general).

Answer 1

Cults are always bad.

It is helpful to know what a cult is. One common trait of cults is that members are not free to leave once they become members.

Another common--though not-across-the-board--trait is that members are to give everything they own to the leader(s).

Another common trait is that members are not allowed to associate with whom they choose, and sometimes MUST cut off all contact with former friends and family.

And yet another is that members must submit to the will of the leader(s) or else be punished.

A cult "steals" choices from people.

The Shriners are not a cult. They are a society.

People throw the word "cult" around, and they have no idea what they're talking about. A tiny bit of research would reveal these people's use of the word "cult" to describe certain religions and societies to be erroneous.

Answer 2

The meaning of technical terms are often distorted when a term gets preempted by the masses. Cult is one of those terms. Academically speaking, a cult is a new religion and, as such, all religions were cults at one time. However, successful religions (which I define here as attracting enough followers to last for a long time) evolve into the "establishment."

It is interesting that some cults espouse unusual or extreme views. I suspect this is what many people think of when talking about cults. Regardless of how extreme the original stance of a cult may be, becoming popular and attracting more members into the fold tends to normalize the group. The cult evolves into a more mainstream belief system.

It is ironic that success tends to drive out the zealots who started the cult in the first place. Religions tend to move from an immediate and intimate relationship with God with a focus on the afterlife to preoccupation on the here and now.

Taking the long view, we do not have to worry much about cults. If they are unsuccessful, they disappear into history. However, should they succeed, they morph into something else.

Answer 3

Sandy has a great answer - as does TxHypnotist, lol.

By that def., all cults ARE bad. But then the question becomes, is _______ a cult? I think it's possible to have some characteristics of a cult, but not be all bad. I don't know - if it makes you happy and you've joined of your own free will, what the heck?

As for Shriners.....I don't think they're a cult. I'm not even sure they're a religion. We have a temple up the street from us. I've never heard screams or moans issuing from the building.....

Answer 4

Hi daisykristina,

A cult is basically anyone who says that they believe in Jesus Christ but their teachings are contrary to that of the Bible. Some have resulted in destructive ending-- like the Heaven's Gate, Branch Davidians, Jim Jones', etc.

I'm not sure about the Shriners. i don't think people are saying that any religious organization can not contribute in some sort of positive way to society.

But when you think of a purpose of a religious organization that prime focus should be pointing people to God and so for cults, that automatically carries a stigma of deceit (and it's hard to believe in someone who deceives you regardless of how noble there other actions are).

i'm not sure and have never heard of the Shriners as being a cult- and my only awareness of them- is some oft he positive contributions they have given to society. But i think history has shown that cults have the potential to lead to rather destructive ends not only the ones that are publicized, but individual lives ruined and manipulated.

i had a friend who was in a church of Christ cult and they threatened to expose all the secrets she had confided in one of her "sisters" in confidence when she tried to leave. So even though that organization had done some positive things in the community- the importance of letting other people know they are a cult is important.

Hope that helps,

Nickster

Answer 5

religious defenders use the term "cult" as cudgel to attack small religious groups or, even worse, minority Christian faiths which do not adhere to all the traditional Christian doctrines. Thus, even the Mormons are regarded by many as a "cult." One of the definitions for the word cult is a religion regarded as unorthodox. For some people "cult" is merely a term for a False Faith. If you are referring to Masons I've heard some similar references to them being a cult by people's families that were involved once upon a time. I can't say whether it is true or not because I haven't done much research into it. As for cults being dangerous, of course not all of them are, but we only hear about the bad ones. Usually doomsday cults are the ones you have to worry about being very dangerous. I can't generalize for every single one because you never know.

Answer 6

Saying a religion or a group is a "cult" usually means that their beliefs are not in line with the Bible, so it's usually Christians who are saying it. Many Christians believe Catholicism is a cult because they have a lot of rules and traditions that are not commanded or can't be found in the Bible. Some believe the Mormons are a cult because they believe in the Book of Mormon, which contradicts the Bible. Are all Catholics and Mormons bad people? Heck no. They're some of the kindest, most family and community-minded people you will ever meet. But are they going to Hell? Only God can truly answer that question.

Answer 7

The word cult is defined different ways. It's "damage" to society depends on your definition. If you define it as a group outside of the normal set of beliefs, it is not so bad. If you define it as a group with a charismatic leader, that uses brainwashing, separates people from others outside their belief system and generally preys on the disenfranchised, then it is always bad. Variance of definitions are documented below. (I would not call the Shriners a cult.)

Answer 8

A cult is any group which teaches doctrines or beliefs that deviate from the biblical message of the Christian faith. It is very important that we recognize cults and avoid any involvement with them. Cults often teach some Christian truth mixed with error, which may be difficult to detect. There are some features common to most cults:
They do not adhere solely to the sixty-six books of the Bible as the inspired Word of God. They add their "special revelations" to the Bible as equally authoritative.

They do not accept that our relationship to Jesus Christ is a reality "by grace through faith" alone, but practice instead a salvation by works.

They do not give Jesus Christ, the divine Son of God, full recognition as the second Person of the Trinity, composed of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Some of these groups are Jehovah's Witnesses, Mormons, the Unification Church, Unitarians, Spiritists, Scientologists, and others

Answer 9

I don't think cults are productive to society or for the person. Cults are brainwashing dogma for some man or woman to instill insane versions of warped thoughts in their minds. Usually cults reach out to young people who are afraid and alone . They search for the helpless. Which some people would argue that it is bad either.Cults are not the way to go to try to find some sanity and inner peace about yourself.

Answer 10

A cult

1> claims to have information that only it's members can understand or have access to

and

2> is centered around a personality.


I'm not sure how you would classify the Shriners as a cult.

As to good/bad it would depend on who you ask. Mormonism is a cult (see above) and I know many Mormons who would say that Mormonism is good.