Why is Scientology considered a cult but Christianity and Mormonism are not?

Question

"Cult" charges against Scientology often stem from a cursory analysis of their beliefs about aliens, Thetans, and all that. But when I think about scriptural assertions such as the world being created in six days, the Red Sea being parted, the Immaculate Conception, heaven and hell, and magic plates that contain inscriptions of a revisiting Messiah, I wonder just what it is about Scientology that is laughable to so many who embrace or tolerate some of the other canon I have just mentioned.

Yes, there is a money-conscious component to Scientology, but Scientology is not alone. Which is the bigger "transgression"- a church that asks money from those who can afford it, or a church that holds uncountable riches in real estate and art while their believers in poorer nations starve?

And how are Scientology's financial programs different than those of church-sponsored institutions of higher learning that assess tuition, or a synogogue that charges money for a seat during Yom Kippur services

Answer 1

I agree with Scott M. Given the actual definition of what a cult is, all religions are cults.

However, to answer your question, I think it has to do with what they do believe in and what they don't believe in. I've said it before and I'll say it again. To me a religion has a set of practices and beliefs. One of the beliefs must be that they believe in something, and have faith that that something has the power to help them improve their lives. Scientology (what I know of it) has the set of practices, but doesn't say this is the one thing you should believe in and have faith in. So to me they aren't even a religion, they're a practice.

FYI "Mormonism" is a Christian religion. It is not a traditional Christian religion in that it is not part of the Catholic church (obviously) and it's not a Protestant denomination either, but it is a Christ centered religion which makes it a Christian religion.

Answer 2

The reason Scientology is a cult is because of a number of factors.

First of all, it's not even really a religion. It's a collection of pseudo-psychological techniques for the most part. When I first started looking into Scientology in the early 90s, not once was there a mention of God or anything spiritual. It was also psychological stuff.

Secondly, one can not progress in Scientology just by the teachings. They MUST undergo the expensive "audits" in order to progress and to be 'cleared'. The whole auditing process is nothing religious, either, and has never been claimed as a spiritual exercise. It's a psychological/physical exercise. And yet they denounce psychiatrists! Of course they would--they can't have people with problems going off to see psychologists and psychiatrists because they should be going to see their auditors instead.

Thirdly, they keep things very secretive and tend to cause trouble for people who try to leave the organization. I've read of some absolutely horrible accounts online of people who managed to leave.

Basically thought the main reason is it's a cult is because it's managed to convince all of the followers that it's actually a religion when it isn't in the least!

Answer 3

Here is the definiton of a cult from wikipedia:
In religion and sociology, a cult is a cohesive group of people (often a relatively small and recently founded religious movement) devoted to beliefs or practices that the surrounding culture or society considers to be far outside the mainstream. Its separate status may come about either due to its novel belief system, because of its idiosyncratic practices or because it opposes the interests of the mainstream culture. Other non-religious groups may also display cult-like characteristics.

In common usage, "cult" has a negative connotation, and is generally applied to a group by its opponents, for a variety of reasons. Understandably, most, if not all, groups that are called "cults" deny this label. It has been argued that no one yet has been able to define “cult” in a way that enables the term to identify only groups that have been claimed as problematic.

Given that definition scientology is a new religion(practice), it is far from mainstream viewpoint. Right now is it a growing religion and in the future it may no longer be considered a cult.

Many religions started as cults - Christianity, Islam, Wicca, Satanism, etc. Until it become recognised as mainstream religion it will remain a cult.

Answer 4

Well, there are practicing "Christian" groups that are considered "cults" by the mainstream Christian faith.

There is actually a pretty strict definition of "cult" out there -- it's not just a general term. The traits usually include:

1. One figurehead leader who wields complete authority over everyone and is accountable to no one.
2. Questions are discouraged and even banned.
3. Individuality is stamped out; there is only "group-think."
4. Rigorous practices are often enforced that contribute to people being unable to make good decisions (food/sleep deprivation, etc.)
5. Us/Them mentality (i.e., reinforce and create an enemy of everyone who disagrees).
6. Inability to leave the movement when one desires.

Note that some practices of Christianity DO become rather "cultish" sometimes -- and are criticized by the mainstream. (I think some of the televangelist ministries, for example, have been "cultish" in practice.)

The biggest element you'll see, though, is lack of freedom to either rebel or leave.

Again, your brush is a little broad when you compare "a church that asks money from those who can afford it, or a church that holds uncountable riches in real estate and art while their believers in poorer nations starve?" The latter doesn't really reflect the majority of average Christians, who make modest incomes and do not have the resources you're insinuating. Many Christians also do donate to third-world countries or are involved with local missions.

I think one way to evaluate a movement is to study (1) the core beliefs and (2) the impact they have or should have on people's relationships with others. Is Tom Cruise a loon even by Scientology standards, or is he par for the course? I don't know.

I did take the Scientology test and found it pathetically laughable from a psychological POV in terms of the variables it tries to isolate -- the questions were simply inadequate (or even misguided) to judge what the test had hoped to judge and said more about the test creator than the test taker. Heck, I would trust a "Tickle.com" test before I'd trust THAT thing.

And if that lack of insight and research is indicative of the movement's beliefs in general, I wouldn't go near it -- regardless of one's views of Christianity.

Answer 5

I have never understood the hype surrounding the whole "Scientology thing." Scientology does not target anyone's religious beliefs. They don't associate their "practices / religion" even with God. What they do do however is try and enhance ones beliefs and coordinate it with a way of living that they feel is goal satisfying, accomplishment oriented, positive life perspective, and motivated attitude towards life in general.
They concentrate on becoming "clear" while a Christian believes that they are forgiven and that Jesus already does that for them. I believe that most people are actually more intimidated by the rituals and proclaimed beliefs of aliens and thetans as well as the whole history of Ron L. Hubbard and Alistar Crowley that surrounds Scientology. There is a lot of negative publicity and the practice is still very young.
I personally believe that Jesus has everything covered, but I don't discriminate someone who practices Scientology because they can also be Christian.

Answer 6

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is not a cult because we are founded and based on the belief in Jesus Christs. Scientology was invinted by a man who wrote a book and wanted more money. They do not believe in Jesus in the sence that other religons do. They really do not even acknowledge the God head.

Answer 7

To answer your question, the Church of Latter Day Saints are considered a cult by the fundamentalist Christians. Along with Jehova's Witnesses and the Church of Scientology.

Answer 8

"Cult" is a buzzword that would recommend any variety of issues counting on who you're talking to. i do no longer think of Mormonism is a cult, interior the experience of a controlling faith unfavorable to a guy or woman's well being. it somewhat is heavily no longer that. some Christians do no longer think of Mormonism is part of Christianity, using fact they settle for a extra moderen revelation (the e book of Mormon) and have self belief some issues that are rather appreciably distinctive from what different Christians have self belief.

Answer 9

cult (klt)

NOUN:

A religion or religious sect generally considered to be extremist or false, with its followers often living in an unconventional manner under the guidance of an authoritarian, charismatic leader.
The followers of such a religion or sect.
A system or community of religious worship and ritual.
The formal means of expressing religious reverence; religious ceremony and ritual.
A usually nonscientific method or regimen claimed by its originator to have exclusive or exceptional power in curing a particular disease.

Obsessive, especially faddish, devotion to or veneration for a person, principle, or thing.
The object of such devotion.
An exclusive group of persons sharing an esoteric, usually artistic or intellectual interest.

By this definition, all religions are cults. No surprise there.

Answer 10

Scientology is considered a cult because we know the name of the person who made the religion up and when it was created.

When the names of the people who make up a god and doctrines are lost to history... It's a religion.