what gives the right to say something is a cult? they are just practicing what they believe in just like all other religions do so why cant we say christianity is a cult?
2006-09-04 05:47:07 · 20 answers · asked by Pale_13 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Definition of cult:
1 : formal religious veneration : WORSHIP
2 : a system of religious beliefs and ritual; also : its body of adherents
3 : a religion regarded as unorthodox or spurious; also : its body of adherents
4 : a system for the cure of disease based on dogma set forth by its promulgator
5 a : great devotion to a person, idea, object, movement, or work (as a film or book); especially : such devotion regarded as a literary or intellectual fad b : the object of such devotion c : a usually small group of people characterized by such devotion
So according to the definitions above, all religions are cults.
2006-09-04 05:54:24 · answer #1 · answered by supersuddendeath 2 · 2⤊ 3⤋
A Cult is a deviant religious group that usually brakes away from an established religious group, but not always.
Islam is a Cult that embraces elements of both Christianity, and Judaism, but deviates from both, declaring it self the only True Religion.
Mormonism, Kingdom Hall, Scientology, are examples of Cults that claim allegiance to Christ, but Deni the validity of all other Christian Groups.
Christianity cannot fit this definition.
2006-09-04 13:13:54 · answer #2 · answered by Minister 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you don't except Jesus as being God in human flesh, believing him to be myth or just a crazy man, then by all means Christianity is a cult. A cult was defined by a teacher of mine I hold close to my heart as a religion with a strong central leader and extra-biblical revelation, much like JW, or Mormons...Jim
2006-09-04 13:14:37 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, when I say "cult" I don't mean the type that end up in mass suicide. I'm using a different definition of the word.
From Merriam-Webster:
Etymology: French & Latin; French culte, from Latin cultus care, adoration, from colere to cultivate -- more at WHEEL
1 : formal religious veneration : WORSHIP
2 : a system of religious beliefs and ritual; also : its body of adherents
3 : a religion regarded as unorthodox or spurious; also : its body of adherents
4 : a system for the cure of disease based on dogma set forth by its promulgator
5 a : great devotion to a person, idea, object, movement, or work (as a film or book); especially : such devotion regarded as a literary or intellectual fad b : the object of such devotion c : a usually small group of people characterized by such devotion
I am using definitions 1. and 2., which are proper and inoffensive usages. So you see, not everyone using the word "cult" in insulting Christianity, but can be properly said in relation to Christianity.
I say if the "religion" is essentially a creepy sham that might end up in everyone dying, or is propagated by essentially a "false prophet" which is using the flock and their money to make himself rich, or the "religion" advocates sexual, physical, and child abuse of their members, then it is a cult in the bad sense of the word.
2006-09-04 13:04:29 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
I think something is a "cult" when it is used to control one's mind. It seems when people get involved in cults, they appear to have no will of their own. It is massive mind control gone out of control, and it tend to flow in groups of people who are seeking to control others.
This may sound like Christianity, but it is not, yes, there are I believe some churchs that do this. But, now, there are far more churchs that believe in justice, and making things right globally. I do think there are some "far right" churchs that set a bad example for all churchs. Because they use the Bible as a tool to beat people up with it. When in fact, in simple, plan truth, the Bible is a history book, filled with the notion of only LOVE. That is the key element. If you attended a church that only says give up everything, follow me and hate others, it is the wrong church.
2006-09-04 12:58:56 · answer #5 · answered by Candy 2 · 5⤊ 0⤋
It was called a cult in it's beginnings.
Christianity that is.
The word cult comes from Occult which means hidden.
Generally the hiding comes in the form of rituals.
There was a super form of ritual magic in Egypt.
The medical insignia is an Egyptian symbol for magic. The staff and the snake wrapped around it. It comes from the time of Moses. It was one of the signs used by Moses and the magicians.
2006-09-04 12:56:38 · answer #6 · answered by chris p 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
A cult is a perversion of religion by a leader who brainwashes his/her followers until they believe only what they are told and can no longer think for themselves. Christians have, and use, the ability to think for ourselves. We follow Christ by choice, not brainwashing or coercion. Your thought processes are the product of you believing Satan's evil lies. He wants you to believe Christianity is a cult so that he can draw you into his web of deceit. I pray that you will resist his lies and ask Jesus into your life. God bless!
2006-09-04 13:14:10 · answer #7 · answered by celticwoman777 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are key signs to I.D a cult:
1. Abnormal peer pressure
2. Alienation of friends & family
3. Blind adherence to dogma
4. Food & sleep deprivation
I'm sure there are others, but always differentiate between a "cult", and a faith or practice that is different from the norm, i.e., hinduism vs. Jim Jones...
2006-09-04 12:59:16 · answer #8 · answered by toyoyo 3 · 3⤊ 1⤋
I would say that Christianity was a cult simply by how both myself and my husband were brought up. We were both brainwashed by our families and the church from a very young age. Brainwashing is what a cult is all about. We both had the sense to get out while we could at the expense of upsetting our families.
I have nothing against organised religion for others, it is just not for us.
2006-09-04 12:57:44 · answer #9 · answered by lollipoppett2005 6 · 3⤊ 3⤋
read the book Kindgdom of the Cults by Walter Martin
2006-09-04 12:49:12 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋