I know the similarities, but I am interested in the differences. I was conditioned to believe many things while growing up. Some of which I know to be false, example: The Easter Bunny....
2006-09-04 16:50:08 · 14 answers · asked by James007 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
"The only difference between a cult and a religion is the amount of real estate they own." [Frank Zappa]
2006-09-04 16:58:02 · answer #1 · answered by AiW 5 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Any thought process or teaching involves some kind of mental conditioning. God gave us a brain, and if it is used correctly can think of great and wonderful things and learn some deeper truths. When the mind is polluted it is conditioned the wrong way. So when Chrsitians read the Bible they are conditioning thier minds to think on things that are pure and good. Cults also imitate this process, but most cults use some form of negative re-inforcement, like shame, guilt, peer pressure, and even sometimes threats depending on the cult. Other cults don't have mind conditioning in the negative sense, they are just simply wrong. There is wrong, and right, the only way to tell is to read the Bible. The Easter Bunny is something that children like to believe in, like Santa Claus and other fairy tales. Adults grow out of believing in these things. Even if you told your child there is no Santa Claus they still want to believe it. The kind of conditioning behind Santa Claus is a sort of materialism. So whenever there is some kind of belief that is not real, there always is some negative aspect that is drawing you away from what is right. The lies sometimes very closely resemble the truth. Even so called Christians can believe for the wrong reason, using thier sense of pride, dignity, guilt, etc. I believe that just going to the right church doesn't make you right or wrong. There are people in almost all deminations that are real Christians, and there are plenty of just churchgoers out there that have other motives for going to church and calling themselves Christians. Many Christias use peer pressure to get thier relatives to believe. It's sad to see that, because the faith must come from the heart of the believer. It's a confusing world out there, and there are decievers and liars out there. Wolves in Sheep's clothing.
2006-09-05 00:05:18 · answer #2 · answered by The Bible (gives Hope) 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
A common characteristic of cults is the use of mind control. It is introduced and used on members gradually. There are four qualities that are specific to cult mind control . The first characteristic is that cults have strict rules of living. They may dictate how a member must dress, and what they may read or music they may listen to. They may not be allowed to have former relationships. The second is thought control. The member is taught to avoid having thoughts of personal reflection by using such techniques as mantras. Third is emotional control. The individual is made to feel guilty and full of shame for having any negative thoughts against the cult. A typical enforcement is to say that they are siding with the devil and not God by having these thoughts. The fourth aspect is information control. Incoming information through the media is frequently controlled. Incoming information may be only special material printed by the cult specifically for the members
Religion teaches you how to be in the world, while a cult tries to take you out of the world. religion gives its members guidance and support in how to survive and get along out in the world. cults always try to isolate their members from the world. Cults want their members to live together, usually in isolation, and break off all contact with friends or family who aren't also members of the cult.
2006-09-05 00:29:01 · answer #3 · answered by purpleaura1 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I am probably what many would call a "religious fanatic", but I am that way because I choose to be. Nobody is making me choose it. I have been searching the Word of God for 30 years and finding more and more answers and growing to become a more whole person, content with who i am and using more of my intelligence than ever before. I have learned how to be "Fully Alive"
I have met people in cults. They are profoundly insecure and dependent on the cult. They are often put through traditional "brain washing techniques". Like sleep deprivation, food deprivation, taken out of their environment that they are used to and given new clothes to wear so that they only identify with the cult. It is not life giving but trains them to be meek and depend ant. You may see some Christians in this condition, but USUALLY(not always) it is because they are fairly recently out of the world and still are very wounded by the world.
2006-09-04 23:54:54 · answer #4 · answered by Makemeaspark 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
A "cult" is potentially a new religion, but most die (often through mass suicides).
A religion is a cult that has survived a couple generations and has lots of members.
Scientology will always be a cult.
2006-09-04 23:52:54 · answer #5 · answered by sheeple_rancher 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Cults tend to have a Male/Human Leader who is worshipped or near worshipped.
2006-09-04 23:53:38 · answer #6 · answered by whynotaskdon 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
cults typically attempt to ISOLATE a member from their family, take their belongings and subject a new member to "brainwashing" techniques such as sleep deprivation, food denial and "love-bombing"
2006-09-04 23:59:19 · answer #7 · answered by R J 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A religion is a cult with money and political clout.
2006-09-04 23:56:14 · answer #8 · answered by shortchanged 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Nothing, but some brainwash better than others.
Tammi Dee
2006-09-04 23:53:06 · answer #9 · answered by tammidee10 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Anything that isnt Christian is considered a CULT period. Christian umbrellas Baptist, Evengelical, Protestant, Catholic etc.
Jews are blamed for killing Jesus but but for being the chosen ones as it clearly states in the Christian bible.
2006-09-04 23:56:17 · answer #10 · answered by C F 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋