2006-09-09 10:16:35 · 12 answers · asked by Axel ∇ 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
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
Sect
1 a : a dissenting or schismatic religious body; especially : one regarded as extreme or heretical b : a religious denomination
2 archaic : SEX 1
3 a : a group adhering to a distinctive doctrine or to a leader
A sect is the harmful groups commonly mistaken as cultists.
Religion
1 a : the state of a religious b (1) : the service and worship of God or the supernatural (2) : commitment or devotion to religious faith or observance
2 : a personal set or institutionalized system of religious attitudes, beliefs, and practices
3 archaic : scrupulous conformity : CONSCIENTIOUSNESS
4 : a cause, principle, or system of beliefs held to with ardor and faith
Religion is the art of faith. All cults are religions. In fact all religions had to start as cults. Sects are subcultures of religions and cults that take the teachings to their most extreme. they are commonly coined Zealots.
Hails to the Truth,
Silence
2006-09-09 15:31:10 · answer #1 · answered by Silent One 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Well, "sect" and "cult" are two totally different things -- baptists are a christian sect, with no negative connotation of the word.
Cults are generally defined as following an individual's instructions rather than a broader body of religious dogma and or history. That makes "moonies" a cult for following every whim of reverend moon, but not catholics as there's a large canon of catholic religious law and thought that supersedes whatever current pope is in office.
Personally, I think all religions are "cults," since they all trace back to some individual (jesus, mohammed, buddha, etc.) who layed out a doctrine and used charisma and personality to attract followers...but most religious thinkers don't agree with me :)
2006-09-09 10:22:22 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
i will purely answer from a Christian attitude and those factors do no longer symbolize a definition: - a million. they're an abrupt smash from Christian, or parent, custom 2. They emphasise as truths teachings which different communities regard as minor 3. there's a tendency to perfectionism 4. they have one extra scriptural source of authority 5. They complicate the approach with the help of which we are saved. 6. they have an inclination to devalue the classic place of Christ 7. They declare exclusivity for their group 8. they have a stable place while thinking relating to the top of time particular solutions to what you asked: - Mormonism is a cult Scientology - don't comprehend Islam is a faith no longer a cult Paganism is a determination of concepts which i will't classify Atheism isn't a cult Christianity is a faith now yet began as a cult in Judaism As a Christian I learn and rejoice our Jewish roots.
2016-11-07 00:04:11 · answer #3 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
a cult takes away free will. A cult tells you to believe what they believe, and does not let you think for yourself.
I'm catholic, but we are not required to believe EVERYTHING catholics belive. Only certain dogmas (which there are a lot...). However, that doesn't mean protestants are a cult. We don't believe protestants are necessarily going to hell.
A sect, is just that. section. A branch off of one faith. Still connected somehow by belief. Yet they differ in different things.
2006-09-09 10:24:13 · answer #4 · answered by nathancarson23 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
One sure way to tell is that cults will require the converts to turn everything over to the cult... all their money, stocks, property etc. In return the cult promises to take care of them and their needs.
Even if the person stays in their own home, the cult will eventually take all the person's money by selling them promises to advance to another level or to buy indulgences, etc.
It's the money... cults are even more money hungry than TV preachers.
2006-09-09 10:21:39 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
A cult is a "religion", made by a human being. Jehovah Witness' follow Russell, Muslims follow Muhammad, Mormons follow Smith?, Buddhists follow Buddha, etc, etc. A sect is an offshoot of a religion, Shiite Muslim etc, from Islam; Baptist, Methodist, etc, from Christianity.
2006-09-09 11:32:06 · answer #6 · answered by mitch 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A cult is any religion, smaller than your own, that is more successful at attracting and maintaining converts than your own religion.
Cults are usually described as harmful to their followers, cutting them off from loved ones. However, the same could be said for any religion, given the right circumstances.
2006-09-09 10:19:42 · answer #7 · answered by NHBaritone 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
That's a very good question. Personally I think a cult is a religion formed to profitable to a person or persons and has beliefs that have stark differences and very contradictory and criminal behaviors!!!
2006-09-09 10:21:38 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
My personal definition of a cult is - Any denomination that isn't your own.
2006-09-09 17:30:56 · answer #9 · answered by BibleProphecyOnTheWeb 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I use two tests.. Any church, bible study, reading room, etc that has these two markers are cultic...
1. Extra Biblical Revelation
2. Strong centralize Leadership that make all the decisions for the group as a whole... Jim
2006-09-09 10:34:30 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋