Do you think the word " cult " is misused?

Question

It seems like when someone doesn't agree with other religions, they call them a cult.

It is people like Don H that I think misuse the term " cult ".

Answer 1

Yes, the word "cult" is misused. If someone doesn't understand or agree with a group of people's practices, they call it a cult without even trying to find out about them. People need to open their minds to new and different things. Just because you don't do, doesn't mean that it is wrong...

Answer 2

A cult is a relatively small cohesive group of people devoted to beliefs or practices that the surrounding culture or society considers to be far outside the mainstream. We frequently use the term as part of a negative description, when it need not be. It is true that some groups that teach what is unacceptable in the mainstream are commonly referred to as a cult. From that persons point of view that may be true and a correct use of the word. If they mean that being part of a cult is bad they may have misused the word. Ignorance is everywhere !

Answer 3

Sometimes the usage of the word cult is misused but of course it depends on who is classifying what as a cult.

From a fundamental Christian perspective, when the term cult is used it is generally in reference to a group that carries the label Christian that denies the fundamental beliefs of historical Christianity.

The criteria that classifies a "Christian" group as a cult are as follows.

1. The denial of the bible alone as the final authority on matters of doctrine.

2. The denial of the triune nature of God. Example, the denial of Jesus and/or the Holy Spirit as the second and third person of the trinity.

3. The denial of salvation as a free gift by the grace of God.

There are other criteria but these three basic elements are what distinguishes a "Christian" cult from biblical Christianity.

Answer 4

The word 'cult' is generally taken to mean all religions that are outside of the basic beliefs of traditional Christianity. Those who think that people who disagree with them are in cults are mistaken. You may be in a cult and not know it. Just because someone taught you something does not mean it is correct. You need to measure it against something tried and true. That is why Christians measure their beliefs against the Bible. If people teach you one thing and the Bible teaches you something else, what people teach could be a cult. It takes good scholarship and study to seek the truth in the Bible. Glib answers based on hearsay are not enought to prove anything. Experience is not even good enough. Feeling can change with the wind. You need a solid foundation and the Bible provided that for those willing to search its depths using proper study techniques.

Answer 5

Definitions of cult :

adherents of an exclusive system of religious beliefs and practices
fad: an interest followed with exaggerated zeal; "he always follows the latest fads"; "it was all the rage that season"
a system of religious beliefs and rituals; "devoted to the cultus of the Blessed Virgin"


From that, I'd say no. Pretty much all religions are cults. Cults that are created just to rob believers from their money have tainted that term, but religion is essentially a cult nonetheless.

Answer 6

As an Occultist I wholeheartedly agree.

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

It does not say devil worshipper, Jehova Witness, Or anyone specifically for that matter. Furthermore a.ll religions started as Cults. There are no exceptions.

I am a Cultist of the Occult tradition. Making me most formally known as an Occultist.

Hails to the hidden truth,
Silence

Answer 7

I have used the word cult misused quite often, but I have a resource to check for cult activity.

Answer 8

By the definition.... every religion can be considered a cult.

The literal and traditional meanings of the word cult is derived from the Latin cultus, meaning "care" or "adoration", as "a system of religious belief or ritual; or: the body of adherents to same"

You judge is it misused or misunderstood?

Answer 9

The word "cult" has a really bad rap...ever since Jim Jones and the Moonies have hit the news, we throw around that word and label all pseudo and quasi-Christian faiths with it.

I work the other way...if your faith agrees with the definitions and theologies established by the Bible; you feel that Jesus Christ is God the Son, of the same substance and in full unity with God the Father and God the Holy Spirit, and call upon the sacrifice of Jesus at Calvary as a blood atonement for the sins of the world, you are Christian. If your theology or definition of Christian disagrees with any one or all of the above, or your theology defines Jesus differently than the above, you are not a Christian.

If you are not a Christian, and you use the words that Christians use, you subscribe to a pseudo-Christian or quasi-Christian faith. You may share our moral code, or our work ethic, or our attitude toward humanity, but you are not a Christian.

You always have our respect and love, but we just disagree with you...I disagree with my own mother, too, but I still honor and love her as Mom.

PS Christians, please pray for her...thanks.

Answer 10

The word Cult means - religious sect or religious practice or devotion. We have, however given it a different connotation. When we verbalize it we make it sound like a bad thing. It has therefor become "understood" that a cult is a bad thing.