What is the difference between a cult and a religion?

Answer 1

This answer has been taken from the website below and I also think it's a very good explanation.
There are many different answers to this question, but the best one I've heard was from a man who worked full-time at rescuing and deprogramming cult members. (He was usually hired by their families.) He said that a religion teaches you how to be in the world, while a cult tries to take you out of the world. He explained that a religion gives its members guidance and support in how to survive and get along out in the world. And then he pointed out that 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. So far that's the only difference I've found that holds up in every case, and doesn't support someone calling another religion a "cult" just because they don't agree with it.

Answer 2

n 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. Some anthropologists and sociologists studying cults have 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[citation needed].

Answer 3

I should think a religion becomes established when there are more than a few people involved. No Christian or Muslim or any other follower of a large religion is going want to think they belong to a cult are they? So saying someone's in a cult is like they're a bit mad and have a few friends who are also potty.

Answer 4

Religion is merely a philosphy of who or what you feel responsible to in life. This can be something held very personal as an individual or it can be shared amongst other like minded people.

Religions become cults when the philosophies embodied are taken advantage of by someone in exchange for a seeming sense of security. Usually this is a leader who seems most passionate, if not admirably spiritual who justifies really ruthless behavior in the name of upholding the generally held standard, while at the same time (often consciously) promoting reckless behavior in the group of followers for the very same reason.

In summary, Ruthlessness and Recklessness are the signs of a Cult.

Answer 5

Ooh Good question.

Within a religious environment, family bonds are generally upheld, questioning of the leader and basic tenets is accepted, and the leader lives in a similar manner to the followers. You are offered all the information necessary to make an educated decision about joining, and once involved, people can choose the amount of involvement that feels right to them.

A cultic environment does not accept any questioning, and has a leader who claims to have an exalted position and to be above reproach. The cult is designed to solely advance its own goals and often uses fear and shame to manipulate the followers. It utilizes various techniques while recruiting new members and fundraising, often misuses scripture, and declares other belief systems as false. Because it is not under the umbrella of a recognized religion, there is no governing body and the leader is, therefore, free to do as he or she pleases.

Hope this is what you wanted.

Answer 6

As far as I'm concerned, religion is just a cult that's been ingrained in tradition. We all laugh at Scientology- but it's no more or less ridiculous than the teachings of Christianity.

I had to go to church this Easter with my grandparents, who are religious- It was a very uncomfortable experience. All I could think was how much it felt like a cult meeting, I was surrounded by brainwashed people and I was the only one who seemed to pick up on it...

I know that sounds OTT- it was just a C of E Easter Sunday service, but I was creeped out by the whole thing.

Answer 7

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.

Religion is a system of social coherence based on a common group of beliefs or attitudes concerning an object, person, unseen being, or system of thought considered to be supernatural, sacred, divine or highest truth, and the moral codes, practices, values, institutions, and rituals associated with such belief or system of thought. It is sometimes used interchangeably with "faith" or "belief system"[1], but is more socially defined than that of personal convictions.

Answer 8

Not too much, Religion kills people. Think about how many people over the centuries have lost thier lives for Religion and how many are now being taken in the name of Religion.

Cults are to be avoided, sucked in and brainwashed. Religion, cult, call it what you like innocent people will always die in the name of religion. Is this what YOUR God wanted, I dont think so.

Answer 9

a religion is what you were born into. and a cult is what you follow. most cults are made up by a group of people. whereas religion has been around for years.

Answer 10

Religion- you still have control of things like who you will sleep with and stuff- cults overstepp that boundary and say when you can eat And sleep... usually money is controlled too....Religion examples- Christianty-Pagan-Jewish-Muslim....
Cults-David Koresh, All of those little cults like Oneida's ( they made their money from silversmithing, but when the religion part was found to be bunk- they kept the silversmith and nowdays make silverware!) from the 18oo's mostly disguied as "communities."