Aren't Christians the smartest son of a guns who ever lived?

Question

Think about it... they created a bulletproof system of control.

1) A set of rules that can't be proved, contradicted, denied or changed.

2) Sanctions and rewards that rely on the two most basic desires of humans, suffering and eternal bliss.

3) A supreme authority figure that that can never be researched, examined, questioned or forced to appear.

4) Guarantees that are based on complete and utter submission.

The scary thing is, these are the exact same features we find in another classical system of social control.... THE CULT.

Answer 1

All religions--those that are, those that were, those that have yet to be--are cults.

"Perhaps the most confusing and dangerous religious term is "Cult". The word is derived from the French word "culte" which came from Latin noun "cultus." The latter is related to the Latin verb "colere" which means "to worship or give reverence to a deity." Thus, in its original meaning, the term "cult" can be applied to any group of religious believers: Southern Baptists or Mormons, Jehovah's Witnesses or Catholics, Hindus or Muslims.

However, the term has since been assigned at least eight new and very different meanings. The original meaning of "cult" remains positive; more recent definitions are neutral, negative, or extremely negative:

~~ Positive Meaning:
Theological usage: Oxford English Dictionary defined "cult" as: "worship; reverential homage rendered to a divine being or beings"
"a particular form or system of religious worship; especially in reference to its external rites and ceremonies"
"devotion or homage to a particular person or thing."

This is the historical meaning of the word, but is rarely today heard outside of religious circles. A reference to the "Cult of Mary" appeared in a newspaper report on the Pope's 1999 visit to the Americas. It simply means that the Pope devotes special attention to the Virgin Mary.

~~ Cultural usage:
The word is often associated with cult films, cult bands, or cult TV programs. Here, the term "cult" refers to a small but devoted following of a movie, entertainment group or television program. Avid supporters of Star Trek may be referred to as devoted cultists.

~~ Neutral Meanings:
Sociological usage: A small religious group that exists in a state of tension with the predominant religion. Hinduism might be considered a cult in North America; Christianity might be considered a cult in India.

Additional sociological usage: An innovative, fervent religious group, as contrasted with more established and conventional sects and denominations.

The Observer: An English newspaper seemed to use the term to refer to any small religious group, no matter what its age or teachings.

General religious usage: A small, recently created, religious organization which is often headed by a single charismatic leader and is viewed as an spiritually innovative group. A cult in this sense may simply be a new religious movement on its way to becoming a denomination. The Christian religion, as it existed in 30 CE might be considered a cult involving one leader and 12 or 70 devoted disciples as followers. The Mormon denomination was started in the 19th century by Joseph Smith and a few followers; it has grown to become an established denomination in excess of ten million members.

~~Negative Meanings:
Evangelical Christian and Counter-Cult Movement usage: Any religious group which accepts most but not all of the historical Christian doctrines (the divinity of Jesus, virgin birth, the Trinity, salvation, etc.). The implication is that the cult's theology is invalid; they teach heresy. Under this definition, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the Mormons), Unification Church and Jehovah's Witnesses to be cults. But they would not classify Wicca as such, because it is not associated with Christianity.

The earliest use of this meaning of the word "Cult" is believed to be a 1938 book "The Chaos of the Cults" by J.K. VanBaalen. On the other hand, new religious groups such as the Mormons, Unification Church and Jehovah's Witnesses generally regard themselves to be the true Christian church. They view all other denominations as being in error. Thus, one groups true church is another group's cult.

Fundamentalist Christian usage: Some Fundamentalists would accept the Evangelical definition of cult defined above. Others might brand any religious group which deviates from historical Protestant Christian beliefs as a cult. This definition would include the Mormon Church, Wicca, mainline and liberal Christian denominations, Islam, Hinduism, and all of the other religions of the world. Over 70% of humanity would belong to cults, by this definition.

Mental Health Groups and anti-cult movement usage: A small number of therapists, research psychologists, self-taught individuals, etc., form the anti-cult movement (ACM) They attempt to raise public consciousness about what they see as dangerous and authoritarian mind control cults and doomsday cults. Many do not care about the faith group's theology. They target only what they see as deceptive practices, and dangerous psychological pressure techniques, such as brainwashing, and appear to hold opinions about the effectiveness of brainwashing that are not shared by the mental-health community generally. They see mind control/doomsday cults as a widespread social problem.

~~ Very negative meaning:
Popular, media usage: (very negative meaning) a small, evil religious group, often with a single charismatic leader, which engages in brainwashing and other mind control techniques, believes that the end of the world is imminent, and collects large amounts of weaponry in preparation for a massive war.

Often used as a synonym for mind control religious group or for doomsday cult. The earliest use of this meaning of the word is believed to have been in a 1965 book by Walter Martin "The Kingdom of the Cults"."


The word 'cult', as i understand and use it, is essentially meaningless.

Answer 2

From what I've heard that happens a lot with people who are "new" or newly returned Christians. You want so much to "do right by God" you start to feel guilty about almost everything that isn't directly related to the church that you find pleasure in. Like, "maybe that long bubble-bath was wrong, I could have spent that time praying or doing (fill in the blank) for the church today". Or an argument or bad feeling about someone makes you feel horrible, as if the label "Christian" means that you have to always be kind and understanding with everyone no matter what. No one is perfect, and if anyone in existence knows that its God. He made us to have all of the feelings that we do after all. The world is troubled, but it has always been and will likely always be until the end of it. God offers us help to get through it because God knows exactly how difficult it is. Try to remember God doesn't expect perfection, only that we try to do the best that we can. And that when we learn to do better, we do better. Try not to feel "convicted" about so many things. If you have questions about whether or not you should do something, or are having problems dealing with a particularly difficult person or situation, a part of figuring it out could be prayer and meditation. That's one of the best things about having a personal relationship with God. If you've got problems, just ask! Meanwhile, try not to be so hard on yourself. God understands what its like to have to live in this world.

Answer 3

I like the examination of the concept,only problem is the use of the word Cult,since Christianity is also really just another cult. In its origins the word cult could be used to describe any religious group,it's only in modern times that it's become associated with some nutcase group. Before that it simply described a group of people bound together by a common set of beliefs/religious practices. It was a very general word,now it's used to define the difference between the accepted religions and less accepted religions(cults) I always discourage it's use because it becomes a popularity contest. All religious teachings you adhere to make you part of a cult,much of the modern description is simply a way to attack those with less accepted belief systems,I say if you want to worship the flying spaghetti monster that's just as valid as worshiping Christ,as long as you're not hurting anyone else which is more than can be said for many of the "accepted" religions of the world.

Answer 4

Christians did not create that system.
It was invented first by a witch doctor, in a primitive tribe in Africa, at some 200,000 years ago and maybe long before that. he declared that the tribe should serve a super lion, or tiger, or elephant, or giant tree. this was the forefather of all religions.
It was slowly perfected generation by generation, by tribal Shamans, and as civilizations started to emerge in the middle east, far east and everywhere else, by those who were the spiritual descendants of the early witch doctors / Shamans, they reinvented the super lion/elephant in more sophisticated forms and recreated the rules upon which these super beings should be served.
Christians are new on the scene, less than 2000 years from the establishment of the christian organization in eastern Rome - Constantinople, but are not the last who came up with a new version of religion.
the funny thing is , religions evolves, following the rule of survival of the fittest, but the laws of evolution are the main risk for the continued survival of religions.

Answer 5

The Christian rules, and the 10 commandments are contradicted all the time! they're ignored, belittled and made a mockery of. Seems to me that it's an AWFUL lot of work to go through all of that for a supreme authority that's as non-existent as you say He is. Atheists sure do waste alot of breath huffing and puffing about the fact that we're silly to believe....well, call it pascal's wager if you will, but I'd rather place my eternal soul on a God who created me than on the happenstance they foolishly buy into. Submission? Yes indeed...ever see a spoiled child that was a happy one? I haven't. All the happy children I've seen were those who listened to and obeyed their parents and had a loving relationship with them. So if that makes you feel pity for me, darlin', I sure won't lose any sleep over it!

Answer 6

Yeah Christians are great. I was raised roman catholic and went to catholic schools all my life. In high school they were teaching us how to identify a cult with this list of 10 questions, well my friends and I applied it to the Catholic church, and low and behold 9 of them applied. When we asked your teacher about it, who happened to be a priest, he would not answer and changed to subject instead.

Answer 7

It is good to find one who knows the greatness of the Christian Truth. I also own a Cult .45 caliber.. they are a good gun. God inspired thje Consitution and the second amendmant! It is the RIGHT TO BEAR ARMS!

Answer 8

Hallelujah! Praise the Name of Jesus!
God Bless you Print!
Have a blessed day!

Answer 9

And the first followers of Jesus were known as the CULT.

Answer 10

That's a slightly interesting point, but many organizations have this same set up going...like my job! LOL