Can you differentiate a Cult vs Religion?

Question

Gary, you say:
"A cult uses intimidation and mind-control or brainwashing to keep members in line"

How is this different from Christianity and Islam?

Answer 1

Well, there is the dictionary definition, direct from the 2003 edition of Webster's...

Cult: n, from the Latin cultus, care, cultivation. 1. a system of religious worship or ritual. 2. devoted attachment to a person, principle, etc. 3. a sect

Religion: n, from the Latin religio, holiness. 1. belief in and worship of God or gods. 2. a specific system of belief, worship, etc., often involving a code of ethics.

There, in the second definition of Cult, that seems to tie both Cult and Religion together. So in a sense, all religions are cults simply on the basis that both have to do with a system of religious worship and ritual. But the definition of Religion itself doesn't really link itself to a Cult.

I suppose there's a slight and almost unnoticeable difference in the definition. I almost didn't catch it myself. A cult is a system of religious worship or ritual. A religion is a SPECIFIC system of worship and belief. So there's a very slight difference as a religion is more specific than a cult.

However, outside of dictionary definitions, I suppose there's that stereotype and assumption that a cult is less legitimate than a religion. Most people have an automatic image of compounds and mind control and "out there" beliefs in aliens or that some obvious nutball is supposedly Christ reborn when they hear the word "cult". But when those same people hear "religion", they think of crosses, mosques, shrines, that sort of thing.

Outside of stereotypes and generalizations, really, if you look at the dictionary, there's no difference. It's just that groups like Heaven's Gate and the like have a hard time being taken seriously as a legitimate religion when they feed into those radical stereotypes. To me, real religions aren't about control or compounds, nor will they ask you to give up all your possessions before you're asked to give up your life.

Real religions are about peace and unity in the world, not holing up in some secret, hidden little place in a corner of the world plotting a religious revolution.

Answer 2

A cult is defined by a small segment of society that is cut off from the rest of the world. A cult uses intimidation and mind-control or brainwashing to keep members in line. Most cults die off literally with the passage of time, some going to extremes such as mass suicides others just fading with time because of people leaving the cult. A religion is much different in that it is the people in the religion that spread the message and not controlled by one particular person, though sometimes it can seem like the institution of religion is controlling, but no one is bound by it, they are free to leave without consequence, well at least christianity, some others like Islam for example have extremists who put converts to death for leaving the religion, but that's the extreme.

Answer 3

Compare it to a sea. Religion is the body of water, cults are the undercurrents and random waves that stir things up. A cult is an extremist view of a religious position. A la Jim Jones, David Koresh, the riders of the haley comet, some 'sects' of the pentecostal arm of christianity. Etc

Answer 4

i've got continually felt that religions are cults that are institutionalized! Cults are religions that are actually not institutionalized yet. The harm the two forms of communities do to their individuals is severe. severe communities that take each thing from their individuals make the information. So we are greater acquainted with stuff like Heaven's Gate, Jonestown, and so on. Maxim mag in basic terms positioned out the best 4 runners for the subsequent Koresh: Chuck Anderson of the undertaking Academy. Yisrayl Hawkins of domicile of Yahweh. Raplh Stair of the Overcomer Ministry and Iichi Lee of Dahn Yoga I in basic terms approximately sense like taking some bets on which on will make detrimental national headlines first.

Answer 5

At one time Christianity was considered a cult because it was new and had a small following. So it seems it all depends on the popularity of the religion doesn't it?

Answer 6

Cults are usually very religious. If you mean Christianity, then it comes down to a test of the spirits (1 John 4), as to whether the group leader teaches the truth of Jesus Christ being God come down in human flesh, crucified for our sins, and raised from the dead (1 Cor 15).

Answer 7

Cults follow a man. Religions follow a God.

Answer 8

A religion is simply a culturally accepted cult.

Answer 9

Religions have different status in the IRS.

Answer 10

Number of believers, generally.