What's the difference between a religion and a cult?

Question

Not saying religions are cults but I just want to know the difference.

Answer 1

I see little difference since they have all lost their primary focus on salvation for money and power

Answer 2

The concept behind a religion is that of spiritual fulfillment, non-materialism, charity, and love. Most religions theoretically promote discussion and scholarship, and historically many of the great universities in Europe were associated with the Church and many of the great learning centres in the Middle East associated with Islam. Though, of course, there are many individuals and leaders within all faiths that do not abide by these ideals, they are, in fact the essence of all legitimate religions in existence today.

Cults, on the other hand, exist primarily for the ego and pocketbooks of its leaders, and promotes a rigid, incontestable dogma. True, their beliefs deviate from societal norms, but a genuine cult is an exploitative organization.

The line between religions and cults is incredibly blurry and there are some groups within legitimate religions that have taken on far more cult-like characteristics

Answer 3

A cult is counterfeit Christianity. It is an imitation of real Christianity. Bible terms like "Jesus Christ", "Resurrection", Salvation" and "atonement" are used by the cult, but entirely different meaning have been assigned to these terms by the various cult groups.
Like counterfeit money which is sometimes difficult to detect, so it is difficult to detect counterfeit Christianity, since it looks like the real thing. Experts examining counterfeit money often hold it up to a strong light and look for identifying marks. Counterfeit Christianity also has identifying marks which can be seen when held up to an even stronger light, the light of God's word, the Bible.
We are repeatedly warned in Scripture to watch out for false prophets, false teachers, and false doctrine. To do this, we need to examine the prophecies, teachings, and doctrines of the various groups claiming to be Christian, and then we need to expose them.
For further information and a list of the current cults you can contact MacGregor Ministries.

Answer 4

Religion:
Is a group of organized religion that refers to a specific religion (not a cult.)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religion
Understand the Cult:
https://www.cbn.com/spirituallife/ChurchAndMinistry/Evangelism/Understanding_Cults.aspx

Answer 5

A cult is generally a group whose teachings deviate from the mainstream religious group that they claim to belong to.

Answer 6

Religions collect money, cults collect guns.

Answer 7

The number of followers is the only difference between the two.

Answer 8

I would say a cult is when your focus is off the reason you serve but the man who teaches...

Answer 9

None. They are all cults.

Technically though, it's tax-exempt status that religions get, and cults don't.

Answer 10

Generally the point of view of the opposite faction.