When is it a cult and when is it "organized religion"?
2006-11-12 19:00:10 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Definition of "cult"
In sociology: a group having a sacred ideology and a set of rites centering around their sacred symbols.
OR a religion or sect considered to be false, unorthodox, or extremist, with members often living outside of conventional society under the direction of a charismatic leader.
In other words - SOCIETY dictates whether or not it is a cult.
2006-11-12 19:34:26 · answer #1 · answered by kristalshyt 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Some would say there is a fine line between the two. You could say a cult is brain washing but then again so is school. Religion ostracized people who do not conform, but so does society. From my Social psych class the only determining factor that stayed constant for a cult was a cult holds you against your will and usual wants you to hurt someone or yourself where as church usual does not ask their participants to engage in such behavior. However there are religious wars that have been going for............ fueled by fundamentalist philosophy............ a very touchy subject to get into.
2006-11-12 19:06:45 · answer #2 · answered by Ben V 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Not liking a religion makes it a cult. Liking a cult makes it a religion.
2006-11-12 19:19:35 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
First this is NOTHING against anyones relationship with God, but A cult is defined as A group or persons putting A man or Anything as to worship it or him in place of God, for example the largest cult in There is a religous group, the world largest that puts a man as its head, that says a man has the right to forgive sins which is a lie and in direct conflict with The Holy Bible that teaches Jesus Christ is THE ONLY WAY to the Father. Its headquarters is in Rome I believe. God bless. Learn more www.itiswritten.com talk to me also wgr88@yahoo.com bible questions www.bibleinfo.com
2006-11-12 19:06:07 · answer #4 · answered by wgr88 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
when you're literally not likely to bypass with the popular definition of cult as being a "device of non secular beliefs and practices", i'd outline a religious cult not through length as there are minority religions obtainable that i does not evaluate "cult" communities (alongside with the Asatru and different Reconstructionist Pagans). "Cult" religions percentage various without delay ahead residences. they have a unmarried-minded concentration on a charismatic chief, demonize "unbelievers" and oftentimes dictate the on a daily basis movements of the club. through this definition, atheists are literally not a cult, Hellenic Polythiests are literally not a cult, although the folk's Temple contained in the 1970's replaced right into a cult and the Westboro "Baptists" are a cult. it isn't a length project, that's a administration project
2016-11-23 19:06:22 · answer #5 · answered by watkin 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In the most generic sense, a cult is simply a "group". In the more commonly used sense, however, a cult is a group that, by virtue of its unorthodox beliefs, is outside of the realm of orthodox Christianity.
Most cults will deny either the Trinity (that there is one God, eternally existant in three Persons) and/or Salvation by grace through faith alone. Most cults deny both of these essential doctrines (ie. Jehovah's Witnesses, Mormons, etc.)
2006-11-13 01:25:34 · answer #6 · answered by 5solas 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The only difference between a cult and organized religion is the amount of real estate they own.
2006-11-12 19:02:49 · answer #7 · answered by Black Parade Billie 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
A movement that does not allow for freedom of thought in regard to the basic premises upheld by the movement. Most cults use "brainwashing" techniques to remove freedom of thought.
2006-11-12 19:03:01 · answer #8 · answered by Just Me 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The dictionary defines a cult.
Religion is a cult. You needn't read further than your favorite dictionaries to find this out.
2006-11-12 19:07:56 · answer #9 · answered by ismavatar 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Christianity and Islam are the worlds biggest cults.....They both worship a charismatic leader...Jesus and Muhummad respectively
2006-11-12 19:16:41 · answer #10 · answered by dharmabear 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋