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.
Is Christianity small? recently founded? outside the mainstream?
No. Therefore it is not a cult by definition. Perhaps think of another word to use with which to radically insult this religion, so as not to look assinine.
Agree?? Disagree??
Acknowlege this, or just turn a deaf ear and cry "cult" ??
Blessings,
David
2006-11-24 11:16:44 · 16 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Every cult can be defined as a group having all of the following five characteristics:
1.It uses psychological coercion to recruit, indoctrinate and retain its members
2.It forms an elitist totalitarian society.
3.Its founder leader is self-appointed, dogmatic, messianic, not accountable and has charisma.
4.It believes 'the end justifies the means' in order to solicit funds recruit people.
5.Its wealth does not benefit its members or society.
Christianity does not qualify.
2006-11-25 11:55:17 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 0⤋
In it's earliest days Christianity was indeed a cult... as a matter of fact it was a number of cults that eventually figured out what it was they were going to believe in and only became a legitimate religion after it was accepted by an emperor.
Today one would be wrong in classifying Christianity as a cult (by definition) since it now is a mainstream religion. However one cannot deny the cult roots of the religion... every religion for that matter. A religion is no more than a "mature" cult.
2006-11-24 11:31:43 · answer #2 · answered by ChooseRealityPLEASE 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think Christianity is a cult, but I do think there are cults within Christianity. Sects that break off and introduce a new - strange belief. Think David Koresh and his followers giving him their teenaged daughters as wives so he could father the second coming of Christ. Uh - yeah - that was freaky. There are some churches that do try to maintain power over the members and brainwash them.
But for the most part - you can find strange (cultish) behavior in just about every religion because jerks and crazy people are still that regardless their beliefs.
So personally I would not say Christianity in and of itself is a cult.
2006-11-24 11:22:56 · answer #3 · answered by swordarkeereon 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
You took that straight from wikipedia, conveniently ignored the word "often", and conveniently also ignored further reference in the same source passage, namely:
The literal and traditional meanings of the word cult is derived from the Latin cultus, meaning "care" or "adoration", as "a system of religious belief or ritual; or: the body of adherents to same"
Have you forgotten that Jesus and the 12 disciples was a "small movement, outside the mainstream" at the time he llived? That IS a cult by the limited definition you gave. What changed it? time? number of adherents? I think not.
Just because the word cult has negative connotations in today's usage, does not mean christianity is not a cult. It is, by definition.
Typical christian tactics to take parts of passages and misrepresent them to suit your own purposes. Face it, christianity is a cult, by definition. So is every other religion, including mine.
2006-11-24 11:33:00 · answer #4 · answered by Squirrley Temple 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
"a cult is a cohesive group of people...devoted to beliefs or practices that the surrounding culture or society considers to be far outside the mainstream."
Sounds like the Marine Corps!
2006-11-24 11:18:34 · answer #5 · answered by blueprairie 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
A cult usually has false prophets that preach falsehoods. The Old Testament prophets talk of the coming of Christ and He did. Therefore it is based on truth.The prophesies of the OT were born out in the New Testament. Cults are based on lies and they usually worship a living person or even one that has died. Christ was God that came in the form of man, He lived, died, and rose to Heaven when He will return again. Not lies, truths, which will come to pass one day.The cults teachings will not come to pass, and their leaders will die and not return. Plus, they make no claims to return.
2006-11-24 11:45:06 · answer #6 · answered by angel 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Born Again Christians are a recent phenomenon with ideas outside the mainstream historical Christian religions. They are the only ones who center their attention on Jesus aggrandizing his importance.
I do not know what percentage of the entire population buys into this newfangled interpretation of Christianity,but I am sure they are the most vociferous.
So, 2 (or a possible 3) out of 3 is evidence enough for me
2006-11-24 11:22:31 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
What dictionary did you use?
Random House:
1. A particular system of religious worship.
2. Intense devotion to a person ideal or thing
3. Such a group bound together by devotion.
2006-11-24 11:21:13 · answer #8 · answered by Bad Buddhist 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
to answer honestly.....
i think that it would be considered a cult in many places where it is not the " norm " or it does not have large numbers ...
by the same respect ... in other places different religions are the main religion but also called a cult by others who do not see them as a true religion
2006-11-24 11:20:36 · answer #9 · answered by Peace 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It's spelled "asinine",and you left out the part about how the followers center around a charismatic leader who they see as a conduit to God or invest with God-like properties,when you include the entire definition ,yes Christianity is a cult.
2006-11-24 11:29:25 · answer #10 · answered by Lee K 1 · 3⤊ 0⤋