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

Question

i know what a religion is but i want to know what makes a cult a cult? like what are the guidelines to categorize it a cult? also could you give me an example? thank u!

Answer 1

Every cult meets all 5 criteria:

(1) It uses psychological coercion to recruit, indoctrinate & retain its members.
(2) It forms an elitist totalitarian society.
(3) Its founder leader is self-appointed, dogmatic, messianic, not accountable & 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.

Cult information - http://www.cultinformation.org.uk/faq.html#cult

Answer 2

One is a six and the other is a half-dozen. Kidding.
The word "cult" has not always had the negative connotation that it has now. Modern usage indicates that "religion" might be good, but "cults" are always bad. The bad things that are indicated are a totalitarian approach- cult members are sometimes encouraged to give all their worldly belongings to the cult, live communally with the cult, to consider the cult's leader to be the member's personal master and to allow no influences outside of the cult. And often in "cults" an intensive form of training can result in a type of brainwashing.
Religions can do the same. That's what makes cults so dangerous. To a person who comes under the influence of a cult, it can seem like true religion- full of lofty ideals, total commitments, deeply personal teachings and a community of fellow believers.
This may not apply to EVERY case, but it seems like the most dangerous cults have a single, living leader and a single place where the group's activities are focused. The most dangerous cults encourage members to live and work at the leader's facility.
From the inside, it probably looks just like being one of the 12 apostles.

Answer 3

Biblically, a cult may be defined as those that have added to, changed, or eliminated those things that are considered the fundamentals of Bible doctrine. This would include those that follow another God, another Jesus, another Gospel, or another way of salvation. This could include those that do not confess that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh-ref 1 Jn 4:2,3; 2 Jn 7 or do not believe there is ONE GOD-ref Mal 2:10; Mk 12:32; Ro 3:30; 1 Cor 8:6; Eph 4:6; 1 Tim 2:5; Ja 2:19. The ONE GOD is manifested in three, eternally existing Persons: God the Father, and God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit-ref Mt 28:19; 1 Jn 5:7.
The bigger a cult is, the more credibility it seems to have in this sinful world.

Answer 4

Cults use mind control and brain washing. they usually demonize anyone who criticizes them. They have a charismatic leader or follow a person living or dead who was very charismatic.

Cults say one thing to draw you in, but it is a different story after you are hooked.

Type cults in any search engine and many websites come up, most are religious sites trying to say that Jehovah's Witness, Mormons and other religions they disapprove of are cults, which most are, but a cult can be other things also.

Basically, if you disagree with their doctrine and dare to think for yourself and are demonized, chances are you are in a cult.

One good sign of a cult is if people defend brain washing by saying my mind needed a good washing.

There are official guidelines defining cults and the ones I listed are a few, but are actually my experiences with cults.

Answer 5

Main Entry: cult
Pronunciation: 'k<
Function: noun
Usage: often attributive
Etymology: French & Latin; French culte, from Latin cultus care, adoration, from colere to cultivate -- more at WHEEL
1 : formal religious veneration : WORSHIP
2 : a system of religious beliefs and ritual; also : its body of adherents
3 : a religion regarded as unorthodox or spurious; also : its body of adherents
4 : a system for the cure of disease based on dogma set forth by its promulgator
5 a : great devotion to a person, idea, object, movement, or work (as a film or book); especially : such devotion regarded as a literary or intellectual fad b : the object of such devotion c : a usually small group of people characterized by such devotion

There ya go. Every religion "technically" falls under a cult. Though many use it as a demeaning term towards those who follow a specific belief in a more fanatical sense. Cults merely consist of a body of people who follow a person, ideal, or general religious belief. So anyone who follows christ and his teachings would be considered in a cult.

Answer 6

In a religion, usually the people really think that they belief in a higher power of some kind, and that they're direction comes from this higher power, but it is always they're free will whether or not to follow that power.

If it is not a power that they belief in, then sometimes what holds them together are a set of beliefs which they consider noble and worth following with free will.

In a cult, little by little, so that you don't notice, the head of the cult takes over as that higher power. Then you have real trouble. They think they are God then, and all free will is gone from the people. He thinks they must only follow him, or her.

There are consequences for those who do not follow. Getting away can be very difficult.

One really big example is the Jim Jones masacre on British Giahna, when he told his followers to take communion, and it was poisin. They were slaughtered onmass.

Answer 7

The general difference is that when there enough people involved in a certain belief, especially if they have political power, then it's called a religion. If it is a small group of people who practice the belief, especially if they stay together and don't mix too much, it's called a cult. You can make a more fine-tuned definition, but it would be stretching it. Cults are looked down on by the general society, but, remember, during Roman times Christianity was a cult which the Romans tried to eradicate.

We are fortunate to live in a time when we can have our beliefs and if they aren't popular, we won't be put to death by the majority.

Answer 8

How widespread it is. For instance Voodoo may seem like a cult but is officially a religion. There are more than 6 million practioners in several countries around the world.

Answer 9

American Heritage Dictionary -
cult

1. a. A religion or religious sect generally considered to be extremist or false, with its followers often living in an unconventional manner under the guidance of an authoritarian, charismatic leader.
1. b. The followers of such a religion or sect.
2. A system or community of religious worship and ritual.
3. The formal means of expressing religious reverence; religious ceremony and ritual.
4. A usually nonscientific method or regimen claimed by its originator to have exclusive or exceptional power in curing a particular disease.
5.a. Obsessive, especially faddish, devotion to or veneration for a person, principle, or thing.
5.b. The object of such devotion.
6. An exclusive group of persons sharing an esoteric, usually artistic or intellectual interest.

Personally I would consider the No Name Church or the 2X2's to be a cult since they have to obtain permission from their leadership to do things . . I knew one of the leaders who was giving out permissions and I wouldn't want her acting as my judge or telling me what I could or could not do.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_Conventions

Answer 10

Cults split off of religions. They claim knowledge in addition to the parent group they intend to draw victims from. Usually end up shunned by the religion from which they split off.

They will have secret ceremonies which only the initiated are invited. If you will notice, the ceremonies of religions are almost always open to all who want to attend and show respect.

Cults usually require some sort of unusual initiation, like magic underwear or turning over all your money.