What do religious people think is the difference between a cult and a religion?

Question

I believe that the only difference is that a religion has more followers. All religions began as cults.

Lots of people said that cults are offshoots of Christianity. Christianity isn't the only religion and the US isn't the only country. Can a cult also be an offshoot of Islam and Hinduism? Or do Christians view all other religions as cults?

Answer 1

"The difference between a religion and a cult is the amount of real estate they own." Frank Zappa

Answer 2

That may be true and for practical purposes, yours is a reasonable definition.

In apologetic literature, a cult is usually defined as an offshoot of Christian belief, but denying one or more central doctrines. The group is usually lead by a single, important person (usually charismatic).

Cults can also be looked at in more sociological terms, as hermetic groups sharing a culture, values and goals. In this way, "Deadheads" would be cult-like similar to the Amish.

Answer 3

I think all religions are cults. Why because they all tell a person how to live their daily lives. Some demand rigid compliance similar to radicals and fundamentalists(which I believe is wrong or even evil itself!) Others have a more moderate approach to compliance, while others grant a lot of lee way or do not ask for compliance at all! Look at Taoism and the aspect of Wu Wei - going with the flow of life, ahhh hello! This is the way things should be.
Having a moral framwork is a good thing! And people want to feel good together in some form of worship, but not in demeaning or demoralizing way as cults have a reputation for. (as do some organized religions too)
To me a cult symbolizes ultimate control over people. Total control over indiviuals also happens in accredited religions as well but not to the extent of a cult.
As a Christian, who explores other ways and philosophies but believes in Jesus, I aspire to be kind, understanding, loving, forgiving and to tune into my spirtual connection to a higher being God. Now if I screw it up and am mean, not understanding, not forgiving etc. I am not stoned, humiliated, bereated, exiled, shunned or any of that stupid control freaking crap! In a cult some idiot would berate me, make me feel less than human, or even worse! In a normal religion, if I screw up it is between me and my God! Not some idiot here on earth who thinks he is God!
Cults also really capitalize on fear, much more so than an organized and recognized religion.
Unlike say the Pope who does have to answer to people and who's actions are scrutinized, a cult leader or figure head is usually some male who is arrogant, narccistic, egotistical, sadistic, greedy, cowardly and so on! That will not allow himself or his religious beliefs to be scrutinized in any way! Also cults rarely let people speak their minds!
This being said, I do have friends that practice Wicca and I think this can be reffered to as a cult? This is one example of a cult that could potentially work out well. It promotes a healthy life style and balance between male and female and a harmony with nature. So I guess some cults can be good?
I think your question is a good one and there are just too many angles to go with to come up with any one answer!

Answer 4

Though in the book of Thomas he does not make mention of any of the miracles Emanual performed & only recorded what Emanual said to him, the other disciples did record them- if i ever hear of a cult leader walking on water and get to see it with my own eyes then i MIGHT consider Christianity a cult, until then, sorry i disagree.

Answer 5

No sweetie there isn't a difference. "Cult" means knowledge, or hidden knowledge. This defonition is loose although in this case, a bunch of Christians were reading the bible and saw the words "cult" and "satan" together and flipped.

Answer 6

A cult is a group of people, which claiming to be Christian, embraces a particular doctrinal system taught by an individual leader, group of leaders, or organization, which (system) denies (either explicitly or implicitly) one or more of the central doctrines of the Christian faith as taught in the sixty-six books of the Bible.

Answer 7

A cult gets you emotionally involved with the group...
then asks you for money... and makes you feel bad if you don't get the money.

With religion the request for money is more easy to decline/delay, and you aren't emotionally dependent on the group.

Answer 8

Yes I agree. Science also started as a cult. So did secular humanism and darwin followers. So what?

Blessings,
David

Answer 9

If you are really interested,
here is all the information you might ever want to know, including endless links.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cult

Answer 10

some one claims to be God and kills alot of people in a cult. and others kill people because of thier religion.