Does the person lose touch with family, and spend a huge amount of time with the pastor and church? Are there some good books about this? I know someone whose life is really different since joining this church. The pastor is a self-proclaimed prophet who sees himself on par with Moses. Thanks for answering!
2006-12-01 18:37:53 · 12 answers · asked by whrldpz 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
All cults have these 5 characteristics in common:
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.
2006-12-02 05:21:49 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 1⤋
The definition of a cult according to the Dictionary = "Devoted attachment to, or extravagant admiration for a person or principle". All religions are cults. They insist that they are not but don't believe them. I'd be wary of any self proclaimed prophets. This guys hungry for power over people and money.
2006-12-01 19:11:34 · answer #2 · answered by The professor 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Characteristics of a Religious Cult
Many people have studied cults. Because all cults have different beliefs, cult experts have identified common characteristics of cults, which they use to identify new cults. Thus, an organization can be identified as a cult no matter what their beliefs are.
http://www.sspx-cult.com/CultCharacteristics.htm
2006-12-01 18:51:54 · answer #3 · answered by Br. Dymphna S.F.O 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The modus operandi of cult are as followed:
1.Talk about the truth from holy books,to attract followers.
2.Talk about the truth and himself:this is the danger sign!
3.Talk about himself;no more truth.
These are the usual path a cult would follow,so beware!
2006-12-01 18:51:33 · answer #4 · answered by Anger eating demon 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
All religion is man-made (in ref to AMANWHO's comment). If you haven't noticed... a man had to of litteraly writen the "Holy Books." And as for the question... I don't think there is a difference between a Cult and an Organized religion. They both have all the same characteristics.
2006-12-01 18:45:52 · answer #5 · answered by moonstarz101 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Members of cults are normally cut off from society, and they usually pay ridiculous sums of money to the cult leader. The cult leader usually they are god on earth or some kind of prophet.
2006-12-01 18:42:03 · answer #6 · answered by Roman Soldier 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the fundamental way any cult (or faith) keeps their individuals loyalty is thru exclusion and recognition. all of us choose to sense prevalent, its undemanding human nature. this could be a powerfull force and facilitates cult leaders to exercising controll by offering recognition if individuals have self assurance as they are instructed. whilst they are in the cult, the cult makes use of the possibility of exclusion to maintain their loyalty and obedience. some cults use extra drastic approaches to avert individuals from leaving, even going as far as to threaten violence, yet it quite is uncommon, as a results of fact it often backfires on the cult chief. for somebody who feels vulnerable or on my own, the grant of recognition right into a 'specific' team is a powerfull capture. the only distinction between a cult and a faith is the form of people. The christian church makes use of those approaches widely used.
2016-10-17 14:40:39 · answer #7 · answered by Erika 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A " cult" follows the teachings of a MAN, usually his philosophy.
Any religion that truly obeys the Bible cannot be termed a 'cult'
The followers of Jim Jones of the infamous Jonestown massacre were in a cult.
Scientology is a cult because it follows the teachings of the science fiction writer, L. Ron Hubbard.
Even Buddhism could be classed as a cult because they follow the teachings of Buddha, who after all was only as man born of a woman.
2006-12-01 19:33:01 · answer #8 · answered by pugjw9896 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
(a cult is a religion or a religious branch in its infancy. thats the technical definition.)
in this case, its a lunatic and those who believe the lunatic is sane. if u care about this someone u know, make sure everyone else who cares but is not in the cult knows about this, and do something. get him/her out of there.
if something violent or blatantly wrong is likely to happen, call the cops.
be careful.
2006-12-01 19:24:29 · answer #9 · answered by implosion13 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cults usually have a messiah that says you have to sleep with them.
2006-12-01 18:46:24 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋