2006-12-08 13:18:15 · 18 answers · asked by Chase 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
In religion and sociology, a cult is a cohesive group of people (sometimes a relatively small and recently founded religious movement, sometimes numbering in the hundreds of thousands) devoted to beliefs or practices that the surrounding culture or society considers to be far outside the mainstream. Its separate status may come about either due to its novel belief system, because of its idiosyncratic practices or because it opposes the interests of the mainstream culture. Other non-religious groups may also display cult-like characteristics.
In common usage, "cult" has a negative connotation, and is generally applied to a group by its opponents, for a variety of reasons. Understandably, most, if not all, groups that are called "cults" deny this label. Some anthropologists and sociologists studying cults have argued that no one yet has been able to define “cult” in a way that enables the term to identify only groups that have been claimed as problematic[citation needed].
2006-12-08 13:20:06 · answer #1 · answered by Mom of Three 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Funk and Wagnells dictionary explains the word cult as 1) a system of religious practices and observations and 2) Zealous devotion to a person, ideal or thing. Funny, but by definition, ALL religions are cults!
2006-12-08 21:25:10 · answer #2 · answered by themom 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In religion and sociology, 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. Its separate status may come about either due to its novel belief system, because of its idiosyncratic practices or because it opposes the interests of the mainstream culture. Other non-religious groups may also display cult-like characteristics
2006-12-08 21:20:14 · answer #3 · answered by Allen 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Cults are usually religious. They are groups that worship a certain way, and have their own following of others who have the same principles. People think of them as negative, but I don't believe this is always true. If you belong to a cult, you have others who treat you as family, protect you, and care for you. You know the old saying, "birds of a feather" - - - - - -
2006-12-08 21:22:10 · answer #4 · answered by misty_blue2u 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cult means; An exclusive group of persons sharing an esoteric interest.
2006-12-08 21:24:42 · answer #5 · answered by spir_i_tual 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Traditionally it is a group that deifies a single living man and follows him without question. Like the Heavens gate cult, or Jim Jones, or David Koresh.
2006-12-08 21:34:56 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
According to the Dictionary: Cult -- Devoted attachment to, or extravagant admiration for a person or principle. All religions are cults. They insist that they are not.
2006-12-08 21:25:55 · answer #7 · answered by The professor 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
(1)cult-system of religious worship, especially one that is experssed in rituals.
(2) cult(of somebody/something) (often derogatory) devotion to or admiration of somebody or something
(3) cult-popular fashion or craze
2006-12-08 21:22:48 · answer #8 · answered by Caroline 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When a group of relegious people take the Bible out of context and change its original meaning.
2006-12-08 21:23:54 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
a group of people banned together because they believe the same thing.
2006-12-08 21:28:25 · answer #10 · answered by sarah 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋