What's the difference between a particular religion and a cult?

Question

They seem to have many of the same characteristics.

Answer 1

The only difference is that cults are less popular. Every accepted religion in modern times began as a cult.

Answer 2

The only thing that differentiates a cult from a religion is the perspective of the person making the statement. If it is someone that disagrees with the existance of a particular group, then it is a cult, if is a person that either is more objective, or that is an adherant to the groups principles then it is a religion. The terms are truly interchangable, or at least they used to be. The ONLY reason the word cult is used now a days is in an attempt to demonize a particular group. In it's acrhaic meaning the word cult referred to ANY religion. It has only been more recently that it has come to have a negative connotation (one which is erroneous in the extreme).

That being the case, calling a group a cult in the modern world is as offensive a term as any racial or ethnic slur you can imagine...worse even when you consider it's modern associations. And as long asn that kind of prejudice and intollerance exists...there will NEVER be a chance for the various religions to coexist.

Answer 3

A cult goes beyond religious beliefs. In a cult there is usually one leader and the rest are followers. The followers do as the leader says. In a religion, there is usually a minister and a few men who help the congregation (deacons, elders, and the like). All are equal members in a religion and worship God. In a cult not all members are equal and non out rank the leader. Followers do as the leader commands whether his commands be morally right or wrong. Myself, I concider the Catholics a cult simply because the Pope is infalible to the followers. He is God in the flesh and unable to commit sin. I may take a hit from others for saying this but I stand by my comments. The constant rearranging of what is accepted and what is not accepted are dictated by what the Pope says is right or wrong. The followers (although serving God) serve the Pope first. The are forgiven sins by the Popes authority and not by the authority of the Bible. Devil Worshippers are concidered a cult as well. Though they serve Satan there is always a leader to each cult which mandates rules and laws that govern that particular cult. The several different christian beliefs are working together for a common goal. Almost all Baptist are the same and worship the same way in every Baptist church. In a cult, the leader of let's say The Church of Certainty is obeyed in that cult and if there is another Church of Certainty then the followers of that church obey their leader. The laws and commandments of each church, either similar or different, belong and are abided by that particular church.

Answer 4

You will have to be careful asking this because if someone doesnt like or understand another religon or take the time to learn they call it a cult.
I think a cult is basically more in the eye of the beholder than anything. For example those people that thought the space ship was coming behind the hailbop comet or whatever its called killed themselves. So they could get on the ship and go to heaven. They all wore space ship uniforms and the guys castraded themselves. Or Charles Mansons group that killed Sharon Tate. Charles Manson called himself Jesus. And they both called themselves a religon.
On the other hand you got "religons" today that kill people in the name of religon. Tell their people to strap bombs to themselves and kill them. Or the Spanish Inqusition back in the day. When the Catholic Church killed people that didnt convert. Or how about the Protestants and Catholics who kill each other in Ireland. Are they a religon just because they are bigger? I know its just small groups of these religons that do crazy things. But whats a cult and religon. I think people can stretch any religon and make it "cultish" if they are crazy enough.

Answer 5

Size


some say cults brainwash and take advantage of people. I would say such groups are just con jobs and do not even deserve the status of a cult.

The only difference between a Religion and a Cult is size and perspective of the individual.

Answer 6

There is no difference. If anyone has read the great mysteries, they'll understand a bit better how these things were developed, without quoting biblical scripture- that is a copout for realism and not practical, at least in MY opinion. Characteristics of them are very interesting and if you're seriously interested in a book for further study, check out Joseph Campbell. He explains better than I could. Good luck in your direction, may it be a positive one.

Answer 7

The difference between a "cult" and a "religion" is how much money and power and how many members it has.


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Answer 8

Cults are led by humans and die with the leader. They may last for awhile after the passing of the leader, but not for long.

Religions are founded by Manifestions of God Himself and live for thousands of years after the ascension of its Prophet/Founder.

www.bahai.org

Answer 9

In many ways they are the same. A lot of churches have the same motto as the tobacco companies: "Hook them while their young". They don't let people think for themselves, or at least they try not to.

Answer 10

Religions tend to be open. Cults are more exclusive.