Can someone tell me the difference between a cult and Christianity? If you look at the two they seem identical

Question

If you were to tell Christians they were the members of a Cult they wouldnt believe it...but why its the same thing all cult members think there way is the only way,same with Christians there way is the only way and according to them alot of good people with good hearts are being tortured in a lake of fire by a LOVING God, thats not even close to being fair or loving, thats like telling a girl that I dont beleive you really love me so I must pour gas on you now, its just not right why can people beleive this, its seems that if they didnt beleive it the world would be alot more loving.

Answer 1

A cult always strives to "break down" a prospective member by pointing out how wrong their beliefs have been and then replace it with cult dogma. Sounds pretty familiar.

Answer 2

Although Catholics and Protestants have many differences, they all agree on certain "central beliefs" that characterize Christian dogma. Any belief system that rejects one or more of these central beliefs is viewed as a cult. Generally, these central beliefs are expressed within the "Apostle's Creed."

For example, Jehovah's Witnesses deny the deity of Christ. Instead, they believe the Angel Michael was made into a human being. While this being isn't God, the JWs consider Jesus to be "a god." Mainstream Christians consider this teaching to conflict with the plain meaning of Scripture; therefore, it's deemed a blasphemy and JWs are labeled as a cult.

Christian denominations that differ from others in areas not deemed "central doctrine" are not considered to be cults.

Answer 3

I think you are missing a point here. Christians say nothing, the bible says it...God says you will go to the second death in the lake of fire. The first death is physical, before judgment seat is Gods judgment based on his word. God gives you the choice..to accept or not...you make the decision so actually it is no ones telling, but your own choice. If you choose not to listen, that is your choice. So when you say cult, i guess you are just confused because you do not understand what is being said to you, or why. Someone must care for you a whole lot to share the love of Christ with you. The bible says, in John1:12 If you believe in him. you will have eternal life. God is going to ask all one question when you come before him, and if you are a believer, saved by the blood of Jesus, than you know the answer. I do not know your background, but I suggest you talk to a good bible beliieving preacher. God Bless

Answer 4

Christians wouldn't classify themselves as a "cult" at all! In fact, if you compared their religion with the warning signs of cults they would simply say the list was written by Satan, i.e. a convenient escape from objective thinking and reason.

But you can look for yourself here:

http://www.rickross.com/warningsigns.html

Answer 5

Dictionary.com defines "cult" as follows:

"cult /kʌlt/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[kuhlt] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–noun 1. a particular system of religious worship, esp. with reference to its rites and ceremonies.
2. an instance of great veneration of a person, ideal, or thing, esp. as manifested by a body of admirers: the physical fitness cult.
3. the object of such devotion.
4. a group or sect bound together by veneration of the same thing, person, ideal, etc.
5. Sociology. a group having a sacred ideology and a set of rites centering around their sacred symbols.
6. a religion or sect considered to be false, unorthodox, or extremist, with members often living outside of conventional society under the direction of a charismatic leader.
7. the members of such a religion or sect.
8. any system for treating human sickness that originated by a person usually claiming to have sole insight into the nature of disease, and that employs methods regarded as unorthodox or unscientific.
–adjective 9. of or pertaining to a cult.
10. of, for, or attracting a small group of devotees: a cult movie."


As you can see, all religions fit most of these definitions.

On the other hand, the American Heritage dictionary defines it thusly:

"cult (kÅ­lt) Pronunciation Key
n.

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.
b.The followers of such a religion or sect.
c.Obsessive, especially faddish, devotion to or veneration for a person, principle, or thing.
d. The object of such devotion.
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.
b. The object of such devotion.
6. An exclusive group of persons sharing an esoteric, usually artistic or intellectual interest. "

Of this more common set of definitions, I would say Christianity (and other religions) only really fits #'s 2 & 3.

Answer 6

A cult is something that is drastically different from Judeao / Christian or, professes to be one or the other but strays away from the teachings of the Bible

Answer 7

Christians are free to leave at any time, cult members are not.

What you do in your relationships are one thing, what God does in His are quite another.

Answer 8

all people have had mortal men that led them and that they gave praise to, so all cults are churches by definition of the dictionary.
But only ONE faith exists

Answer 9

Social acceptance.

Answer 10

a cult is brainwashing on a small scale and christianty is brainwashing on an industral scale