what is the definition of "cult"?

Question

and how can you tell if one religion is a cult?

Answer 1

The most obvious sign is separating the person from their family and friends - isolation. Telling you that your family are going to hell because they dont beleive, telling you that their church is the ONLY true church and all the others are false.

The link I am posting below refers specifically to the International church of christ - which I was briefly involved with some years ago - but the info is still relevant to any group with the same signs.

Answer 2

Counterfeit Christianity is probably the best description I can give for a cult. Counterfeit Christianity is an imitation of real Christianity. Bible terms like "Jesus Christ, Resurrection, Salvation, and Atonement" are used by the Cult, but entirely different meanings have been assigned to these terms by the various cult groups.
Like counterfeit money which is sometimes difficult to detect, so it is difficult to detect counterfeit Christianity, since it looks like the real thing. Experts examining counterfeit money often hold it up to a strong light and look for identifying marks. Counterfeit Christianity also has identifying marks which can be seen when held up to an even stronger light, the light of God's word, the bible.
We are at an advantage if we know what to expect from a cult. Cultists are very well trained to appear "Christian", and indeed believe they are the true church, and you need the deliverance! Therfore, be bold and ask the question, "Do you believe the group you represent is the only true church on the face of the earth?"
If they reply that they are, or if they are evasive, making remarks like "Well, every church has a measure of truth but...", you have made an early detection of a Cultist.
Every true Chistian, if asked the same question, regardless of his denomination, would reply that the true church is comprised of believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, and HE (not some organization) is THE WAY, THE TRUTH, AND THE LIFE, (John 14:6). No legitimate denomonation would claim that they alone and their members have salvation exclusively, but the cults (the counterfeits) do.

Answer 3

Cambridge online dictionary has three definitions:
cult (RELIGION) Show phonetics
noun [C]
1 a religious group, often living together, whose beliefs are considered extreme or strange by many people:
Their son ran away from home and joined a religious cult.

2 a particular system of religious belief:
the Hindu cult of Shiva


========================================
cult (POPULARITY) Show phonetics
noun [S]
someone or something that has become very popular with a particular group of people:
the cult of celebrity
See also personality cult.

cult Show phonetics
adjective [before noun]
liked very much by a particular group of people:
The singer had a cult following in the 1970's.
a cult figure/movie
=====================================
personality cult noun [C] DISAPPROVING
officially organized admiration and love for a particular person, especially a political leader

=============================================
Hope it helps..

Answer 4

Entrapment of a man made belief, which is very controlling and doesnt allow freedom.

This can also be done by manipulating Holy Doctrine in favour of the Cult Leader i.e. Muhammad and ISLAM. There are normally penalties for leaving cults. This could be in the form of ridicule, hatred, violence against you and even death.

If your belief doesnt include a message of Freedom, Love and everlasting life through Christ Jesus then be concerned.

I hope this helps.

Answer 5

Hello

I would use an example.
As below:

" I attended a interview with the GP and she asked a question, that question being highlighting a earlier outcome of a old appointment and asked why I thrown in the bin a sandwich my borther given to me and I replied' i am fasting' and she taught as a member of a cult.

I also see a cult as a movement, for example I would love to start a movement and call it ' the temple of the divine essence'

andre

Answer 6

a cult has two things

1. a charismatic leader

2. demands isolation from family/world, and all of your earthly funds, items, etc be given to cult/cult leader.

religions are usually not cults because they're not about one leader, but about a larger collective energy. They're also not so much about the specific group of individuals. cults usually fall after the leader dies, esp if no other charismatic leader takes it's place.

Answer 7

There's a VERY good cult evaluation "frame" that you can look at here:

http://www.iol.ie/~plugin/bonewits.htm

Answer 8

Definition of cult?Look it up in your 'Funkin Wagnalls'

Answer 9

brainwashing on a small scale

Answer 10

the republican party