If cults are different from religions, because cult leaders call themselves "messiahs"...?

Question

Then what do you call Jesus?

Just in case you hadn't considered this... uhm... that's what "Jesus" did. (In actuality, I imagine it was probably Paul that declared it, but regardless)

How is your "religion" not a cult? Jesus was a man that declared himself the son of a god. How is this different from any other cult leader in history? And the number of cult members is not significant here...

Sister Steph, I'm well educated on the subject, and I have left the cult myself, which DID alienate me from my family. But you see, this is not ridicule. You only take it as such, because your cult tells you not to entertain notions like these. You behave exactly as I would expect a cult member to behave.

Dooltaz says "A cult says "we are the only way". Christianity says "Jesus is the only way".

Do you not see the irony of your own statement here?

Answer 1

How is it different? Because Jesus was what he claimed and your cult leader is not. Pretty simple.

Answer 2

According to scripture, Jesus did not actually outright declare that he was the son of god, or even king of the Jews. He said "I am that I am". He apparently did not want to make a declaration because he was asked several times and each time came back with the same. Eventually he intimated that his "kingdom" is not of this world. That was supposed to placate the Romans who dealt very severely with those who threatened their rule.

The lowest common denominator for a "cult" as opposed to a religious movement is the "charismatic leader". This may change as there is a concerted effort by some to define the 12-step program as a cult, sans charismatic leader.

Not all cults are violent and though their lifespan is often very short, ending with the death of the leader and the resulting disruption of the organization, many may grow into religious movements and eventually religions in their own right.

You are right, in my opinion, that christianity began as a cult. However, it does indeed fit the description of a religion. An infancy as a cult does not in any way detract from the facts concerning the status of any of the world religions of today. Perhaps there is a small group, a cult, right now, that may grow into a new religion in the future. It would be interesting to observe this process.

Answer 3

I don't think you know what a cult is.

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, sometimes reaching the point of a taboo.

A cult is a group that perverts it's message and traps those who follow it. No one in Christianity is trapped by their faith. They are not told to leave their family, or serve their master or give all they have to their leader. Only idiots who don't understand Christianity think this is so because they'd rather think the worse then actually study something from all sides.

People can leave Christianity, but most have to be intervened to leave a cult. An ex-Christian will not meet the same stigmata as an ex-cult member when meeting those from his/her group.

Why don't you actually study this with your "superior intelligence" instead of ridiculing what you don't know.

Answer 4

Let's just call a spade a spade and say that religions are basically cults that have been accepted by the mainstream. That being said, most mainstream religions also throw the term "cult" around to demonize any other potential flock that might take off some of its flock.

One could argue that cult, in its truest definition, is one where said "messiah" takes advantage of the flock or puts them in unneeded danger...most people don't make this distinction, though, and term Cults more as a belief they do not understand.

Answer 5

Then what do you call Jesus? God

He either is God or is not God. He claimed to be God. That's why He was killed. So either everything He said was said with the authority and should be read with the understanding that Jesus is God, or you'll be forced to view Jesus as a mad-man. If he were only a good teacher, then why did he claim to be God? And what about the testimonies of the miricles that He did. Oh and where is His body?

A cult says "we are the only way". Christianity says "Jesus is the only way". Cults must twist and pervert scripture to try to convince people that they are the only way to salvation. They try to take the place of God, and this is a big sin, because the God of the Bible is very Jealous.

Answer 6

Not all cult leaders call themselves messiahs. I know of some Christian churches who behave as cults "in the name of Jesus." It's creepy.

Answer 7

Yes. Christianity is a very old, vey powerful cult. Not that it's by default a bad thing.

Thank you for pointing that out.

Take a good look at the comment of the fellow just above me and you'll see that they don't like to think that way. But it's the truth, by definition.

Answer 8

A cult is a group that alienates its members from society and often takes control of their assets. They often refuse to allow members to leave... and have orgies with children...lol...at least that is how it was explained to me,,,,,,

seriously, i do not see christianity as bad, only the corporations behind them,,,,,
the people are not really bad, just simple-folk that are scared like sheep.... the wierd thing is how intelligent some can be but still so,,, brain-washed and unable to think,,,,

Answer 9

A cult is usually defined as 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", is also often considered as a "obsessive, especially faddish, devotion to or veneration for a person, principle, or thing". It is also characterized for being "young in years of existence" and having usually "only relatively few followers".

A religion in change is defined as a "personal or institutionalized system grounded in the belief, worship and reverence for a supernatural power or powers regarded as creator and governor of the universe". It also has a "set of beliefs, values, and practices based on the teachings of a spiritual leader". Religions are usually "ancient or very old in years" and have "millions of followers".

Therefore, a religion is not necessarily a cult, but a cult is always a religion. Being a cult a religion usually characterized by radicalism, oddness, obsession, short number of years, small number of followers and guidance by a founder who almost all the times tend to be authoritarian. Another particularity is that in cults, you found that in many cases the cult-followers worship the founder as God himself.

Answer 10

Actually the denominations call anything a cult that questions their doctrine. I have been told by people of denominational faiths that any church that claims there is only one faith and they are that faith are a cult. So the bible is cultic read Ephesians 4:4,5,6

also read what Paul had to say about people preaching a different gospel then the one they preached Galatians 1:8,9

Answer 11

Heh-Heh ! Good question.
Not all cults have "messiahs" Some don't even have leaders, just trusted servants.
Revolutionaries are only revolutionaries til they win.Then they are a recognized government.
Religion is the same way I think.