How can people distinguish between a religion and a cult?

Answer 1

A cult is just a religion that society doesn't accept or recognize. Think about it, Christianity was a cult when Jesus walked the earth.

Answer 2

I think the most obvious thing that cults do is try to isolate the person from their family. No religion would require a person to turn their back on their family. Another thing they do is require the person to give up all of their worldly possessions and money, and donate it to the group. Encouraging tithing is not the same- I'm talking about everything- not just 10%. My church is often accused of being a cult, but it is not. Family is a very important part of my religion, and although we are encouraged to tithe, it is not a requirement. Some other Christians seem to hate us, and they just pass on misinformation that they hear from other people, as if it were fact, instead of coming to someone who actually belongs to the church and asking what they believe. And, the story keeps getting worse and worse every time it passes through another pair of lips! Hope this helps, and peace to you.

Answer 3

A cult is defined as a "religion" that adds or subtracts from the original content of the Bible. There are some books that expalin cults: Larsen's Book of Cults by Larsen, Cults by John Ankerberg and Religions of the World Made Easy by Barbour Press..One other is Spirit of Truth and The Spirit of Error by Steven Corey that lays out a diagram, so that you can do a side by side comparison of beliefs and how they are in error. According to Revelation 22, is is a very serious offence.

Answer 4

Cults have three criteria which classify them as cults: there must be one person, or driving force, that is the center of the group; the original precepts of the organization become secondary to what this leader wants; and people are hurt either emotionally or physically by the group's actions.

Answer 5

Religion a form of worship. It includes a system of religious attitudes, beliefs and practices; these may be personal, or they may be advocated by an organization. Usually religion involves belief in God or in a number of gods; or it treats humans, objects, desires, or forces as objects of worship. Much religion is based on human study of nature; there is also revealed religion. There is true religion and false. Not all religions are acceptable to God. On what are its teachings based? Is it making known the name of God, [not a title such as Elohim, which means God or Lord] but His name? Is true faith in Jesus demonstrated? Is it ritualistic, a formality, or is it a way of life? Do its members truly love one another? Is it truly separate from the world? Are it's members active witnesses concerning Gods Kingdom?

Answer 6

A religion can care less if you partake or come or not. A cult gets frantic and puts pressure on you.

Cults TWIST ARMS, religions don't.

Answer 7

If the truth is missing it's a cult meaning a relationship between two or more people that serves to control via severe manipulation and dishonesty.

Answer 8

A religion is a cult that has succeeded in keeping its steady growth after the death of its Prophet founder and despite the decline of His family.

Answer 9

they're all cults until they gain so many ppl, then they're called religion...


When Christanty was created, it was a cult agaisnt Yaweah and the Jews. it went agaisnt Judism and there for evil. over time, the cult grew and is now regarded as kin to Judism.

(sorry for the bad spelling)

Answer 10

Easy. A religion is what that person is a part of. A cult is every other belief.