Can someone spell out the difference between religions and cults?

Question

I beleive the only difference is political clout, with more adherants, you have clout, and are called, "mainstream" when you gain political power, you gain legitimacy...

Answer 1

In a cult you are not allowed to question the leaders and their interpretations of scripture/rules/controlling methods.

In a cult you will gradually be encouraged to disassociate from family and friends (who are not participating in the cult with you.)

In a cult, you will deviate from what is good and healthy for you as an individual, and instead be programmed to do what is good for the leaders of the cult (usually what is good for their bank accounts.)

Answer 2

A famous Pagan, Isaac Bonewits, developed something called "The Bonewits Cult Danger Evaluator". You answer some questions about a group, and it tells you how much it is like or dislike a cult, and how dangerous it could be. You can get this at www.witchvox.com, or on Bonewits website. Good info to have, when checking out a new group.

Answer 3

I do not believe there is a difference. Look up the definition of "cult", it pretty much applies to all religions.

From "webster.com"

1 : formal religious veneration : WORSHIP
2 : a system of religious beliefs and ritual; also : its body of adherents
3 : a religion regarded as unorthodox or spurious; also : its body of adherents
4 : a system for the cure of disease based on dogma set forth by its promulgator
5 a : great devotion to a person, idea, object, movement, or work (as a film or book); especially : such devotion regarded as a literary or intellectual fad b : the object of such devotion c : a usually small group of people characterized by such devotion

Answer 4

Is this somewhere along the lines of: (Do I get to ask for root words?)

R..E..L..I..G..I..O..N..S

C..U..L..T..S

I would assume that you could state the differences are based upon what society considers to be a legitimate religion. There are the major religions: Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism. The newer religions will always be treated as the cults: Mormonism, Scientology, Moonism (is that correct for the Moonies?), etc...

Answer 5

Level of membership....... Religions tend to have more people.

The major difference is the in the cult the leader is the sole benefactor of the rest of the group. He has ultimate control.


Yes the line between the two is thin as a razor blade but their is a difference.

Answer 6

a religion is accepted by the mainstream, a cult is not

Answer 7

N...O...N...E... I'LL ELABORATE, MANY PEOPLE ASSOCIATE CHRISTIANITY AND OTHER " RELIGIONS" AS "RELIGION" AND THEY GET CAUGHT UP IN "RELIGION" AND LOSE SIGHT OF THE FACT THAT IT IS REALLY SPIRITUALITY THAT IS IMPORTANT. RELIGION IS LIKE RACISM, IT CAUSES DIVISION. YOU CAN BELIEVE ON A BASIS OF A "RELIGION", BUT IF YOU PUT THE "RELIGION" ABOVE THE PEOPLE YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO LOVE, YOU HAVE MISSED THE WHOLE AGENDA. CULTS HAVE MISSED THE WHOLE AGENDA.

Answer 8

Sure:

re·li·gion /rɪˈlɪdʒən/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[ri-lij-uhn] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–noun
1.a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, esp. when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies, usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs.
2.a specific fundamental set of beliefs and practices generally agreed upon by a number of persons or sects: the Christian religion; the Buddhist religion.
3.the body of persons adhering to a particular set of beliefs and practices: a world council of religions.
4.the life or state of a monk, nun, etc.: to enter religion.
5.the practice of religious beliefs; ritual observance of faith.
6.something one believes in and follows devotedly; a point or matter of ethics or conscience: to make a religion of fighting prejudice.
7.religions, Archaic. religious rites.
8.Archaic. strict faithfulness; devotion: a religion to one's vow.


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.
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Answer 9

simple answer... cult is a group of people that belive in the same idea person or value... so it is the same... but the acult is evil

Answer 10

A cult is any religion other than yours.