Why do a lot of peole call a religion a "cult" when they know very little about it?

Question

Examples: People call certain denominations such as Jehova's Witnesses, Mormons, Amish or Mennonite etc. "cults" without even knowing the minimum about their religion. Do they call them "cults" because they know very little about them? Or because strive to live by their religious ideals? Please enlighten me.

Answer 1

The word cult is usually used to denote any religion that the speaker themselves does not endorse. By labeling a group a cult it make makes it easier to convince others that a particular group is somehow inferior, less moral than the spearker's religion. The word cult brings to mind people like Charles Mansen, David Koresh, Jim Jones, Reverend Moon to name just a few of the more well known. It is used at make people think that the ones they are calling a cult are thought of in that same way, even if they have done nothing to merrit the idea. The term is prejudicial and persecutory and intended to make those thus referred to be treated like somethnig evil.

THAT is why the word is used.

Answer 2

Most people have had at least one experience with one or more of the denominations listed above. Usually when you become a member of a couple of the denominations you have mentioned, it is very, very hard to leave them. Sometimes it may become violent. That is what usually happens in a cult. A couple of those denominations are also very strict and do not like it when a member speaks or even looks at a non member. They don't like it when you associate with someone not of your faith. That is kind of cultish.
Maybe some people don't know much about the denominations or beliefs, but I think the attitude that they are cults comes from observing.
I also don't know if you can put the Amish or Mennonite in with the JW's and Mormons. The first two just don't agree with all of the bells and whistles of the modern way of living, which, in the long run will probably be the smartest way to go.

Answer 3

Ever because of the fact the Nineteen Sixties, Nineteen Seventies, and into the 1880s, while communities such because of the fact the Moonies (Unification church of solar Myung Moon), the "Hare Krishnas", and different such communities, the be conscious "CULT" brings this knee-jerk reaction of "A CULT??? OMG!! something could be carried out, formerly they take over!" The Webster's dictionary defintion of a cult is extraordinarily lots any team that has some variety of merchandise of reverence. yet, on the instant, that is extraordinarily lots come to advise "The church or team down the line that i do unlike and don't have self assurance, that i want others to concern and hate as much as I do". on occasion, those people who talk over with those communities as "cults" DO understand what they suspect, yet % to stretch the fact, play up something as extra sordid than that's, or in basic terms outand out lie. Others in basic terms have confidence those human beings and refuse to verify for themselves what they suspect. as a rule because of the fact they're informed that the human beings of those "cults" will lie by way of their enamel, and because they have not any reason to doubt those liars, then those so-called "cultists" don't have of challenge.

Answer 4

Why is it that a couple of those religions you motioned won't leave people alone? They make it so hard for you to leave them.
Why is it that you assume that the person calling them a cult knows nothing about those religions? With the Internet you can find lots of info on those religions, and that's looking at their very own web sites.

Answer 5

All religions are cults. Definition -
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
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.

What in that definition DOESN'T smack of religion to you?

Answer 6

Mennonites? I don't think so. Mindless obedience contradicticing scripture or Koran is evidence of a 'cult'.

Answer 7

The term “cult” is used loosely by many who may not be fully aware of its connotations. To prevent confusion, some theologians actually avoid using the term.

The World Book Encyclopedia explains that “traditionally, the term cult referred to any form of worship or ritual observance.” By that criterion, all religious organizations could be classified as cults. However, in general usage today, the word “cult” has a different meaning. The same encyclopedia notes that “since the mid-1900’s, publicity about cults has altered the meaning of the term. Today, the term is applied to groups that follow a living leader who promotes new and unorthodox doctrines and practices.”

Endorsing the popular usage of the term, Newsweek magazine explains that cults “are normally small, fringe groups whose members derive their identity and purpose from a single, charismatic individual.” Similarly, Asiaweek magazine notes that “the term [cult] itself is vague, but it usually denotes a new religious creed built around a charismatic leader, who often proclaims himself to be the personification of God.”

The language used in a joint resolution of the 100th Congress of the State of Maryland, U.S.A., also conveys the derogatory connotation of the term cult. The resolution states that “a cult is a group or movement exhibiting excessive devotion to a person or idea and employing unethically manipulative techniques of persuasion and control to advance the goals of its leaders.”

Clearly, cults are generally understood to be religious groups with radical views and practices that clash with what is accepted today as normal social behavior. Usually they conduct their religious activities in secrecy. Many of these cultic groups actually isolate themselves in communes. Their devotion to a self-proclaimed human leader is likely to be unconditional and exclusive. Often these leaders boast of having been divinely chosen or even of being themselves divine in nature.

Occasionally, anticult organizations and the media have referred to Jehovah’s Witnesses as a cult. A number of recent newspaper articles lump the Witnesses with religious groups known for their questionable practices. But would it be accurate to refer to Jehovah’s Witnesses as a small fringe religious group? Cult members often isolate themselves from friends, family, and even society in general. Is that the case with Jehovah’s Witnesses? Are the Witnesses using deceptive and unethical techniques to recruit members?

Cult leaders are known to use manipulative methods to control the minds of their followers. Is there any evidence that Jehovah’s Witnesses do this? Is their worship cloaked in secrecy? Are they following and venerating a human leader? Pointedly, are Jehovah’s Witnesses a cult?

Answer 8

In almost every case, the term "cult" is used primarily to insult the religion and its adherents.