Why do people call my religion a cult?

Question

I am pentecostal....Acts 2:38 says repent...be baptized...holy ghost...the book of second timothy tells us to dress modestly and deuteronomy tells women not to weat that which pertaineth unto a man...I think girls wearing girls pants is ok........anyway.... people always say Im in a cult....why b/c we care about souls and tell them the truth?? Because we love ppl enough and try to help them, and we live holy....we dont kill people....and we dont shove religion down throats...yet we still get called a cult when the fouindation of our doctrine is based on Acts 2:38 and ask ANY pastor or religious leader that is where the church started....anyone know why we are called a cult?

Answer 1

Calm down. ALL religions are cults.

Answer 2

Many people misunderstand the Pentecostal Denomination. I am United Methodist. Personally, I probably would make a very bad Pentecostal. ;-) I'm happy for you that you found a church that you can call home. I think that is very important for a Christian. Some people call them a cult because they believe they misuse the gift of tongues and regard it as higher than the other spiritual gifts. Others call it a cult because they believe that the modest dress is a form of oppression toward women. Now, I am not saying I agree with these, but this is what some people actually believe. Others believe that because the Pentecostal church as a whole doesn't teach the doctrine of Once Saved Always Saved that they must be a cult.

Do not worry so much why someone disagrees with you. Most of it is misunderstanding and having no desire to understand someone that is different. Though I am not Pentecostal, I know that you are my sister in Christ and I am happy that you are my sister. If you need anyone to talk to, feel free to email me through yahoo answers. Ignore the people that hate you.

Remember, John 15:18-19 says, "If the world hates you, be aware that it hated me before it hated you. If you belonged to the world, the world would love you as its own. Because you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world--therefore the world hates you." No matter what, Jesus is with you. Never forget that.

Answer 3

I grew up a Jehovah's Witness, and i always got told i was in a cult too...which is the furthest thing from the truth. Our religion is almost identical to the Baptist faith, minus the celebrating of holidays. I believe that as long as you are a good person, with a kind heart, and love and believe in God and Christ and serve them...there is no 'right' religion and we all have a chance of being saved and given eternal life. I think that is all that God really cares about, not what you label yourself religion-wise.

Answer 4

I was raised the old time pentecostal so yes I can see where many call it a cult. I was the one in school who no one wanted to hang with because of my religion, I was the girl who couldn't wear pants, cut my hair, wear makeup or jewerly and I couldn't participate in many social activities because we weren't allowed to dance or swim with boys. We couldn't go to the movies or even have a T.V in our homes. Everything was church related. Every sat was spent going from door to door trying to push our religion onto someone else. Every holiday was spent in a church service. I began noticing in the past 10 years how the United Pentecostal church org UPCI began lowering their standards more and more and saw how the girls began wearing skin tight skirts with slits up the thigh (we were required to wear skirts below the knees) at least pants cover more. The choir members now sway as they sing. Girls cutting their hair. So many things have changed I became discusted. I began to deeply study Islam and reverted 4 years ago. I feel at peace and no one has crammed it down my throat. I do not agree with many teachings of the pentecostal church as I am sure they do not agree with many teachings of Islam but we all are here on earth for one cause and that is Jenna (paradise) or in Christianity, heaven. no one should try to force a religion on anyone.

Answer 5

Pentacostal churches are called cults by people who don't understand what they are doing. Some in other denominations aren't very open minded about the gifts of the spirit. I'm in a non-denominational church and have had people from your church tell me I'm wrong because I'm not wearing a skirt or have my hair cut. I know of one group who treated other Christians very poorly boardering on abusive. I'm sure not everyone in your church is that legalistic or rude but it's the few who are that make it more difficult for others to accept your church.

Answer 6

People use the word "cult" the same way as they use "racist". It's become a retort, kind of like, "you're ugly and your mother dresses you funny." By definition, all religions are "cults".

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 7

They are going for a knee-jerk reaction from anyone who knows nothing of what you believe. When people hear the word "CULT" they generally get this reaction of "A CULT?? OMG!! Something should be DONE! before they breed!" or something.

While the Webster's definition of "cult" basically covers any religion, when some people say it, their definition is "Church or group that I don't believe and don't like, that I want others to fear and hate as much as I do".

from one "cultist" to another. ;-)

Answer 8

The term Cult is applied to any religion that does not use solely the Old Testament and New Testament as their source of doctrine.

But I have to tell you that means that the majority of people on this earth practice within a cult, so don't feel too bad about it.

Answer 9

whilst i grow to be a teenager my mum and dad referred to as Jehovah's witnesses a cult. yet I heavily had to income the bible and that i had considered plenty hyprocisty in faith that i grow to be grew to become off by employing faith. Then the extra I discovered I knew they have been the only ones telling me some paradise earth. I had to think of why did Jesus say the meek could inherit the earth if it grow to be to no longer be a paradise. Why did Revelation 5:10 say that people who pass to heaven will rule with Jesus christ over the earth. there grow to be to many stuff yet various contributors of my relatives stated, "the different faith" So in different words any faith however the only right suited one. That grow to be variety of devil's thinking. however the bible says the huge street that ends up in destruction, it fairly is a narrow street that ends up in God's kingdom. If it somewhat is termed a cult it fairly is extra appropriate to be interior the only right suited faith than on the huge street.

Answer 10

some pentecostals can come across as cult like,people say it about every religion. many pentecostals cut off the outside world and make the church the end all and be all of their lives,this means instead of being with family at times,like christmas,valentines etc they will usually have a service or meet with the church as opposed to dealing with "earthly things", not all do this but i have noticed pentecostals who do this and neglect other family,friends and relatives because of the church.

Answer 11

Cults are called cults because of their limited enrollment or strong ideas going against the mainstream religion. Atheism would be an example of a cult.