Cult, a social group sometimes accused of mentally controlling its members
2007-04-11 04:17:09 · 54 answers · asked by mia 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Taken from Wikipedia
2007-04-11 04:19:09 · update #1
whether or not they would admit it the entire foundation of the Christian organization is built on principles of cultism.
2007-04-11 04:39:05 · answer #1 · answered by seawolfsfire 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
that depends on how you look at things. Certain so called christian groups control their members by making rules and forcing donations.
Catholics do not believe in premarital sex, that is a form of control. Donations are kept as part of the church records and members are (YES) frowned upon or informed they have not met the quota for donations for the year, that is a form of control.
Some will not honor a marriage that is not in their church or a marriage that is mixed, i.e. Catholic and Luthern, Methodist and Jewish. That too is a form of control.
Following any other rules than the ten commandments is a form of control in a way. Some churches preach that if you do not attend and donate so much of your income you will not go to heaven. Mentally they are attempting to controll its members.
2007-04-11 04:24:02 · answer #2 · answered by danielle Z 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Honestly I think there are a lot of cultic aspects to Christianity.
Followers are told not to listen to others who have ideas/truth that is different then what they are taught. There is no way to educate a Christian - to help show them where potential problems are.
And Christians - who refuse to listen to outside people - are taught that all those who leave the church weren't really true believers to begin with. So, someone like me, who dedicated their life to Christ before really reading and finding the truth - cannot help other Christians. I am told that I was never a true follower - I was a hypocrite. And there for, anything I present to a Christian is false, since I never knew Jesus they say.
These two mentalities are quite cult like. Not allowing any outside information - not examining others views at all. And calling all ex-Christians not true followers. Which negates their experiences and gives believers a comfort zone to explain why someone devout would leave the faith.
Mostly the cult like writings are Paul's in the New Testament. It is he that encourages that type of following. Although their are bits and peices in what Jesus said also. Especially in Luke 19:27 where Jesus tells his followers to kill all those who do not believe in front of him.
2007-04-11 04:30:17 · answer #3 · answered by noncrazed 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
just because a group of people call themselves Christians it does not make them Christian. True Christians will not mentally control. They will be following Jesus and then doing as He desires- if any group manipulates it is wrong. Just because a person is in a church, that does not make him a Christian. Do not label all Christians like this- there are many who love God and others- I go to a church that does.
2007-04-11 04:43:01 · answer #4 · answered by AdoreHim 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My pastor has often jokes that he wishes that was Christianity. Maybe then we would be able to get more committment out of people in the churches, and keep fewer from falling away.
But it is not. The Christian faith is not about "controlling its members", but about offering to the world an opportunity to build a relationship with God himself.
2007-04-11 04:25:39 · answer #5 · answered by dewcoons 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No, I don't believe that Christianity is a cult. Nor does Christianity use mind control over it's members. People who know Jesus Christ obey Him out of free choice, and we also disobey Him out of free choice. So, no, that doesn't sound like Christianity to me. Peace.
2007-04-11 04:22:44 · answer #6 · answered by superfluity 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Stop thinking about religion. There is God and there is Satan. You are either on God's side or you are on Satan's side. There is no inbetween. Following Jesus is not about rules. It is about having your spirit Born Again so that you can allow God to work through you for the building of the Kingdom of God.
Christianity is a spiritual personal relationship with God the Father through the His only Son Jesus Christ through the Holy Ghost.
Repent of your wretched sins and ask Jesus to give you the Holy Ghost. Only then will God recognise you as a child of God. Only then will you go to heaven.
Jesus loves you - repent and be saved.
2007-04-11 05:52:00 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Christianity is not A CHURCH. It is a belief system based on the belief that Jesus Christ was/is the Son of God (our creator).
Some CHURCH bodies may try to control their members. This is not representative of Christianity in general however, and it must be realized that a church organization is man made...not made or ordained by Jesus or God.
2007-04-11 04:25:49 · answer #8 · answered by Poohcat1 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
nope,
but there are some Cults that use Religion as an excuse to hook people in.
I did not see that in the Wikipedia definition either.
Peace!
2007-04-11 04:24:28 · answer #9 · answered by C 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yes. It sounds like every organized religion to me. That is the point of religion.
edit: neolax, what do you call the Inquisition? You know, the forced efforts of Catholics to rid their country of anyone not Christian by muder, exile or conversion?
2007-04-11 04:25:17 · answer #10 · answered by Kharm 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Fits the bill, if you ask me.
Lol....I like the answers that try to place the cult blame on members of their own religion....
JWs and Mormons are cults....but not the rest of us Christians.
Hahaha!
2007-04-11 04:22:22 · answer #11 · answered by KS 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋