For Christians only: Why do people get into cults?

Question

So many people get into cults, and I'm just wondering what the draw is for them. I don't see the attraction.

Many of you answered my question whether you know you did or not. Christianity IS the one true religion because we have hope for the future. Do you? None of your other "so called gods" put their life on the line for you so that you might be joint heirs with them. Think about that before you start bashing Christians.

Thank you so much for proving my point. Jesus Christ died ONE time for ALL man's sins........not over and over again, because He has the power to save us the first time. I'm sorry that you got pulled into a cult, because that all Wicca is. I'm sorry, but you still haven't convinced me that it isn't. I've heard other people that are in your CULT that there is no heaven either, you're just reincarnated over and over again. Where is the hope in that? I would much rather spend my eternity with Jesus.

Answer 1

I had friends in one, they were in a safe environment, did not have to worry about the bills, or what to eat. and had a family ready made, they were accepted by everyone else in the cult.
but basically they are taken in by a stronger personality than themselves.

Answer 2

Many cults do not start out with unusual or strange teachings. Some start out as a main stream church with a charismatic preacher who gradually leads them astray. This preacher begins to influence the believers to think that somehow his words are more important than the Bibles or even than common sense. Many times these charismatic leaders are adept at sensing peoples deepest desires ans fears and playing upon them. Remember Jim Jones and the Peoples Temple?
Sometimes people turn to a cult because it addresses a certain deep seated need the person has. It could be as simple as wanting to belong. Young people who have not been given any spiritual foundation while growing up are especially susceptible to cults. They have a sense that there should be more to their lives besides pursuing physical needs, but have no frame of reference as to what might be considered "normal" in this regard.

Answer 3

Do you want only Christians to answer or do you want to know why Christian people get into cults? If you have former in mind then this is not the right place to ask. If you have intended later, then you should have framed your question right.
Assuming that it's the later, I think its not only the Christians adopting cults. People from various religions do get into cults and it's pretty much individual choice. And I believe no one joins a cult, they do not believe in (unless of course they are fooled).

Answer 4

Definition of cult :
a group or sect bound together by veneration of the same thing, person, ideal, etc.

Lets see ...... Christians are a group bound together venerating Jesus Christ ...... now does that make it a cult?

So what is the draw for you to join this big cult call Christianity?

(Now, what hope do you have for the future? transformation from a human to a sheep? What makes you think this is the only "true" religion, because one contradicting book says so and you are too afraid to question it?

Anyway, jokes aside, I am not joking when I ask what is the draw for you to join Christianity, it is the same reason why people join the other religions or cult, it is the same reason.

Cult isn't all bad, but it is the Christians who make it seems bad, because it does not adhere to what their denomination felt, some christians even feel other denominations are cult because their teaching are not the same as what their own pastor says, in which I think they are very much brainwashed, like yourself)

Answer 5

I think I read a study on this sometime ago that suggests for the most part, people are looking for acceptance. It seems a lot of people who lack social skills are attracted to cults. I don't have the reference now, but I filed that away in my brain cells. Also, it attracks people who aren't able to take the initiative. Like some people wind up in the military simply because they don't know what to do with themselves & it's easier to be told what to do. ( I'm just saying "some" people so don't go off on my reference to the military. I respect & appreciate every one of our soilders & consistantly pray for them. Some of my relatives are over there right now.) Well, back to the subject I think it primarily gives them a sense of belonging & being understood and they don't realize it's all a scam by the head honcho.

Answer 6

It depends on what the cult has to offer. Mormonism is very much into the family, that has an enormous draw for many, many people. Jehovah's Witnesses are extraordinary in their exclusivity....very elitist. That appeals to those who want to feel they alone have the true "gospel" and the only true interpretation of scripture. As a matter of fact, most cults claim the same thing: they alone are the keeper of God's truth when it comes to His word. Bobby, above, very much hit it on the head, about people not reading their bibles.

If any "church" tells you they are the only true church.....turn, and run as fast as you can in the opposite direction.

Answer 7

If by "cult" you mean "any religion that's not Christianity"...

Because your religion does not satisfy the spiritual hunger of every single person on the planet. It's as simple as that, really.

EDITED TO ADD: You wrote: "Many of you answered my question whether you know you did or not. Christianity IS the one true religion because we have hope for the future. Do you? None of your other "so called gods" put their life on the line for you so that you might be joint heirs with them. Think about that before you start bashing Christians."

On the contrary. In Wicca, there is nothing BUT hope. Our Gods love us unconditionally, as Their children -- They do not threaten us with Hell if we fall from Their favor... in fact, no one is condemned to anything like Hell in our theology. All are blessed, regardless of their ideology. Now THAT is truly love and compassion.

As far laying Their lives on the line... my God dies every year so that everyone -- including Christians -- may be fed from the fruits of His sacred body, the grain of the earth. That's, what? Roughly 1,974 death-and-resurrections to Jesus' one?

So, to review -- Wicca postulates a truly loving God/dess, celebrates pleasure in this world (with harm to none), teaches that the universe, as the body of the God/dess, provides our needs in blessedness, and offers its members the promise of eternal life in that Divine love. Sounds pretty darned good to me.

Answer 8

hmm define cult. could be many things. some religions that dont accept traditional beleifs are considered cults. religions who follow a human leader instead of god are considered cults. some beleive that organized religion is a cult. to many variations to really give an answer as to what lures people in.

Answer 9

They offer hope for the "flesh". They tell you all about the sad stuff that happens and then make it all look so rosy and beatiful. You also need to look at the person joining a cult. They usually have a lot of luggage on their shoulders.

Answer 10

Cults prey on people who do not have a strong faith or do not know much about the Bible. The Bible says that many will be led astray and we should always be watchful. This is why believers should know their scriptures and be able to differentiate truth from lies.

Answer 11

Why? The Church has done a poor job of catechising its own people. A poor job of teaching about the Faith Once Delivered. A lousy job of stressing Scripture, Tradition and Reason.

And worst of all...we have done a lousy job of teaching the Historic Creeds of Christendom....

As Dorothy Sayer, the great Anglican writer and friend of C.S. Lewis said: "CREED....OR CHAOS"

We now have chaos...and many, many cults.