can someone explain to me exactly what a cult is?

Question

i've never really understood what they are.
i know that they are a group of weird religious people, but what exactly do they do?

and aren't cults illegal?

Answer 1

You will know a cult or a border-cult by a couple of key factors.

1.) They will say they are the "only way" when Jesus said clearly HE is the only way. Just because they use the name of Jesus, doesn't give them the authority of Jesus.

2.) They will say their custom Bible is the only accurate translation, such as Jehovah Witnesses.

3.) They will promote another book instead of or in tandem to the Bible. Mormonism is a good example here.

4.) Mediation to God will include something or someone other than Jesus. This could include saints, priests, Mary, the Law, the church itself, an angel or prophet.

5.) Lovingly invite you in to the congregation, then lovingly make you to stay. Struggle, and you are forced to stay. Struggle more and they will threaten you if you leave. Examples: Peoples Temple, Heaven's Gate, Branch Davidians. Note that Islamic countries exhibit this behavior as well.

A good rule of thumb is how they handle the deity of Christ.
http://schnebin.blogspot.com/2007/04/strange-bedfellows.html

Those are some good basic principles for identifying a cult or cult-like behavior
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Cults are not illegal because it is difficult to get around the freedom of religion laws. Most cult behavior is brainwashing, th whit the bondage is voluntary.

Answer 2

Counterfeit Christianity is probably the best description I can give for a cult. Counterfeit Christianity is an imitation of real Christianity. Bible terms like "Jesus Christ, Resurrection, Salvation, and Atonement" are used by the Cult, but the various cult groups have assigned entirely different meanings to these terms.
Like counterfeit money which is sometimes difficult to detect, so it is difficult to detect counterfeit Christianity, since it looks like the real thing. Experts examining counterfeit money often hold it up to a strong light and look for identifying marks. Counterfeit Christianity also has identifying marks, which can be seen when, held up to an even stronger light, the light of God's word, the bible.
We are at an advantage if we know what to expect from a cult. Cultists are very well trained to appear "Christian", and indeed believe they are the true churches, and you need the deliverance! Therefore, be bold and ask the question, "do you believe the group you represent is the only true church on the face of the earth?"
If they reply that they are, or if they are evasive, making remarks like "Well, every church has a measure of truth but...", you have made an early detection of a Cultist.
Every true Christian, if asked the same question, regardless of his denomination, would reply that the true church is comprised of believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, and HE (not some organization) is THE WAY, THE TRUTH, AND THE LIFE, (John 14:6). No legitimate denomination would claim that they alone and their members have salvation exclusively, but the cults (the counterfeits) do.
They are not illegal as long as they do not break any laws.

Answer 3

No, not illegal until they break some law.

There is no universally agreed–upon definition of a cult; there are only some generally recognizable traits. Actually, there are three different dimensions of a cult—doctrinal, sociological, and moral. Below we take a brief look at these. Keep in mind, though, that not every cult manifests every single trait we discuss.

Doctrinal Characteristics of a Cult:

New Revelation. Many cult leaders claim to have a direct pipeline to God.

Denial of the Sole Authority of the Bible. Many cults deny the sole authority of the Bible.

A Distorted View of God and Jesus. Many cults set forth a distorted view of God and Jesus. The “Jesus Only” Oneness Pentecostals, for example, deny the Trinity and hold to a form of modalism, claiming that Jesus is God, and that “Father,” “Son,” and “Holy Spirit” are simply singular names for Jesus. The Jehovah’s Witnesses deny both the Trinity and the absolute deity of Christ, saying that Christ is a lesser god than the Father (who is God Almighty). The Mormons say Jesus was “procreated” (by a heavenly father and a heavenly mother) at a point in time, and was the spirit–brother of Lucifer. Mormons do speak of a “Trinity,” but redefine it into Tritheism (i.e., three gods). The Baha’is say Jesus was just one of many prophets of God. The Jesus of the spiritists is just an advanced medium. The Jesus of the Theosophists is a mere reincarnation of the so–called World Teacher (who is said to periodically reincarnate in the body of a human disciple). The Jesus of psychic Edgar Cayce is a being who in his first incarnation was Adam and in his thirtieth reincarnation was “the Christ.”

Sociological Characteristics of a Cult

Authoritarianism. Authoritarianism involves the acceptance of an authority figure who often uses mind–control techniques on group members. As prophet and/or founder, this leader’s word is considered ultimate. The late David Koresh of the Branch Davidian cult in Waco, Texas, is a tragic example. Other cults that involve authoritarianism include the Children of God (now called “The Family”), the Unification Church, and Jonestown (headed by Jim Jones).

Exclusivism. Another characteristic of cults is an exclusivism that says, “We alone have the truth.” The Mormons believe they are the exclusive community of the saved on earth. The Jehovah’s Witnesses believe they are the exclusive community of the saved.

Dogmatism. Closely related to the above, many cults are dogmatic—and this dogmatism is often expressed institutionally. For example, Mormons claim to be the only true church on earth. The Jehovah’s Witnesses claim that the Watchtower Society is the sole voice of Jehovah on earth. David Koresh said he alone could interpret the Bible. Many cults believe they have the truth in a suitcase, as it were. They alone are in possession of the divine oracles.

Moral Characteristics of a Cult

Legalism. Setting down a rigid set of rules by which the devotees must live is common to many cults. These standards are usually extrabiblical.

Sexual Perversion. Along with legalism, the twin vice of moral perversion is often found in the cults. Joseph Smith (and other Mormon leaders) had many wives. David Koresh claimed to own all the women in his group, even the young girls.

Intolerance toward Others. Toleration is not one of the virtues of the cultic mentality. Intolerance is often manifest in antagonism and sometimes culminates in killings. Both Mormon and Branch Davidian history have examples of this kind of violent intolerance. Of course, other religious groups, such as radical Muslims, are known for the same. Closer to home, the Spanish Inquisition is a manifestation of Christian cultic zeal.

Answer 4

A cult is a name that old religions give to new ones. When the new ones become old, they in their turn call the new ones cults.

Depending on the jurisdiction, cults are not illegal unless they engage in activities that are illegal in themselves.

Some cults are harmful and some are less so. Same goes for religions.

Answer 5

The note cult is distinctly subjective and could be interpreted to prepare to any faith. there is not any longer a not undemanding set definition of what's or isn't a cult it really is the reason you spot this note tossed at different religions perpetually. yet in many circumstances after we predict of cult we predict of of Jim Jones and David Koresh. As to what Scientology is, from what I comprehend that is a sequence of beliefs and ideas that can surely mingle with the followers modern-day faith. type of like an upload-on that would not conflict. Calling it a cult is really as a lot because the guy to pick, yet i personally evaluate them to be.

Answer 6

it depends on your defintion to the word the dictonary claims all formal relgious worship is a cult. honestly i think a cult is a group of people who force other to believe them and threaten them with death, physical injury or other things like that. which by that defintion there are not many cults. but then again that i what i believe a cult is others wont agree.

Answer 7

Any group of people that believe that there is any other way to get to Heaven besides the Blood of Jesus is a cult. Jesus said "I am the way the Truth and the Life, no one cometh to the Father but by Me.

Answer 8

No, cults aren't illegal.
The most widespread cult in the U.S. is called "Fundamentalist Christianity". I.e. Evangelicals, Baptists, etc... I simply refer to them as "fundies".

Answer 9

Websters dictionary defines cult as devoted attachment to, or extravagant admiration for, a person, principal, etc.

Answer 10

There are specific guidelines for cults: some of them are:

1. The Cult has a leader who is greater then Jesus to the followers.
2. They preach "another " Jesus
3. The have "another" revelation or bible
4. They preach salvation "another" way..not through Christ
5. The reject Christianity