Time and time again, it seems like a lot of people throw around the word "cult" against a faith they don't like or don't understand to scare others away from it. Why do you think this is? I'd rather respect the differences in beliefs than to bad-mouth someone else's by trying to frighten people.
2007-05-04 05:29:34 · 17 answers · asked by Daniel 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
*Severely, not severly.
2007-05-04 05:34:29 · update #1
This is the one thing that can upset me more than anything else!
It's really frustrating to be called a "brainwashed cult member" by people who are supposed to be Christians and thus filled with love-NOT!
It's hurtful, judgmental and abusive. Heaven's Gate was a cult- just because a Christian group doesn't fall into the mainstream ideal of what Christian should be (no hellfire, immortal soul or trinitarian belief), then it is automatically classed as a cult to scare people away from it and make it look bad!
But what really gets to me is the fact that, instead of verifying the information given to them, most people believe it and repeat it to others, until the untruth is truth and anything that refutes it is dismissed.
It's sad, really.
*James W: My my, aren't you a fantastic example of love and kindness? You are quite the Christian, aren't you? (eye roll) I am SO sure that Jesus is pleased at the vitriol spewing from your mouth! Crawl back under your rock! Pest . . . .*
2007-05-04 05:37:55 · answer #1 · answered by danni_d21 4 · 6⤊ 0⤋
I know what a cult is. Yes, I've taken the time to look it up, do a little research. I know what qualifies and what doesn't and why. I may not be an expert but I don't throw the word around like poison, hoping to contaminate everything it touches. I use it appropriately... like when I say Scientology is a cult, I can back it up.
Is Scientology a cult? Yes, & this is why:
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20070417053947AAZZTLc
2007-05-04 05:35:23 · answer #2 · answered by ZER0 C00L ••AM••VT•• 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Your so right. That is exactlly why people classify a faith different then theirs a cult you can already see it in some of the answers. Its sad really. Are world could be a much better place place if we only respected and let others believe what they want. Some are just like the mob in Beauty and the Beast...."we dont like what we don't understand.....so we will kill the beast" Hatred is wrong no matter what form it comes in, and when we are persecuting others relgious beliefs it is a form of hatred.
2007-05-04 13:41:40 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Yes, like most words there is more than 1 meaning.
For the most part, today the use of the word is
immediately associated w/ a negative connotation.
I've looked it up recently @dictionary.com.
Manipulate is another 'real good example'.
Some1 once told me, I manipulate my children; needless to say I was fuming mad!! Then I went & looked it up.
And, yes, I did manipulate my children; as any good, responsible parent should. I lead them, by the hand, and taught each 1 to cross a street, safely.Yes, I manipulated the child. Lead him/her the way he/ she was to go. See, but when ya 1st say 'manipulate', the neg., meaning comes to mind, First!
Some words can be rendered w/ a positive or negative meaning.
2007-05-04 07:01:03 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 0⤋
according to wikipedia: "In religion and sociology, a cult is a term designating a cohesive group of people (generally, but not exclusively a relatively small and recently founded religious movement) devoted to beliefs or practices that the surrounding culture or society considers to be outside the mainstream."
Here in the US we are a secular society with a government intended for freedom, justice, and the common good of the people. Religions that try to force themselves into public policy could well be considered "outside the mainstream" of public society.
"Normal" christians (and other religions) are fine with me, while I consider the nutjob fundie evangelists a very dangerous cult.
2007-05-04 05:39:00 · answer #5 · answered by zmj 4 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Jehovah's Witnesses have been labeled a cult because they reject the trinity. I would like those who say that about us to show me that definition in a reliabe dictionary.
Jehovah's Witnesses reject the trinity because that concept of God is not found there. There is not one verse that says God is composed of 3 co-equal, co-eternal, and almighty persons. As hard as you may search, you won't find.
2007-05-04 13:20:16 · answer #6 · answered by LineDancer 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Frequently, when Christian use the word "cult" they are referring to anything non-Christian, or religious groups that deviate too much from the mainstream. The notion that there are legitmate religions in the world besides their own is alien to them.
2007-05-04 05:32:58 · answer #7 · answered by Scott M 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
No freedom and not being waiting to do what you elect because of the fact stupid human beings don't understand and locate it unacceptable. Society isn't morals. it is doing what the guy needs us to, and not disrespecting him. i don't have a psychological image of it, however.
2017-01-09 11:41:04 · answer #8 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
james w. everytime a question about Jehovah Witnesses comes up, you say we are a cult. we are not a cult. we worship Jehovah and Jesus Christ. a cult worships man and live together. in one state. we live in our own homes and may be your next door neighbor and we live in 236 lands worldwide. learn what a cult is. charles manson for one and they still worship him and he is in jail for life
2007-05-04 06:44:57 · answer #9 · answered by lover of Jehovah and Jesus 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
I am not sure what you mean. If you mean play nice with one another in this forum, I say, "great"! Let's do it.
If you mean that "it is ok to believe whatever you want to believe as long as you are sincere", I must say, "that won't do".
Religious pluralism does nothing but dilute the biblical message from God, that there is but one path to eternal redemption.
I will continue to treat those that disagree respectfully and hope for rational and intelligent dialogue, but I won't ransom away what I believe in favor of some sort of ecumenical détente. Stand for something, or fall for everything.
Christ makes it very clear:
Luk 12:51 Do you think that I have come to give peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division.
(ESV tranlation)
To me, Christ's words lay to rest any theory that Jesus came to unite all humanity (godly and ungodly) into a single “universal brotherhood of man.” Rather, He divided them as they have never been divided before!
That said, there is no reason to be disrespectful when discussing why one believes this or that.
2007-05-04 05:35:16 · answer #10 · answered by Ask Mr. Religion 6 · 1⤊ 4⤋