Is there a difference between Cults and Pseudo-Christian groups?

Question

Bear in mind that early Christianity was looked upon as a Cult.

Definition of cult is a group... who share a set of religious or quasi-religious beliefs, often imposed by a charismatic leader... and may be considered fanatical. Has become linked with brainwashing, mass suicide and even murder.

Pseudo means false, pretending or inauthentic, or having a close resemblance to.

Quasi means almost but not really, seemingly, resembling but not actually being.

What examples can you give of cults and/or pseudo-Christian groups?

Amendment: According to A.N. Wilson, author of the book PAUL, the mind of the apostle, the Jews detested the Christians and considered them to be a sect. In AD 64 fire broke out in Rome, burned for six days then was reignited. The Christians were blamed and used as a scapegoat. Nero had some of them crucified, others torn to pieces by wild dogs and others set alight as human torches. So, perhaps my question should be about sects and not cults. However, the term 'cult' is used so often on this site, I wondered if anybody actually knew what a cult was.

Folks, I haven't thought this question out properly. I've been saying that Jehovah's Witnesses are a cult. Now I've looked into the subject of cults and read examples of some, I think I may have been wrong to brand JW's as a cult. Perhaps they fall iinto to the pseudo-Christian camp? Does that help to narrow things down a bit?

The book I recently read on the subject of Cults broke them down into various categories:

Secret Societies
New Regilions
UFO Cults
Doomsday Cults
Sinister Sects
Modern Militants

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints was identified as a New Religion, but Jehovah's Witnesses were not. That's what got me thinking. What, exactly, is a cult and what, exactly is a sect. Then I came across the term Pseudo-Christian.

However, given the feedback, I can see that "name-calling" is detrimental and detracts from the true Gospel message and does nothing to honour God.

Answer 1

It's important to get words right, to understand the subtle differences between the genuine article and fakes. Especially with religion! Fakes give religion a bad name.

Unfortunately, we can get so caught up in name-calling (and cults, pseudo or quasi-Christians are not nice names - nobody wants to be called by them) that we can create a wrong impression. Christians know (because Jesus and the apostles warned them) that wolves in sheep's clothing would steal into the congregations and cause terrible damage, not least to God's good Name). So Christians must be alert to spot such dangerous fakes. Yet in the world at large, most people are turned off the gospel if Christians appear to be utterly taken up with this matter. That's why the main focus Christians needs to be pointing to, and living, is Christ - day by day. If the world does not see that, it's just going to say what a bunch of squabblers we are.

So, in order to turn your legitimate Q into an even better one that helps non-Christians, I would suggest a biblical definition of what a Christian is be presented as the standard by which all others can be compared. Jesus' own words on this would be the best standard. Needless to say, the pseudo-Christian groups have their own emphases on what identifies true Christianity. They shrewdly pick on what they see as the main faults and failings of their detractors, then portray themselves to be shining examples in those regards. That's not altogether such a bad thing, as it serves to stop genuine Christians resting on their laurels and can even goad them into repentance and changing. The simple truth is, no one group is practicing Christianity perfectly. We ALL need to be reforming continually. But whenever a group stands up and boasts that it ALONE has God's approval and will be the only one to survive his judgment, then that group is displaying a classic hallmark of pseudo-Christianity. Now you've mentioned quasi, I think that's the most accurate description, but as you point out, 'cult' has been adopted over the centuries and it's not going to shift easily. Pity.

Answer 2

I dont think that the early Christians really were considered a "cult". At least not at first. In later Roman times, yes. (starting about 70 a.d.)

At first they were considered a "branch" or "division" within Judaism. I think even the Christians thought of themselves that way. Which is why in the Book of Acts you see Peter and John going into the temple to worship. This is of course why the very Idea of letting gentiles into the "Jewish" religion by way of joining the "Nazarine" sect rocked the early Church. They were starting to understand just how radical and different the new Faith really was.
It must have been a shock to a first century jewish mindset. Some of them never really accepted it of course, and hence, along came the "Judaiezers" that troubled Paul so much.
Thanks for such a good question.
....theBerean

Answer 3

Any group,any leader,any people, any organization that set conditions/regulations to join that specific group i would consider a cult.
I don't think there is any difference between the two you mention.

Most people have the gift of discernment of what is being dished out to them and what motives are being expressed to maybe gather more followers to such groups and if not,
then all i can say is," don't be deceived, some are pretty crafty."

Most folks have a need to be accepted and perhaps an desire to belong even tho we are all individual we are naturally sociable, and can hardly live as an island.
We should be careful what is being said that might influence innocent minds and that may lead to brainwashing of the worst kind which i consider to be strapping on bombs to ones body............... and we know the rest.


Peace

Answer 4

I don´t know if is important that term but some religion are worse than some cults

The Land Letter was a letter sent to President George W. Bush by five evangelical Christian leaders on October 3, 2002 which outlined their theological support for a just war pre-emptive invasion of Iraq. The letter was written by Richard D. Land, president of the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention. It was co-signed by Chuck Colson, founder of Prison Fellowship Ministries, Bill Bright, chairman of Campus Crusade for Christ, James Kennedy, president of Coral Ridge Ministries, and Carl D. Herbster, president of the American Association of Christian Schools.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Land_Letter

Answer 5

Any religion or denomination of a religion can become fanatical enough to be deemed a cult. I think some cultist leaders use the Christian themes to make their beliefs seem more realistic and comforting to their followers. As a christian myself, I wouldn't hesitate to call of spade a spade, even if it was under a Christian guise. Cults are usually for the ultimate benefit of the leader(s) and sometimes the members. They're usually not meant for the benefit of mankind in general. (Like hinduism and buddhism and Christianity promote kindness to others...do unto others kind of things)

Cultish religions that are seemingly Christian are usually very inclusive. Some "pentecostal" groups that play with snakes. Those that forcibly highly restrict members. Those who's main focus is to glean high numbers of members. Radical groups that hurt others (anti-abortion bombers, those who beat up gays and non-white races). Even the KKK claimed to be Christian.

NONE of these are truly Christian. Jesus said you'll know them by their fruits and the fruit of the spirit is love, gentleness, meekness, patience, etc.

Answer 6

Jim Jones (extinct due to suicide)
David Koresh (extinct due to suicide)
Gates of Heaven (extinct due to suicide)
and there was a cult that told people to sell all their possessions and go live in the mountains because the second coming was going to happen at such and such a time. Of course, it never happened because no man knows the day or hour
Children of God/The Family
Westboro Baptist Church
Unification Church
Monte Kim Miller (San Francisco cult leader)
Mudgeerable (Claude Voril-Hon) UFO-Land, Montreal

Answer 7

The Branch Davidians, Scientology, The Church of Rev. Moon, Mormons.

Answer 8

The KKK is obviosly a cult. im still not sure what a Pseudo-Christian group is. I have a friend that is in a cult-ish church. The Unifactionist Church...sorry im not sure how to spell. they have very different beliefes than many people. they worship 1 person who they believe is a God with them now. it is what i have picked up from his when he talks about it. they are both quite secreative though.

Answer 9

even the early christians were doing wrong.
the disciples of john were mobbed by the disciples of the other apostles as heretics. even killed. so where to find the right scale?
it is hard to find ANY truth in such a chaos of cults and sectarian groups. better stay alone. but with god.

Answer 10

To your question specifically, just as all squares are rectangles but not all rectangles are squares, so to are all pseudo-Christian groups cults but not all cults are pseudo-Christian groups.

However, I would say that all religions are simply cults (or pseudo-Christian groups) with a lot of history to temper their inherent absurdity and to add the credence of endurance and history.