DIfference between cult and religion?

Question

I've heard that cults are negative things that brainwash it's followers, but couldn't that be true about a religion as well?

Answer 1

what you believe=religion
what everyone else believes in=cult

see isn't that simple...

Answer 2

A layman's definition of a cult is a group of people who believe in or do something different than I do. But seriously, when you mix three tenets you create a very harmful and dangerous situation: 1) The group is very secretive 2) Only members can know all the group's beliefs and practices 3) Once a member joins, there is no way to leave Not trying to say any specific group does 1) through 3) above, just defining what a cult really is.

Answer 3

Jim Jones, David Koresh, so many others--

like Paul of bible, it's when a belief makes an individual the center for control and as a medium

see also the book: The Guru Papers: Masks of Authoritarian Power

"To maintain mental control it is necessary to undermine self-trust. This is insidiously done by removing the ways people can build trust in themselves."(p.73)

"Cults need a continuous stream of recruits and potential converts to reinforce the belief that they’re "where it’s at"- the vanguard of spirituality on the planet."(78)

"What most proselytizing groups face is how to sell their beliefs without appearing to do so. Recruiting is therefore always done in the name of helping or doing some kind of good....to care about others is to get them to join."(p.79)

"When dealing with others who are less certain, simply having certainty gives dominance." (p.80)

"When the popularity and power of the group plateaus and then begins to wane...the apocalyptic phase enters and the party is over..."(p.80)

"The attitude of benign superiority toward outsiders characteristic of the expansionistic phase dramatically shifts when the group turns apocalyptic. It is the outsiders who will receive the brunt of whatever cataclysm the guru claims will come." (p.81)

"The glorification of work always involves improving the leader’s property (the commune or ashram), increasing his wealth, or some grandiose project."(p.82)

"The potential for violence and abuse in an authoritarian cult is always there, not only because whatever the leader says goes, but also because outsiders are made into "the Other," which has always been used to justify violence."(p.83)

"Both gurus and disciples use hierarchical relationships for power. Everyone on the hierarchy gets their feelings of power and specialness from where they are positioned." (p.85)

"authoritarian hierarchies are propped up with an authoritarian worldview and morality. No matter their stated rationale, their main purpose always becomes self-perpetuation, which inevitably corrupts them." (p.86)

"...proselytizing and advertising are cut from the same cloth. The enormous attention given to appearance leads to a concern for packaging rather than what’s inside the package."(p.88)

"Gurus do give special attention to those with wealth or power; having celebrities in one’s entourage increases coffers, influence, and membership."(p.89)

Answer 4

Well, I imagine that the main difference is what they worship or who they worship. I would say that for the most part, cults aren't dangerous, just the ones that brainwash you into commiting suicide. So yes, they can be. You just have to know the signs. But I'm sure that a person can believe whatever they want.

Answer 5

Really? Not a whole lot. Established religion and cult practices are pretty much the same in terms of veneration of a deity, religious ceremonies and rituals, etc.
The word cult took on a negative connotation when the adherents of any religious sect branched out on their own due to doctrinal disputes. They later were called heretics to further inflict verbal damamge and ensure non-acceptace by the religious community at large.
The catholic church does this every time they "ex-communicate" someone because the stigma attached to the person pretty much stays with them for life.

Even I am considered a heretic in my own community because of the nasty debates I've instigated with complacent christians. Hell, I walk into a church around here, and the people gasp and act like Satan just walked in the front door.

Sad,sad,sad,....sad,sad.

Answer 6

Yes, a cult brainwashes people, the people do whatever the one leader says... But even puting that in the same sentance as religion? DESPICABLE!

Religion teaches true principles and lets them govern themselves. In cult, leader forces them to do things.

Answer 7

There is absolutely nothing different between cults and religion.

Cult: 1. a particular system of religious worship, esp. with reference to its rites and ceremonies.

Religion: 1. a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, esp. when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies, usu. involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code for the conduct of human affairs.

Answer 8

there is no difference. religion is accepted as 'normal' and cults are not. personally they are both dangerous and they both brainwash thier followers.

Answer 9

Rule of thumb: If Tom Cruise likes it, it's probably a cult.

Answer 10

For the first 100 years, it's a cult.

Answer 11

A "religion" is the supernatural nonsensical tripe a person believes in. A "cult" is other people's nonsensical tripe!