What is the difference between a c.ult and a religion?

Answer 1

I recently got to know of a former member of a group from the US called the Children of God, (circa 80's to early 90's) who used the bible's jesus to recruit young girls to agree to group sex, saying it was god's will for the girls to have orgies with them and made their parents believe they should allow their children to do it with their leaders as a form of salvation.

The group was found out by the local press, and after a searing investigative report was forced to disband, non of the young girls filed charges because they were poor and the shame was bad enough, they were rescued by local social workers and went through counselling / therapy.

this is a subjective definition based on my observation of their behavior.
cults and cult members dont know why they believe what they believe but believe blindly anyway.
their leaders are usually narcissistic and usually claim to be infallible; the only one who has final authority on everything from matters of religion to its members finances.
Taking advantage of weak-willed people, and are disrespectfull to their parents.

Answer 2

A layman's definition of a cult is a team of folk who have self belief in or do some thing distinctive than I do. yet heavily, once you combine 3 tenets you create an extremely risky and unsafe project: a million) the team is very secretive 2) in elementary terms contributors can understand each and all of the team's ideals and practices 3) as quickly as a member joins, there is no thank you to go away no longer attempting to declare any particular team does a million) with the aid of 3) above, in simple terms defining what a cult incredibly is.

Answer 3

General agreement with the other answers. All religions are technically cults. However, we tend to use the word specifically to describe religions with small numbers of people and religions that are contrary to the speaker's beliefs, and we also tend to use it to refer specifically to destructive groups.

If you're looking for information on what is or is not a destructive cult, I'd recommend www.rickross.com. It gives a lot of definitions and tons of information on both destructive groups and also of groups sometimes called cultic but actually harmless.

Answer 4

Cults usually are religions...just gone awry. They all are cults, in my opinion, but this is the definition of cult.

A religion or sect considered to be false, unorthodox, or extremist, with members often living outside of conventional society under the direction of a charismatic leader;

Answer 5

Not a simple question. Eye of the beholder counts for quite a bit.

HOWEVER, the danger to the physical, mental and emotional health, socialization and economic well-being of the devotee is the greatest factor to be considered. Doctrinal differences are not nearly so important as they blur the most imminent threats. Put on your own oxygen mask first.

Answer 6

No difference what so ever. Look up the defintion of cult and the first answer is "religion"

Answer 7

Popularity.

Answer 8

The spelling of the words... and how people perceive the definitions (a cult is always what that Other person is believing in...). But in general definition... they are the same.

Answer 9

I think the main difference is what it is based on, a belief of a person, or something else.

Answer 10

a religion just has greater numbers and is more accepted in society.