Why do Christians label some religions as CULTS?

Question

Here are a few definitions of cult from the dictionary:

1. a particular system of religious worship, esp. with reference to its rites and ceremonies.
2. an instance of great veneration of a person, ideal, or thing, esp. as manifested by a body of admirers: the physical fitness cult.
3. the object of such devotion.
4. a group or sect bound together by veneration of the same thing, person, ideal, etc.
5. Sociology. a group having a sacred ideology and a set of rites centering around their sacred symbols

So isn't Christianity too a CULT according to definition?

Answer 1

Yes, it is.

And wow, you're not gonna make friends by bringing that up to them.

Answer 2

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

There are no rites or ceremonies in Bible based Christianity.

2. an instance of great veneration of a person, ideal, or thing, esp. as manifested by a body of admirers: the physical fitness cult.

This does not happen in Bible based Christianity either, We worship God but we don't have a local leader. Jesus is God Who came in the flesh so this does not apply to Jesus.

3. the object of such devotion.

Not sure what you are getting at here.

4. a group or sect bound together by veneration of the same thing, person, ideal, etc.

Again this does not exist with Bible based Christianity.

5. Sociology. a group having a sacred ideology and a set of rites centering around their sacred symbols

Again this does not exist within Bible based Chrisitanity.

As I have said many times, when I refer to Mormons and JWs I don't call them cults. I call them "false cults".

Do you know why I call them "false cults" instead of just cults?

I label them "false cults" since they claim to be something which they are not.

Venerating somoene who is not god, but pretends to be is huge problem.

Venerating the real God is not a problem.

Pastor Art

PS: I found where your defintion of a cult came from, why did you omit defintion numbers 6, 7 and 8?

6. 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.

7. the members of such a religion or sect.

8. any system for treating human sickness that originated by a person usually claiming to have sole insight into the nature of disease, and that employs methods regarded as unorthodox or unscientific.

Answer 3

Take a Sociology class.

Among many things, you will study religions, sects and cults.


A cult is a term designating a cohesive group of people (generally, but not exclusively a relatively small and recently founded religious movement[1]) devoted to beliefs or practices that the surrounding culture or society considers to be outside the mainstream. Its status may come about either due to its novel belief system, its idiosyncratic practices, its perceived harmful effects on members, or because its perceived opposition to the interests of the mainstream culture. Non-religious groups may also display cult-like characteristics.

Answer 4

I think you forgot about the 6th definition of Random House Unabridged Dictionary:

---"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."

That's why Christians use the word cult a lot. They are just claiming that anything that doesnt align with the Holy Bible, and that follows a God other than Jesus Christ the son of God is a cult.

So Christianity is not a cult because its followers believe in a God that is not made up or false; but a living God who was raised from the dead.

Answer 5

I found this definition as well: great devotion to a person, idea, object, movement, or work (as a film or book); especially : such devotion regarded as a literary or intellectual fad.

For me, the meaning of cult is a recently started (a fad) "religion" which is NOT founded on God or Jesus. "Cult" to me, is NOT based on faith, but more on fear or hate or brain washing or taking advantage of confused people or involving drugs. Members of cults do not worship God; they make other things ("hate" for instance) gods and worship them.

By definition, they seem to be synonymous, but to me there are innuendo attached to both.

Answer 6

yes Christianity is a cult just like all other religions. The only problem i see is the word cult has changed meaning over the course of time. i.e the word "Gay" definition is happy or glad but now when ever you hear it everybody thinks of homosexuals. this is the problem with your logic but you do bring up a very good point.

Answer 7

'Cult' comes from the Latin word 'cultus', meaning Worship.
I got caught up with a christian cult when I was 13. I didn't come out of it till I was 31. those people have a lot to answer for. having said that I know a lot of very good people who are christians, who just live a decent life without getting fanatical. Any religion that branches off into the fantical could be called a cult in my opinion.

Answer 8

Of course it is,............ as are all the religions. There are good ones and bad ones just like there are good humans and bad humans. Still a little light is better than no light at all so go find your light. And while you are searching you might keep this in mind. "The truth is found within........ not out there somewhere."

Answer 9

What makes you think just Christians label other religions? I know what a cult is and I am a Christian.

Why do other people criticize Christians?

Answer 10

christians believe their religion is the only right true way, so they put down others to make themselves look better. Other religions recognize and respect others.

Answer 11

You're right, but most people look at cults as being evil!