Does anyone know what a cult is?

Question

Every day that I log on to answers I am amazed at how many people don't really know what a cult is. What is even more disturbing is they don't know what a Christian cult is.

I often discredit and expose the Jehovas Witness and Mormons as Christian cults. In defense of these organizations people will shoot back and tell me organized religon is a cult or that diffrent Christian denomanations are cults.

They hate the word cult so much yet they really have no clue what it means. They can't even tell you what a Christian cult is.

Is there anyone out there who knows what a cult or Christian cult is? Please tell me someone does!

Thank God! Some of you guys are really smart.

Answer 1

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[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.

In common usage "cult" has a negative connotation and is generally applied to a group by opponents for a variety of reasons. "This popular use of the term has gained such credence and momentum that it has virtually swallowed up the more neutral historical meaning of the term from the sociology of religion" James T. Richardson wrote in 1993. Understandably, most, if not all, groups that are called "cults" reject this label. Some anthropologists and sociologists studying cults have argued that no one has yet been able to define “cult” in a way that enables the term to identify only groups that have been identified as problematic. Richardson's 1993 article summarized the scholarly dialogue.

The literal and traditional meaning of the word cult is derived from the Latin cultus, meaning "care" or "adoration," as "a system of religious belief or ritual; or: the body of adherents to same" 32. In English, it remains neutral and a technical term within this context to refer to the "cult of Artemis at Ephesus" and the "cult figures" that accompanied it, or to "the importance of the Ave Maria in the cult of the Virgin." This usage is more fully explored in the entry Cult (religious practice).

In non-English European terms, the cognates of the English word "cult" are neutral, and refer mainly to divisions within a single faith, a case where English speakers might use the word "sect," as in "Roman Catholicism, Eastern Orthodoxy and Protestantism are sects (or denominations) within Christianity." In French or Spanish, culte or culto simply means "worship" or "religious attendance"; thus an association cultuelle is an association whose goal is to organize religious worship and practices.

The word for "cult" in the popular English meaning is secte (French) or secta (Spanish). In German the usual word used for the English cult is Sekte, which also has other definitions. A similar case is the Russian word sekta

Answer 2

Counterfeit Christianity is probably the best description I can give for a cult. Counterfeit Christianity is an imitation of real Christianity. Bible terms like "Jesus Christ, Resurrection, Salvation, and Atonement" are used by the Cult, but the various cult groups have assigned entirely different meanings to these terms.
Like counterfeit money which is sometimes difficult to detect, so it is difficult to detect counterfeit Christianity, since it looks like the real thing. Experts examining counterfeit money often hold it up to a strong light and look for identifying marks. Counterfeit Christianity also has identifying marks, which can be seen when, held up to an even stronger light, the light of God's word, the bible.
We are at an advantage if we know what to expect from a cult. Cultists are very well trained to appear "Christian", and indeed believe they are the true churches, and you need the deliverance! Therefore, be bold and ask the question, "do you believe the group you represent is the only true church on the face of the earth?"
If they reply that they are, or if they are evasive, making remarks like "Well, every church has a measure of truth but...", you have made an early detection of a Cultist.
Every true Christian, if asked the same question, regardless of his denomination, would reply that the true church is comprised of believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, and HE (not some organization) is THE WAY, THE TRUTH, AND THE LIFE, (John 14:6). No legitimate denomination would claim that they alone and their members have salvation exclusively, but the cults (the counterfeits) do.

Answer 3

The media has put a definite spin on what a cult is. I think it has really begun since Charles Manson and Jim Jones day. I think when people hear cult, these are the first people that come to mind. Also I think the word cult implies to some people "60's communes". There have been so many men who represent themselves as leaders and prey on weak minded insecure individuals. And will start a "ministry" and classify their lifestyle as a religious cult. A true religous family or church is in a way a cult or group of individuals who share a common goal or belief. But the world "cult' in itself has been so tainted that it is reserved for the "insane leader and his simpleton followers"

Answer 4

Cult- 1. a system or community of religious worship and ritual
2. A religion of religious sect generally considered to be extremist or bogus.
3. Obsessive devotion or veneration for a person, principle, or ideal.
4. An exclusive group of of persons sharing an esoteric interest.
In case you don't know what esoteric is: 1. Intended for or understood by only a particular group

So while def. #2 for cult is specifically aimed at JW/Mormons (in your eyes). All the others quite accurately explain/include/describe organized religion.

So, to answer your ?, yes I know what a cult is, and when I reference it I do use it properly.

Answer 5

My dictionary defines any religion as a cult. I reject that description.

In the popular vernacular a cult is a religious group that uses coercion to acquire or retain its members. As the cornerstone of religion is belief, rather than pretended belief in order to avoid punishment, a cult is not a legitimate religion.

Many cults do claim to be branches of legitimate religions - for example the Branch Davidians were a splinter group from a comparatively innocuous Christian church. I suggest that they meet your description of a Christian cult.

The JW and LDS are alleged to cut off all contact from friends and family who leave their churches. If that is true, then they would also qualify as cults (because that is coercion).

However, cult members do not deserve our hate, but our sympathy - and, wherever possible, our help.

I see from a previous question of yours that you have a low opinion of atheists like myself. If people like you can agree with people like me on what the real enemy is, then perhaps there's a hope somewhere.

Answer 6

Either "the guy down the street that doesn't believe the same way I do," Or cult –noun 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.
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.
–adjective 9. of or pertaining to a cult.
10. of, for, or attracting a small group of devotees: a cult movie.

Sorry, but I need more than your word to believe what you say.

Answer 7

cult –noun 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.
6. a religion or sect considered to be false, unorthodox, or extremist, with members often living outside of convention

Or if you look at it the way some people do, it's anyone who doesn't believe the same as another person. It's hard not to jump to the conclusion someone is just expressing an idea different to anothers.

Answer 8

cult /kult/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[kuhlt] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation

–noun 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.
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.
–adjective 9. of or pertaining to a cult.
10. of, for, or attracting a small group of devotees: a cult movie.

From this definition, it appears that you are the minister of a cult.

You can seek to redefine it all you want, but it wont work, Kip. "cult" SUGGESTS extreme beliefs - but is not defined as such. So, you are the member of a cult as well. Deal with it, Padre.

Answer 9

cult /kʌlt/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[kuhlt] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–noun 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.
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.
–adjective 9. of or pertaining to a cult.
10. of, for, or attracting a small group of devotees: a cult movie.

Answer 10

Well, Webster defines cult as.....

Main Entry: cult
Pronunciation: 'k<
Function: noun
Usage: often attributive
Etymology: French & Latin; French culte, from Latin cultus care, adoration, from colere to cultivate -- more at WHEEL
1 : formal religious veneration : WORSHIP
2 : a system of religious beliefs and ritual; also : its body of adherents
3 : a religion regarded as unorthodox or spurious; also : its body of adherents
4 : a system for the cure of disease based on dogma set forth by its promulgator
5 a : 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 b : the object of such devotion c : a usually small group of people characterized by such devotion

So how would you distinguish your particular faith from others? What makes them a cult and not your religion?