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.
I would say yes, in many respects that the ideology is cultish. What say you?
2007-07-15 10:36:30 · 11 answers · asked by Jack Rivall 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
all religions are cults
2007-07-16 03:28:56 · answer #1 · answered by slopoke6968 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I say you can call it anything you want. But in our language, cult has a negative connotation. In any context, cult is bad. The important concept to grasp is mainstream acceptance of the religion.
Consider the ruling by the Catholic pope which states the Catholic church is the only real church.
The pope believes he has authority to render invalid all other religions world wide.
Your dictionary definition of cult also describes the Catholic church, if taken as written.
Both have equal authority to dispense definitions and | guarantee the pope would disagree with that. Which is correct?
As I stated in the first paragraph, in our language the word cult describes a religion which is not generally accepted as being valid.
What that amounts to for your question is that you can't use a dictionary to make a point while ignoring the importance of word usage in common language.
You say cult, and in general people are going think of Jim Jones or someone like him.
2007-07-15 18:17:39 · answer #2 · answered by Lorenzo H 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
"Christianity" is used for some religions that aren't true Christian churches. Catholicism is called Christianity but it isn't the true Christian church. A true Church of Christ doesn't have instrumental music and does not speak against Christ. Some "Christian Churches" may be cults, I don't know, but the true Church of Christ is not a cult. We don't have people trying to be God and people killing themselves by mass suicided because someone trying to be God told them to. If you need help spiritually go to the nearest true Church of Christ and ask them to help you, I'm sure they will be more than happy to answer any questions you may have. I hope this answered your question.
2007-07-15 17:47:15 · answer #3 · answered by Katie 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
No. Christianity is all about in having faith in Christ and being saved for eternal life forever.
2007-07-15 22:44:32 · answer #4 · answered by DANIEL F 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yup. It also has that strong "creepy" feeling like a cult.
2007-07-15 17:40:08 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
No. Christianity is devotion to God. A cult usually has little to do with God and a lot to do with the one leading the cult.
2007-07-15 17:41:09 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 4⤋
I'm sure that some sects of it are.
2007-07-15 17:38:48 · answer #7 · answered by The Pope 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Oh yeah!
2007-07-15 17:48:15 · answer #8 · answered by Laura 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
yes it is
2007-07-15 17:49:41 · answer #9 · answered by Heather W 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
No!. Christianity isnt a cult.Christianity is a good religion.and im proud to be christian.
2007-07-15 17:40:12 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 5⤋