Are some religions borderline cults ?

Question

Been looking up on certain religions (wont say which in case i offend) and some are just so far fetched in their beliefs that its almost as if they are a big, organised cult following ?
Anyone agree ?

I define a cult, personally, as a group that changes your own ways of thinking to theirs, so that it could benifit them in some way.

Answer 1

Yes, I do agree with you. I have studied different religions in some detail, and many faiths which are commonly thought to be official religions, are actually in fact cults. Here, I am not using the word 'cult' in a negative way, so please don't anybody get offended! A cult in this sense is simply a spin-off of an official religion, and this is in no way a bad thing. Jehovah's witnesses, for example, would claim to be a form of christianity, however it is outside orthodox Christianity and so they are considered to be, theologically, a cult of Christianity.
I won't go as far to say that I think the beliefs of such cults are far-fetched/ridiculous (I have to be careful how I word this so I don't offend!) but some people may believe they are (ie. Jehovah's witnesses forbidding blood transfusions, resulting in many unnecessary deaths or scientology's creative opinion of how the world began). I guess it just all comes down to a difference of opinion, which isn't a bad thing I suppose... makes life all the more interesting. :)
x

Answer 2

Aren't all religions 'far fetched in their beliefs'? Aren't they all cults? Isn't the only difference between an accepted religion and a cult the number of followers it has?

Answer 3

As said previously all religions are cults. Just because you have thousands and millions of followers, rather than a handful, it doesn't stop it being a cult. They are all so far-fetched with not one ounce of evidence to prove any of their rantings to be true.

For those who see atheism as a cult, you have to HAVE a belief for it to count as a cult. Atheism is not believing in fairy tales! Its very simple (like most of members of the "god" squad!). Lol

Answer 4

Cult: A belief in a philosophy or a teacher that is followed by a number of people. Thus all belief systems are cults

So it is left to identify whether a false cult, a dangerous cult, a non-Christian cult, and so forth.

Answer 5

According to this dictionary definition of the word "cult", it would appear that any religion or belief system could be considered as such.


cult [ kult ] (plural cults)


noun

Definition:

1. religion: a system of religious or spiritual beliefs, especially an informal and transient belief system regarded by others as misguided, unorthodox, extremist, or false, and directed by a charismatic, authoritarian leader


2. religious group: a group of people who share religious or spiritual beliefs, especially beliefs regarded by others as misguided, unorthodox, extremist, or false


3. idolization of somebody or something: an extreme or excessive admiration for a person, philosophy of life, or activity ( often used before a noun )
the cult of youth
a cult hero


4. object of idolization: a person, philosophy, or activity regarded with extreme or excessive admiration


5. fad: something popular or fashionable among a devoted group of enthusiasts ( often used before a noun )
has taken on cult status


6. cultural anthropology system of supernatural beliefs: a body of organized practices and beliefs supposed to involve interaction with and control over supernatural powers


7. sociology elite group: a self-identified group of people who share a narrowly defined interest or perspective


[Early 17th century. Directly or via French< Latin cultus "worship" < colere "cultivate"]


cult·ic adjective
cult·ish adjective
cult·ish·ly adverb
cult·ish·ness noun
cult·ism noun
cult·ist noun

Answer 6

Yes. I am not sure if there is a definitive decision making framework or set of criteria for defining a cult, and some things may be slightly subjective, but there are definately some religions which are borderline cults.

Answer 7

By the strict definition, that being that a cult is a religious belief based on falsehood, then at best, all but 1 are cults....and it is possible that all are cults.

Answer 8

For sure, just look at Scientology and Christianity. Any religion run by fundamentalists is pretty much a cult.

Answer 9

every religion by the definition of the word is a cult... yes even my own
the difference you want to look for is , are they a peaceful cult or a dangerous one

Answer 10

I think you have to define what exactly you mean by a cult?