What is your definition of a cult?

Question

Is a cult any religion that's different from yours? What makes a cult different from a "real" religion? Why? Is it possible for a cult to become a conventional religion? If so, how? Does anyone ever say they belong to a cult or is it just a phrase used to criticise groups that someone doesn't like?

Answer 1

A cult is a religion that has not been institutionalized yet.
The difference is in casual acceptance, time and numbers.
Christianity was one time a cult in Pagan Rome. So yes, cults can become conventional religions. If not for Constantine there might be institutionalized Roman Pagan churches and offshoots in America today!
No dangerous cult advertises itself as a dangerous cult.
"New Religious Movement" is one of the politically correct terms used to avoid the abuses in these groups and in greater institutionalized religion as a whole.

"Free Your Mind and the rest will follow"
En Vogue

Answer 2

Normally people in cults cannot see the cultish nature of the organization (and I use that term broadly).
What defines an organization as a cult is that it is overbearingly rigid, controlling actions, associations, thought processes, isolating their members, psycological manipulations, the belief that they are the only source of truth/light/salvation/hope for anyone, the belief that all those not associated with their organization are doomed, and most importantly are misleading their followers towards harm.

Most organizers of what becomes a cult do not have as their aim to be mainstream or conventional, so I would have to say no.

Cult has been used to criticise groups, that is true, however just because it is overused, does not negate the fact that some organizations are cults.

And finally, a cult is not necessarily any religion that is different than mine or yours.

Real Christian religion can be traced back to Jesus' time, by their beliefs, practices, and creeds. Real Christian religions are evident by their belief in the 2 basic laws given by Jesus: Love God and Love our neighbor. It will also be fundamentally in agreement with basic truths that have been established since Jesus' time: Salvation by grace through accepting Jesus as our Savior, belief in a positive and negative afterlife, etc.

Answer 3

To me, it's an organization of brainwashed people. It's comprised of a group of people who follow a certain belief that's dictated by one person. It could involve religion. Religion seems to be the biggest smokescreen that these cults put up. Taliban, Al Qaeda, Hamas, etc. all have the characteristics of a cult. Just plain extremists in general, i think. Like groups that exclude certain ethnicities or beliefs and want to eradicate them. A cult can also consist of people who just want to separate themselves from the general population or certain other groups. I am saying this in the extreme form. For example, the Jews and the Christians and the Buddhists and Hindis and whoever else I missed going to extremes. It's not just Muslims. Look at the rest of the world and you will see all the bloodshed that results mostly from religious disagreements It's disgusting. I believe that all differences should be solved by a game of chess or checkers. Anything nonviolent and universal. I know it sounds dumb, but I don't care.

Answer 4

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 5

One thing about cults is they always deny that Jesus is God
Another thing is that they claim their church is the only way to salvation

Two sure signs of a cult

I suggest check out a book or two from a former member of one of these exclusive groups

Answer 6

a cult can mean any belief system.
however, it is typically reserved for identifying religious sects that teach heterodox doctrine.
it's not about like or dislike.
it's about accepted truth.
there are some doctrines contrary to original teachings that are pernicious in nature and effect. those doctrines are called heresy, and those who profess heresy today are labeled cults instead of heretics.

Answer 7

Any group, including religion, that requires having an unwavering and unquestioning belief in something. I include Christianity and radical Islam to be the worlds two biggest cults because they do not allow for free thought or differences.

Answer 8

All religions are cults. Some are just more established, and thus need not resort to extreme measures trying to compete.