What is a cult?

Question

Hey I'm Link:
My questions are not intended to be critical. Don't be so touchy. No need to be insulting.

I respect all beliefs, but I like asking questions. People SHOULD think about their beliefs.

They help me to think and they help others to think.

Answer 1

The term "cult" is a pejorative label used to describe certain religious groups outside of the mainstream of Western religion. Exactly which groups should be considered cults is a matter of disagreement amongt researchers in the cult phenomena, and considerable confusion exists. However, three definitions dominate the writings of social scientists, Christian counter-cult ministries, and secular anticultists.

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

Any organization that inhibits free will, free actions, free thinking, attempts mind control and discipline.

The U.S. Army would qualify.

The practise sensory deprivation, harrassment, teach you about "Charlie" and how evil "Charlie is" and how "Charlie" is out to get you and everyone else.

Communism would be a cult.

Now, something like the Presbyterians, for example, don't really qualify because they don't stop your ability to think, move to a new area, you don't have to ask permission to move, you can interpret their teachings as you choose. You can join the Masons. You can be friends with Muslims or Jewish people. You can work at any type of job. You don't even have to go to church regularly.

Answer 4

the problem with the word 'cult' is that it means different things to different folks. Often tiumes a person cals a belief system a cult because that belief system differs from this persons beliefs. But usually, a cult has a man leading it, rather than following closely what the Bible says.

Answer 5

Google Cult

Answer 6

A Cult is usually a group of people brainwashed into doing and believing what ever a certain person says in return for something like; getting to go to heaven, reaching nirvana, achieving peace, etc.

Answer 7

A cult is ANY religion or group that points to anything other than God's Word, the Bible. That would include Mormonism, Jehovah's Witnesses, etc.

For instance, Mormons claim they have "another gospel." They don't. It's a deception. They are also told what not to read or drink. They are told what to wear (magic underwear) as well. THAT is a major cult.

Answer 8

For such a criticle person I would expect you to have the cognitive ability to use the "Search for questions" Bar.

This has been asked 400 hundred times...

Answer 9

A cult is a simply a group of people who share a particular outlook on life, who receive bad press due to repeated allegations of brainwashing, kidnap, and "abuse" of its membership. Given the secrecy many "cults" have, it's often difficult to confirm/deny the allegations

"Cults" often dislike bad press about them see the story of CAN
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cult_Awareness_Network

What constitutes a DANGEROUS cult is debatable. The following might be of some help http://www.neopagan.net/ABCDEF.html

To put it simply, dangerous cults exists solely for the benefit of their leaders, and not to help/assist/benefit their wider membership.

Answer 10

A cult is usually defined to a religious group. Cults are usually churches that deny that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. Also, a church or organization that believes that they are the only 'true' church and that all others are false. eg: The Mormons, the Jehovah's Witnesses and the Roman Catholic Church. Just to name a few.

Answer 11

A cult is considered a small, religious group, often with a single charismatic leader, that engages in brainwashing and other mind control techniques, believes that the end of the world is imminent, isolates its members from their families and friends and collects large amounts of money from its members. The leader (usually a male) often assumes sexual domination of the group and sexual submission to the leader is a part of the teachings the group follows.