at least in the one charles manson had, the people didn't worship and pray to imaginary gods.
and don't even bring up the killing part of it. because more people have died of the premise of 'under God' than any other reason in history.
2007-08-02 07:36:18 · 13 answers · asked by plicketypow 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Because you can accept the teachings or walk away.
Not so with a cult.
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2007-08-02 07:43:32 · answer #1 · answered by Jacob W 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Many wars and many lives have been lost throughout history in wars fought over disagreements over God. The civil war in Iraq is being fought over "My God, though only slightly different from yours, is better than your God and therefore you must die".
Surely among all things this is what God is most displeased with.
A cult is usually defined in part as a group isolated in ideology from the rest of society and geographically secluded to some extent. Most religions of the world are interwoven into society rather than isolated.
Assuming you believe you are an atheist, you probably view some of the rituals associated with Christianity, Islam, Judaism and others to be pretty bizarre and maybe even quite silly. Although a Christian, I myself have come to this conclusion on many occasions as well.
Breaking it down to its most simple extreme, most religions are based upon the concept of good vs. evil. At the most fundamental level, I personally try as best I can to associate with good. Good above all is what I associate with my concept of God.
If hope this may help you to understand the basic concept of religion.
AAD
2007-08-02 08:01:22 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous A.D. 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Merriam-Webster defines a cult as:
formal religious veneration; a system of religious beliefs and ritual; also : its body of adherents; : 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. The body count for the bible god is 2.2 million dead and murdered. That's just in the bible itself and not counting the last 2000 years of history. So I would say yes all religions are cults.
2007-08-02 07:46:15 · answer #3 · answered by Robb 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I guess it depends on your definition of cult. Some dictionaries say any religion is a cult. Some say the the aberrant splinter groups are cults.
2007-08-02 07:43:37 · answer #4 · answered by easyericlife 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Actually, by definition, each religion begins as a cult, but once it spreads out enough, it is no longer referred to as such (since cults refer to small collections, not large, universal groups)
2007-08-02 07:40:08 · answer #5 · answered by Heidi S 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Who says it isn't. The negative tone given to the word cult is of modern origin.
2007-08-02 07:41:20 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not all religions operate like a cult.
2007-08-02 07:39:30 · answer #7 · answered by ZER0 C00L ••AM••VT•• 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Its the cult of personality.
2007-08-02 07:39:58 · answer #8 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
One requirement to define a group as a cult is secrecy. No one from the "outside" is allowed any information. Most religions I know of welcome people from the outside to know what goes on.
2007-08-02 07:42:45 · answer #9 · answered by Dusie 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
oohh, I love Charles Manson. He was a genius.
2007-08-02 07:43:30 · answer #10 · answered by Rainstar 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋