Different religions considered a cult?

Question

Often I hear of my own religion as being considered a cult. I am curious though it hat ways would you consider other religions a form of a cult. Like Catholics, Protestants, Jews, Buddahists and any other?

Answer 1

I do not label religions as cults. Many who do are merely trying to discredit them and would therefore label any religion that is not their religion as a cult. I find things of value in most religions and encourage people to follow their path in peace and allow me to do the same. The only time I would consider religion as a cult is when it tells its followers to commit murder or suicide (Jim Jones and The People's Temple, Heaven's Gate, Branch Davidians). I do not agree with religions that brainwash their followers to believe that they are the only way and all other religions or denominations are evil and wrong, but I save the term cult to describe groups that kill themselves or others.
If you do not belong to one of those groups, then I do not consider you to be in a cult.

Answer 2

It helps to know what a cult is. Many "apologists" define cults in various ways.

The American Heritage Dictionary defines a cult this way:

"A religion or religious sect generally considered to be extremist or false, with its followers often living in an unconventional manner under the guidance of an authoritarian, charismatic leader."

If that is the true definition, than most religions are cults!

There is ONLY ONE TRUTH!!! Where is this truth? If you search diligently in prayer, you will find it.

GOD bless

Answer 3

Virtually all of the mainstream religions started as cults, if you accept the "charismatic leader" tag. Until they reached the mainstream they were all regarded as groups of borderline weirdos with odd or heretical beliefs.
That includes any form of Christianity - their founder, Jesus, is regarded as having simply stepped out for a while, and Roman Catholics believe the Pope is just keeping the seat warm until He returns.

Answer 4

Main Entry: cult
Function: noun
Usage: often attributive
Etymology: French & Latin; French culte, from Latin cultus care, adoration, from colere to cultivate -- more at WHEEL

1 : formal religious veneration : WORSHIP

2 : a system of religious beliefs and ritual; also : its body of adherents

3 : a religion regarded as unorthodox or spurious; also : its body of adherents

4 : a system for the cure of disease based on dogma set forth by its promulgator

5 a : 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

b : the object of such devotion

c : a usually small group of people characterized by such devotion

Answer 5

False cults are groups founded by single leader which orthodox Christians would consider false prophets such as:

Muhammad or Joseph Smith or Ellen G. White or Mary Baker Eddy or L Ron Hubbard.

Answer 6

i'm specific your chum did no longer say that. the only cults that we expect of there have been are Jim Jones or some element we view issues frequently basically such as you while professional presented to us on television or the going ons in existence we don't pass around talking approximately different religions me individually i seek for to locate what different have self belief in by using fact its good to comprehend that with the artwork we do by using fact we don't wont to offend anybody and say the incorrect element in specific situations u get information from one individual and picture oh that's how the finished finished team of jws experience or say yet that one individual could be new or no longer baptized or have a Agana the only thank you to comprehend the certainty approximately jws isn't FROM THIS internet site yet to pass WWW.WATCHTOWER .ORG or attend certainly one of our conferences or ask any jw close on your place

Answer 7

Many Fundamentalist Protestants call every other form of religion "a cult'. I don't use the word since it is so abused by Fundamentalist protestants who are often considered "cultist" by some other religious groups.

Answer 8

Generally I don't consider religions cults if they don't threaten disbelievers with some sort of punishment, like eternal damnation. Even if that's just a method of recruiting new followers, I consider it cult-like. I can't image that God, if one or multiple ones exist, would be so sadistic. No belief is worse than another, unless it teaches ignorance.

Answer 9

look here http://www.apologeticsindex.org/

they are a comprehensive source of info on cults.
You will find more than you want to know. You can search the site for any name of church or group.
They have lots of info on NewAge and channeling type cults and so many fraudsters.
http://www.freedomofmind.com/
is another great source of reliable information.
It also lists groups by name and has many resources and links to even more information.

Answer 10

Cults have charismatic leaders that people follow as opposed to a belief system. Catholicism isn't generally considered a cult even though it has the Pope; probably because they rotate popes. Mormons, Seventh Day Adventists, and Jehovah's Witnesses are often referred to as cults as opposed to "denominations" of Christianity.