What are the qualifications to be a religion?? What is the difference between a religious group and a cult??

Answer 1

All religions are a cult.

Answer 2

The commonly used definition is that a cult is "a religion or sect considered to be false, unorthodox, or extremist, with members often living outside of conventional society under the direction of a charismatic leader or the members of such a religion or sect"

Technically, this is only a partial definition, but as a working definition it is generally the one most agreed on.

Religions may be small, but by THIS definition, even small religions may not be cults but larger sects may be. Some people will call Scientology a cult and others a religion for example.....

Answer 3

Lots of religions have *some* cult-like behaviors. Cults tend to restrict the converts contact with outsiders; promote the infallibility of the leader(s); and a host of other things that can be found here: (a very good examination tool for religions and cults)

http://www.ra-info.org/library/programming/Bonewits.shtml

Answer 4

As I understand it, a religion is a belief system supported by doctine. A cult is a group that claims to be part of a religion, but refuses to accept some of the key doctrines of that religion.

For example, Christianity is a religion. One of the key doctrines is that Jesus was God Incarnate. Therefore, if a group called itself "Christian" yet did not hold to this key doctrinal point, they would be a cult.

Answer 5

All religions are by definition a cult. It's just that the more socially accepted religious cults are no longer referred to as cults.

Answer 6

They both involve brainwashing. Cults brainwash young adults who are impressionable. They send out young indoctrinators who find lonely young people and invite them to meet their friends. The friends fawn over the person and then they ask them to spend a weekend where they are never left alone, never allowed to sleep. Pretty soon they will believe anything, they are so controlled.

A religion does the same thing every week for years and years. They threaten hell and heaven, sins and guilt. They are usually supported by parents who are fearful of their own abilities to parent so they want their kids to buy in to the teachings.

But it's all brain and emotional washing. Read Richard Dawkins on the web. He's a brilliant man.

Answer 7

Size of the population of followers within the general population as a whole. Here in the U.S., christianity is the mainstream religion, but in 1390 there was no christianity in North America. Anyone coming here with it would have been part of a cult.

Answer 8

re·li·gion –noun
1. a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, esp. when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies, usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs.
2. a specific fundamental set of beliefs and practices generally agreed upon by a number of persons or sects: the Christian religion; the Buddhist religion.
3. the body of persons adhering to a particular set of beliefs and practices: a world council of religions.
4. the life or state of a monk, nun, etc.: to enter religion.
5. the practice of religious beliefs; ritual observance of faith.
6. something one believes in and follows devotedly; a point or matter of ethics or conscience: to make a religion of fighting prejudice.

cult –noun
1. a particular system of religious worship, esp. with reference to its rites and ceremonies.
2. an instance of great veneration of a person, ideal, or thing, esp. as manifested by a body of admirers: the physical fitness cult.
3. the object of such devotion.
4. a group or sect bound together by veneration of the same thing, person, ideal, etc.
5. Sociology. a group having a sacred ideology and a set of rites centering around their sacred symbols.
6. a religion or sect considered to be false, unorthodox, or extremist, with members often living outside of conventional society under the direction of a charismatic leader.
7. the members of such a religion or sect.
8. any system for treating human sickness that originated by a person usually claiming to have sole insight into the nature of disease, and that employs methods regarded as unorthodox or unscientific.

Answer 9

A cult has a leader or leaders that control pretty much every aspect of their lives..They tell them what the Bible says and what it means.. They make them feel that if they leave them..they are turning their back on God. They encourage you and tell you not to speak with ones that have left their religion..they do not allow you to read other religious material..
True Christian religion does not discourage you from looking into what other religions believe and why..they are not afraid of being exposed.

Answer 10

Number of members.

The only difference between a cult and a religion is the amount of real estate they own.

Answer 11

Here's a stab in the dark:

A religious group has a tax-exempt status, lots of members, and a political clout.

A cult has none of the above and usually gathers in someone's basement.

LOL.

Peace be with you.