uptight xians who like to use it as a negative word, abuse it, and call mormons cults, etc, because it makes them feel superior. but in fact, xianity is a cult.
look at the definition:
Source(s):
from Merriam Webster:
cult
Pronunciation: 'k<
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 devotes.
2007-09-01 03:46:06 · 30 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
ask a Christian to explain what a bigot is
they can't
they don't see that their own bigotry is so profound they can't describe it or tell you what it is, to them it's part of life and non explainable
2007-09-01 03:53:11 · answer #1 · answered by voice_of_reason 6 · 3⤊ 2⤋
As with many cults. When you are in it you feel enlightened. You feel as though you have the answer everyone else is seeking. You are blinded by the constant reinforcement of the message of the cult. The more intelligent the members the more convincing they are and the more convinced you are. I have been in this cult. I thought that I was right and doing good. Until I woke up and got out. Now I am truly saved. I will live knowing that there is no after so enjoy now!
2007-09-01 04:16:48 · answer #2 · answered by The true face of religion 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Argue all you want. God is the Creator and Jesus, God the Son, is the Savior. I devote myself to Him, not a person, idea, object, movement or work.
"...devotion regarded as a literary or intellectual fad." Some fad. Peoples hearts are changed every day by the simple fact that the great Creator of the Universe extends His love toward them. Millions, perhaps billions over many millenia have come to know God and His love for them. This very concept goes way beyond literature or intellect. Fads come and go.
Mormons, Jehovah's Witness, Christian Scientist, Davidian (now gone), those Jonestown people - all cults by this definition.
The one thing to keep in mind is that Noah Webster was a Christian. He surely must have seen the difference between a personal relationship with God versus following the spurious, unorthodox teachings of those who teach outside the framework of Scripture.
2007-09-01 04:03:30 · answer #3 · answered by TroothBTold 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Cult is a word that is often misused. People, even as we've seen here, take the negative connotation of the word and apply it in ways that make it denote something else. If you use the literal definition, all religions, and even atheism and Gnosticism, are cults. So maybe we should find a better word to use.
2007-09-01 03:56:36 · answer #4 · answered by 55Spud 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Christianity is not a cult, it is a religion. There are Christian cults, just like cults of every kind. First you have to understand the difference between a religion and a cult, if you are planning out a future of anti-social behavior.
Bashing out at what other people might hold sacred only demonstrates ignorance and immaturity. Baited questions like this are only desperate cries for help. The world does care about you, but you will continue to lack fulfillment until you learn to control your anti-social outbursts. You will not get respect in the world until you practice respect.
2007-09-01 04:15:28 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋
Of course, a cult is also an enclosed organization that does'nt allow non-members to come in and go as they please. Those that join, are forced to stay. Also, cults don't share with the public what they teach.
Cults also give devotion to a living person...that is a person currently living on Earth, who thinks they are the "chosen one."
Christianity goes forth and shares their knowledge. Anyone can join, or just participate in the church rituals without joining. Christianity gives devotion to the Almighty God (Yahweh, or Jehovah) through his son Jesus Christ, not some mere mortal on Earth.
Seems to me that you are a bit misguided on your knowledge of what a true cult is, compared to mainstream religion.
2007-09-01 03:55:54 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
Killer cults tend to be led by charismatic megalomaniacs who pit themselves and their churches against the rest of the world. They are usually apocalyptic visionaries drunk with lust and power that have physical and sexual control over their followers. In most cases their beliefs stem from twisted interpretations of established doctrines. These self-proclaimed divinities usually amass a large arsenal of weapons before bringing forth their personal day of reckoning associated with them. Check the morgue for the latest doomsday prophecyand prophets.In the Mormon "bible" it talks of an angel Moroni.Where is that in the bible?The Devil was born as a spirit after Jesus "in the morning of pre-existence," (Mormon Doctrine, page 192.) ?The true gospel was lost from the earth. Mormonism is its restoration,(Articles of Faith, by James Talmage, p. 182-185.) These are but afew of what they believe.Jehovah witness is another cult. Jehovah Witness doctrine requires that we be "associated with God's channel, his organization" in order to be true followers of God. This means that there is no salvation apart from the WBTS. Is Christianity,(note the correct spelling), a cult? Some think so. Because you are not a true Christian unless You accept Jesus the Christ as your Lord and Saviour.Romans 10:9-10.John 14:6,and others.This exclusivity makes us unique.Where is Charles Taze Russell,
JIm Warren Jones, Mohammed? DEAD DEAD and DEAD. and others are also Dead. But Yeshua HaMaschiach is alive and G-D is on the throne. Praise G-D
2007-09-01 04:47:38 · answer #7 · answered by Siegfried M 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Well, yeah, in the dictionary definition of the word, most religions are a cult. But, the Christians who I refer to as crazy Christians (evangelists, the anti-Harry Potter peeps, those who call themselves 'born-again') think of themselves as like God's gift to religion, like they are the best religion in the world. And I suppose have 2.1 billion Christians in the world sort of helps. I suppose deep down that most Christians KNOW it, but if you were to say it to them they'd get really upset or call you a blasphemer. I wouldn't. I'm a former Catholic, who's just... a non-denominational agnostic Christian. And I agree. It's not really fair that they call Mormons a cult. Mormons are Christians, it's just they think differently.
2007-09-01 03:55:54 · answer #8 · answered by Ashley W 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The only difference between a religion and a cult is the size of the membership
2007-09-01 03:54:48 · answer #9 · answered by darwinsfriend AM 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Because the word "cult" has been dirtied with it's association with radical beliefs. Either way, all religions are cults by definition.
2007-09-01 04:40:45 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Religion, sect, cult, what's the importance? Let us concentrate in continuing CULTivating by spreading the Seed of the Truth all over world before the end comes.
2007-09-01 04:00:43 · answer #11 · answered by Aeon Enigma 4 · 1⤊ 2⤋