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.
2007-09-03 04:02:13 · 31 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Now if believing in a god that needs blood to wash sins and burns people forever wasn't enough, you have the above!
2007-09-03 04:03:11 · update #1
The definitions given show there are two positive connotations to the word (definitions 1& 2); and three negative connotations.
That you assume the negative connotation simply shows your bias.
But in truth, Biblical Christianity is aberrant from all the other belief systems in the world. The reason is these all arise from men. Christianity is from God.
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God."
II Corinthians 5:17-21
2007-09-03 04:12:03 · answer #1 · answered by wefmeister 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
It is obvious that you do not know what the Bible says. Any type of a formal group can be called a cult. Try to look up Christianity. Being a Christian is something different from a religion. A Christian is a person that believes in God, and has accepted that Jesus Christ died on the cross for our sins. Christianity is based on the Bible. The Bible is our book of life.
As far as blood shed and burning people. If you knew the Bible you would realize that such examples were sacrifices made in the Old Testament of the Bible. However, when Jesus died on the cross for our sins, something he did because he loved us, there were no more sacrifices. That is because Jesus was the ultimate sacrifice.
As far as feeling superior, it is unfortunate that you have probably dealt with some individuals that gave you that impression; however, Christians in general are people just like you, we have just chosen to believe in our hearts and souls that Jesus Christ died for our sins. It is a way of life. Christians are also sinners, like everyone else. It is impossible to try and explain everything in such a short amount of time. However, history has proved that events in the Bible did indeed happen. If you have any other questions I would be more than happy to answer your questions. Lynne_Piascik@sbcglobal.net
Have a blessed day.
2007-09-03 12:44:02 · answer #2 · answered by Lynne P 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
This is a repeat.
Your thinking is wrong. Noah Webster was a Christian, by the way.
Do you see the word "ritual" in there? I do not follow ritual as this is an attempt to reach God. God reaches out to me.
How about "adherents". I adhere to nothing - I do what I do because I love the Lord.
I am not unorthodox or spurious.
#5 is unnecessary - that is more about pop culture than about personal belief.
I'll give you a definition of insanity - Doing the same thing over and over, expecting a different result each time. What are you doing with this question - again?
2007-09-03 11:13:23 · answer #3 · answered by TroothBTold 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
well I don't see what poeple are getting worked up about who says a cult is Always a bad thing, ofcourse you have the bad cults with sacrifices etc. Christianity isn't bad or evil ( atleast it doesn't intend to be ) but by the definition it is a cult. Any religon is in a sense a cult. You could try to sugar it up with christianity being good but where in the definition does it even mention cults being evil? Jamie I don't think it is very jesus-like to call someone satan just becuase he doesn't believe in your religon. Attitudes like yours are why we have so much violence and war in the world today.
2007-09-03 11:29:38 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
There are many different kinds of cults and Christianity is one of them.
A Cult is "the religious homage due to God as creator, redeemer and sanctifier. Christian cults stresses praise and thanksgiving more than petition."
Like anything else in life, something can be used for good or Our God did not demand the blood of Jesus for our salvation.
Jesus' birth and life saved us. Even if Jesus had not died on the cross, the fact that God, (Jesus) was born and lived among us and taught us by His life how we are to life, we would still have been saved.
2007-09-03 11:15:22 · answer #5 · answered by Mary W 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
While I don't agree with you, the answer to your question is that true cults don't call themselves cults. It's that simple.
If you have the clarity to see that it's a cult, you're not a true believer in the cult because you're able to question it and look at it from the view of an outsider.
If you look at any cult, not one of them called themselves such. They called them many things, and yes, some of them were like religions.
2007-09-03 11:12:01 · answer #6 · answered by al_lawrence3 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Take storong hold of your belive because that is all you have left. The true reson of your existance is lost and wasted for being so imature, let people live how They want , for on this site most everyone is to stuborn to change, and how would it make you feel if I said Aethiests dont understand that they are giving up on there lifes. But whatever, may He speak it to your soul and may you listen. It may not make a diffrence to you but I am praying for an awaking for you. Bye
2007-09-03 14:32:16 · answer #7 · answered by J J 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
All religions are CULTS. They are called religions once they gain followers as Christians and Muslims do.
Religion sounds better.
Cults are associated to crazy fanatic groups that do ritual stuff which makes anything its associated with sound disqusting and unacceptable.
And that's why Christians do not call their religion cults. Neither does Muslim people.
2007-09-03 11:14:01 · answer #8 · answered by Panji P 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Consult the Rick Ross Institute to educate yourself on what a cult is.
There is something called an "operational definition." They are more useful than general definitions.
2007-09-03 11:10:20 · answer #9 · answered by Joseph G 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
***True Christians aren't superior as we are imperfect; we aren't immune from being mocked, criticized, persecuted, ridiculed and hated for following Christ and believing in God.
*******************Definitions of Cult and Christianity************
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.
2007-09-03 11:29:31 · answer #10 · answered by Admeta 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋