I've always answered this with this...
The amount of land that it owns, is the only difference.
how would you answer this question?
2007-09-14 02:43:33 · 24 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Religion = "Us"
Cult = "Them"
This applies no matter which group it refers to
2007-09-14 02:50:54 · answer #1 · answered by Murazor 6 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Religion encompasses a belief system, not having to do with a community because religion can be practiced alone.
A cult has few factors that define it as a cult;
*Charismatic leaders who often makes demands on his/her followers that often include inclusion from family, friends or 'non-followers', monetary donations to the cause, etc.
*A cult often requires you to denounce your past life to a new one, cutting off old relationships because they are 'evil'.
I have issues with ANY religion that tells you they have a monopoly on truth, and that they know the proper way to the Divine.
Religion is something you can practice on your own, without a leader, and follow a few tenants of faith on your own.
2007-09-14 10:10:38 · answer #2 · answered by Frootbat31 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I think a religion allows you freedom of choice - you can choose to go to church, or stay home. You can choose to believe, or drop out at any time. They don't do a lot of crazy sh*t that takes up a lot of your time.
Cults on the other hand are more stringent and demanding - it's bad to leave, it's bad not to come or believe as they do. They suck you in by gradually increasing the number of church-related activites you're required to attend, until all of your time is spent with the same group of wacky people. It's dangerous, because as obvious as it seems to people on the outside that it's backwards, when you're involved you quickly become convinced that it's normal and everyone else is backwards. It's amazing how persuasive they can be.
2007-09-14 09:54:48 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Cults can't deal with large numbers of people. You can't have a 1 billion member cult. It just doesn't work. You have to keep the numbers small.
2007-09-14 10:18:26 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
A religion has the balls to stand up and say it. A cult kind of stays in the back and pulls people in That's about it....
2007-09-14 09:49:25 · answer #5 · answered by Crystal 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Cults are typically described as worshiping nature and self. Religions are focused on a God that is separate from self and nature.
2007-09-14 09:48:01 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Once a cult becomes large enough to complain loudly when anyone refers to them as a cult, they become a religion.
100 people who believe some damfool notion - cult
1,000,000 people who believe some damfool notion - religon
CD
2007-09-14 09:48:49 · answer #7 · answered by Super Atheist 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
A cult is run by MAN that is the difference
2007-09-14 09:49:00 · answer #8 · answered by Michelle 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
religion is which alot of people believe in and is accepted by a general society, cult is something not accepted and only a group of poeple follow
2007-09-14 09:50:07 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
A cult is a branch of a unique religion. Christianity is a branch.
2007-09-14 09:50:37 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
not much when it comes to Christianity in America. Some Christians in this country take it too far. Yet, there's other religions who practice their religion and don't go nuts with it.
2007-09-14 09:49:30 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋