Who are these "experts" and what are these books that are such authorities that say that such and such a group (i.e. Mormons and JW's) are "cults"?
What is a "cult" exactly? Give me a list of requirements.
2007-09-27 17:38:23 · 19 answers · asked by mormon_4_jesus 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Mormons object to the application of "cult" to Mormonism, but it fits many of the basic elements. There are two ways to look at the word cult, in the social/psychology sense or in the Christian/religious sense.
A social scientist would list marks of a cult as:
The Doctrine is Reality
There is no room in a mind control environment for regarding the group's beliefs as mere theory, or as a way to interpret reality or to seek reality. The doctrine IS reality. ...cult doctrine always requires that a person distrust his own self. The doctrine becomes the 'master program' for all thoughts, feelings, and actions....
Reality is Black and White, Good Versus Evil
Even the most complex cult doctrines ultimately reduce reality into two basic poles black versus white' good versus evil;...us verses them.... The 'huge conspiracies' working to thwart the group are, of course, proof of its tremendous importance....
Elitist Mentality
Members are made to feel part of an elite corps of mankind. This feeling of being special, of participating in the most important acts in human history with a vanguard of committed believers, is strong emotional glue to keep people sacrificing and working hard. ...As a community, they feel they have been chosen (by God, history, or some other supernatural force) to lead mankind out of darkness into a new age of enlightenment...
Group Will over Individual Will
In all destructive cults the self must submit to the group. The 'whole purpose' must be the focus; the 'self purpose' must be subordinated....Absolute obedience to superiors is one of the most universal themes in cults. Individuality is bad. Conformity is good. ...
Strict Obedience Modeling the Leader
A new member is often induced to abandon his former behavior patterns and become 'dedicated' by being paired with an older cult member who serves as a model for him to imitate. ...One reason why a group of cultists may strike even a naive outsider as spooky or weird is that everyone has similar odd mannerisms, clothing styles, and modes of speech. ...
Happiness through Good Performance
...The cult member learns that love is not unconditional but depends on good performance....Competitions are used to inspire and shame members into being more productive....Relationships are usually superficial within these groups because sharing deep personal feelings, especially negative ones, is highly discouraged....
Manipulation through Fear and Guilt
The cult member comes to live within a narrow corridor of fear, guilt, and shame. Problems are always the fault of the member and are due to HIS weak faith, HIS lack of understanding, ... He perpetually feels guilty for not meeting standards....
No Way Out
In a destructive cult, there is never a legitimate reason for leaving. Unlike non-cult organizations that recognize a person's inherent right to choose to move on, mind control groups make it very clear that there is no legitimate way to leave. Members are told that the only reasons why people leave are weakness, insanity, temptation, brainwashing (by deprogrammers), pride, sin, and so on. ... Although cult members will often say 'Show me a way that is better than mine and I will quit,' they are not allowed the time or mental tools to prove that statement to themselves. They are locked in a psychological prison." (from the book Combatting Cult Mind Control, by Steven Hassan, Park Street Press, pp. 78-84)
Many people coming out of the LDS Church report just such things in their experience as a Mormon, especially the returned LDS missionary.
Briefly, a Christian perspective on marks of a cult would be:
They add to the Bible.
They may have additional books of scripture or their leaders are the only spokesmen for God. These are considered more reliable than the Bible.
They subtract from the person and work of Jesus.
Mormons claim to be the same species as Jesus, with the same potential. He is literally their older brother, all born in a pre-mortal life to Heavenly Father and Heavenly Mother. Jesus is "a" god, but not "the" God of the Bible. They subtract from the atonement by adding temple work as a necessity for eternal life.
They multiply the requirements for salvation.
Jesus' atonement on the cross is not enough, a person must add all sorts of works for the organization to merit eternal life, such as temple marriage.
They divide between themselves and Christianity.
Mormons say they are "the only true church" and the only ones who represent God on earth. They thus divide themselves from the Christian community. They do not recognize any Christian baptism as valid, only those performed by the LDS priesthood. Now read the Bible!
2007-09-27 17:42:54 · answer #1 · answered by 2telldatruth 4 · 4⤊ 8⤋
By traditionally definition a cult was a group of people that worshiped a particular god(dess). The only thing that made a cult was the NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS. Everyone gets that part wrong.
That means in the beginning of Christianity, it was refered to as the cult of Jesus. No joke, that's what the Romans would have called it.
Once a cult gathers enough followers (don't ask the exact number because I don't know it off the top of my head) it would cease to be a cult and would become a bonified religion.
In the Old World, there were tons and tons of cults, though, as I said, the term did not carry the negative connotation it does today.
When ever someone uses the word "cult" to define a religion today, they are actually misusing the word.
2007-09-27 18:11:35 · answer #2 · answered by ? 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Damn yo can we request a please?
Cult: 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.
Here's a checklist for you:
* When asked, can the group provide an accurate and detailed history of the founders and origin of the organization?
* The group displays excessively zealous and unquestioning commitment to its leader and (whether he is alive or dead) regards his belief system, ideology, and practices as the Truth, as law.
* Mind-altering practices (such as meditation, chanting, speaking in tongues, denunciation sessions, and debilitating work routines) are used in excess and serve to suppress doubts about the group and its leader(s).
* the group is elitist, claiming a special, exalted status for itself, its leader(s) and members (for example, the leader is considered the Messiah, a special being, an avatar—or the group and/or the leader is on a special mission to save humanity).
* The group has a polarized us-versus-them mentality, which may cause conflict with the wider society.
* The group is preoccupied with bringing in new members.
The group is preoccupied with making money.
and last but not least
* The most loyal members (the “true believers”) feel there can be no life outside the context of the group. They believe there is no other way to be, and often fear reprisals to themselves or others if they leave (or even consider leaving) the group.
2007-09-27 18:01:18 · answer #3 · answered by Sheriff of R&S 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think that a piece that everyone is leaving out is that in Cults you are required to rid yourself of anything not of the cult and you are required to break off all associations with non cult members, including family members. You whole world and all your friends revolve around this group. They don't allow association with people not of the group for fear that you will see a different path.
I have seen that several times when people are referring to cults.
If that is true- then that disqualifies LDS as a cult. JW's probably too- though I am not super familiar with their teachings. LDS are encouraged to be part of the community and to be friends with those who are not of their faith. There are those who form friendships with non members only to convert, but if you study what Church Leadership has said lately, then you will find that we are to be friends to all regardless of their faith or beliefs system (with the exepction that their behavior will have a negative effect on us- ie illeagal activities, drug use, abuse etc..)
2007-09-28 04:24:52 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I know people quoted internet definitions of cult. My feeling is they are missing some of the connotations. Cults usually revolve around a single person who is somehow above normal human beings and immune from normal rules of morality, they are usually insular groups who do not interact with the larger society in any meaningful way, and they all seem to teach that something big will happen soon. Cult is not synonymous with "small religion." In my mind, neither Mormons nor Jehovah's Witnesses are cults.
2007-09-27 17:51:46 · answer #5 · answered by Matt W 2 · 5⤊ 0⤋
I actually asked a guy this once.... He was accusing my religion of being a cult..... I don't remember exactly what he said, but I remember that in response, I said that from the definition he gave, we should all be cult-followers of Jesus Christ. Being a Christian himself, he agreed.
lol... Heather- From your definition, all religions are currently cults, not just in the past- Now!...
Different Christ?... So we describe him differently. When I was 3, my description of my dad radically differed from that of his coworkers. Does that mean I was talking about a different man? Read the New Testament, and open your mind to the possibility that what you've "known" all your life may be wrong... I'm not asking you to change what you believe, just asking you to try to see our point of view, see how we could come to the conclusions we have.
In the meantime, I'd quit worrying what others call us. Just because someone says it- that doesn't make it true. Someone could call me a man all day... that doesn't change the fact that I've got breasts, a vagina, and no penis!
2007-09-27 19:33:44 · answer #6 · answered by Yoda's Duck 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Honestly, I wonder that allot to. I remember one person who was quoted allot on here at one point used to be used as a reliable source on here explained how pretty much anyone who disagreed with him were cultists. Appearantly having a website makes you an expert.
As for the list of requirements, well on here, the requirements seem to be, if you disagree with me, or what I am told you believe disagrees with me, or what I am told to believe, You are in a cult.
And for the sake of argument I will specify
Cult is a grouping
Cultists are the members of said cult
Occult refers to mystical things, more or less.
Hope this helps.
2007-09-28 16:14:26 · answer #7 · answered by Ish Var Lan Salinger 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A "cult" is a group. Culturally, it has come to be known as a group that has unorthodox beliefs that may even be dangerous to its members (Heaven's Gate, David Koresh, etc.)
The experts you speak of are people who have greatly researched the topic.
2007-09-27 17:54:21 · answer #8 · answered by Keep On Trucking 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Well for what it's worth. They perceive a cult to be any beleif,not like theirs. So here is a word of wisdom, EVERY religion, denomination,church, and teacher's DOCTRINE,,,must square up with the WORD OF GOD, or? beware,,error!
2007-09-27 17:47:50 · answer #9 · answered by hamoh10 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Cult roughly refers to a cohesive social group devoted to beliefs or practices that the surrounding culture considers outside the mainstream, with a notably positive or negative popular perception. In common or populist usage, "cult" has a positive connotation for groups of art, music, writing, fiction, and fashion devotees,[1] but a negative connotation for new religious, extreme political, questionable therapeutic, and pyramidal business groups. For this reason, most, if not all, non-fan groups that are called cults reject this label.
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No matter what ANYONE says...every mainstream religion of today started out as a "CULT".
2007-09-27 17:40:51 · answer #10 · answered by iColorz 4 · 9⤊ 1⤋
A cult is brain washing. When I was member of the LDs church. I didn't like it were parents would whisper in the their kids ear what to say in testimony meeting. My counselor says thats brain washing.
2007-09-27 17:59:47 · answer #11 · answered by Tinkerbelle2007 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋