What would you do if you found out your faith was a cult?

Question

scientology was founded by a science fiction writer named L. Ron Hubbard. They have 10 Million members.

"Writing science fiction for about a penny a word is no way to make a living, If you really want to make a million, the quickest way is to start your own religion."
~ L. Ron Hubbard

how can they still have 10 million members. and why don't all these organized religions (especially those wacky christians) realize they are part of a big pyramid scheme. i wonder how many christians would still be christians if they saw how much gold lined vatican city....and why doesn't the church sell it worldly posessions to help feed the poor? damn cults. bring on the cult babble christians. try to convince yourself and others you aren't in a cult. how do Hubbard's words affect the belief that you aren't in a cult?

Answer 1

I wholeheartedly agree with you. It is much easier for people to believe in some nonexistent entity in the sky and to join a group supporting that notion (or a cult, as you call it), than to realize that nothing happens when we die, and that there is no heaven and hell. I can understand why it is more comforting to think your soul will live forever (the basis of ALL religions). I think it takes a much stronger person to look past that and to realize that you have nobody but yourself to rely on, and that religion is man-made anyway, and man is imperfect.

Honestly, if I wanted to believe in God, why can't I believe on my own time and property? Why do I have to adhere to man-created rituals (baptism, christening) and go to a man-made church in order to have faith? You are completely right, religion of any kind is a man-made cult, and I am glad that we have both seen past that.

Answer 2

Meaning of 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."
So if I found myself in that I would most definately hope i was not brainwashed so much that I could not get out. Thankfully I follow no man, no pope, and no pastor but I follow the Creator God and His word.

Answer 3

I am a Christian and am in a cult! What's the big deal? If you examine the word closely enough, everybody is cultist in one way or another.

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.
–adjective
9. of or pertaining to a cult.
10. of, for, or attracting a small group of devotees: a cult movie.


So I really think the word is used too much.

Answer 4

Someones a little testy this morning.

Take a chill.

Good points indeed.

but define cult versus a religion. Not a particular, just the ideas.

Answer 5

The sad truth is that cults work, and people will continue to fall for them no matter what you tell them. People want to believe in things that are not real. They will pay other people to tell them that fiction is reality.

Answer 6

"A cult is a religion with no political power." - Tom Wolfe

All religions are cults.

Answer 7

definition of cult-someone elses religion---smile and enjoy the day

Answer 8

it's a cult if it's not your religion

Answer 9

Ask what was in the wine.