Is it based on size? If so, how big? Based on belief? If so, is yours the only religion and all others are cults?
2007-11-04 00:09:02 · 12 answers · asked by Darculius 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
"A cult is a religion with no political power." - Thomas Wolfe
"The only difference between a cult and a religion is the amount of real estate they own." - Frank Zappa
"Whats a cult? It just means not enough people to make a minority." - Robert Altman
"...one person's cult is another's religion; all religions begin life as cults. An alternative definition is that a cult is a religion which you happen to dislike." - Anthony Campbell
"Cult is a word without much use outside the realm of religious mudslinging." - Philip Kennicott
"When someone uses the word 'cult,' it usually says more about them than the group," - J. Gordon Melton, founder and director of The Institute for the Study of American Religion.
http://www.religioustolerance.org/cultmenu.htm
Ive personally checked out a number of "cults" and a number of religions. People have told me many things they think define a cult. But as far as I can see, any church which is not non-denominational fits. Unless they provide equality to all religions, then they will fit the definitions of a cult if someone wants to paint them in that light.
2007-11-04 05:29:42 · answer #1 · answered by Gandalf Parker 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
You have it backwards. The question should be "when does a religion become a cult"?
All religions start as a religion. They have to do something terrible to become a cult. All of the "cults" people talk about started as a religious group. Then they did something that made people hate them and want to make them something other than just a "religious group".
2007-11-04 05:37:24 · answer #2 · answered by ????? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Mormon and Scientology beliefs are considered a cult in the Christian community. Whereas Quakers, Amish, and Mennonites are not. It has nothing to do with size but with beliefs. And cults have nothing to do with tax exampt status. The government does not make distinctions between a cult and a religion. Worship a cup of coffee if you like file the proper paperwork and you are a religion in America
2007-11-04 00:23:41 · answer #3 · answered by flautumn_redhead 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You need to have at least fifty people to be considered a religion. Although most will view you as a cult still.
2007-11-04 00:12:33 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
In some procedures, i think of the version between a cult and a faith is what attitude you carry. Many Christians think of Wicca is a cult, as an occasion. I quite have additionally prevalent Wiccans that think of Christianity is a cult and that Wicca is a "actual" faith. i think it is common to desire to set an arbitrary form of followers for a "cult" to alter right into a "faith", or use regulation to make certain formal attractiveness of a cult as a "criminal faith", despite if it remains arbitrary and not quite purpose.
2016-10-03 07:43:48 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
With the second member, all religions are cults.
2007-11-04 00:13:21 · answer #6 · answered by Peter D 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A true cult will never become a religion.
2007-11-04 00:39:27 · answer #7 · answered by daljack -a girl 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
its all relative to who's saying what.
every religion could be consiered a cult.
some say if the system is around for so long of a time, or has so many members. it varies from source to source.
check out the articles in the religious-tolerance link in my sources for more information regarding cults. its rather informative.
2007-11-04 00:18:36 · answer #8 · answered by VickiGirl 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It has to do with what it believes, and once it gets big enough. Also if they just go around lynching people no one is going to call it a religion.
2007-11-04 00:13:19 · answer #9 · answered by Jason 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well this is my own opinion, but I would think that once you get tax-exempt status from the government you are a religion.
2007-11-04 00:16:10 · answer #10 · answered by genaddt 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋