What exactly are people's definitions of cults?

Question

It gets soooo old to see people over and over again saying mormons are in a cult. Its cuz they are a cult. Its a cult a cult a cult.
Usually when they say that it is right after they say why our beliefs arent christian and so we are nothing but a cult.

Is a cult to some of you just anyone that doesnt believe in your version of religion? If I as a mormon did everything the same that I was doing now but I believed exactly like you would I magically not be in a cult anymore? Do the people that claim mormons are in a cult know any mormons and see how they actually worship, live and interact within the community? How is it any different than your religion that you dont consider a cult?


When I see cult I see that as a negative connotation. According to def, all religions are cults. But a kid born out of wedlock is technically a bastard but everyone knows it is considered an insult to call someone a bastard just like everyone knows its an insult to claim its a cult.

Wow I have to thank those that have answered so far because you are actually answering the question and there hasnt been a bunch of bashing.....yet. Refreshing!

Kait
so you are basically saying that it is beliefs alone that makes a group a cult? Wouldnt then Jews, Muslims, Buddhist, Atheists, all be considered cult members as well?
If it is just beliefs, then couldnt anyone that didnt believe like you use your own definition to define your religion as a cult with your own logic?

Answer 1

Personally I think the only difference between a cult and a religion is the number of followers and level of acceptance by mainstream society. All religions start out small, as cults, and not all cults are bad.

Answer 2

Counterfeit Christianity is probably the best description I can give for a cult. Counterfeit Christianity is an imitation of real Christianity. Bible terms like "Jesus Christ, Resurrection, Salvation, and Atonement" are used by the Cult, but the various cult groups have assigned entirely different meanings to these terms.
Like counterfeit money which is sometimes difficult to detect, so it is difficult to detect counterfeit Christianity, since it looks like the real thing. Experts examining counterfeit money often hold it up to a strong light and look for identifying marks. Counterfeit Christianity also has identifying marks, which can be seen when, held up to an even stronger light, the light of God's word, the bible.
We are at an advantage if we know what to expect from a cult. Cultists are very well trained to appear "Christian", and indeed believe they are the true churches, and you need the deliverance! Therefore, be bold and ask the question, "do you believe the group you represent is the only true church on the face of the earth?"
If they reply that they are, or if they are evasive, making remarks like "Well, every church has a measure of truth but...", you have made an early detection of a Cultist.
Every true Christian, if asked the same question, regardless of his denomination, would reply that the true church is comprised of believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, and HE (not some organization) is THE WAY, THE TRUTH, AND THE LIFE, (John 14:6). No legitimate denomination would claim that they alone and their members have salvation exclusively, but the cults (the counterfeits) do.

Jews, Buddists, Muslims and Athiests do not claim the name "Christian". A cultist is one who claims the name "Christian", but in actual fact is "not" because they are teaching "another gospel" that has been changed from the Biblical gospel or has had been "added to".
The first concerns many LDS beliefs that separate them from historical, orthodox Christianity. These are not found in the Book of Mormon. In fact, there is really very little in that book that is doctrinally disagreeable to orthodox Christians. The real meat of Mormonism is found in their other scriptures, The Doctrine and Covenants and The Pearl of Great Price.

Answer 3

Counterfeit Christianity is probably the best description I can give for a cult. Counterfeit Christianity is an imitation of real Christianity. Bible terms like "Jesus Christ, Resurrection, Salvation, and Atonement" are used by the Cult, but entirely different meanings have been assigned to these terms by the various cult groups. Like counterfeit money which is sometimes difficult to detect, so it is difficult to detect counterfeit Christianity, since it looks like the real thing. Experts examining counterfeit money often hold it up to a strong light and look for identifying marks. Counterfeit Christianity also has identifying marks which can be seen when held up to an even stronger light, the light of God's word, the bible. We are at an advantage if we know what to expect from a cult. Cultists are very well trained to appear "Christian", and indeed believe they are the true church, and you need the deliverance! Therfore, be bold and ask the question, "Do you believe the group you represent is the only true church on the face of the earth?" If they reply that they are, or if they are evasive, making remarks like "Well, every church has a measure of truth but...", you have made an early detection of a Cultist. Every true Chistian, if asked the same question, regardless of his denomination, would reply that the true church is comprised of believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, and HE (not some organization) is THE WAY, THE TRUTH, AND THE LIFE, (John 14:6). No legitimate denomonation would claim that they alone and their members have salvation exclusively, but the cults (the counterfeits) do.

Answer 4

I hope this helps

Reasoning from the Scriptures
Jehovah's Witnesses

Are Jehovah's Witnesses a cult?
A cult is a religion that is said to be unorthodox or that emphasizes devotion according to prescribed ritual. Many cults follow a living human leader, and often their adherents live in groups apart from the rest of society. The standard for what is orthodox, however, should be God's Word, and Jehovah's Witnesses strictly adhere to the Bible. Their worship is a way of life, not a ritual devotion. They neither follow a human nor isolate themselves from the rest of society. They live and work in the midst of other people.

Answer 5

if you cannot shoot down the message, then shoot the messenger.

i have studied the mormon religion backward and forward. i think i believe that 97% of all things believed in the church is true.
but i also know that what joseph smtih jr taught in the 1800's is not taught today. what lds mormons believed is overturned today even by some General authorities. This proves that truth is not always the truth. Everyone must learn to understand the difference between divine doctrine and personal opinion/beliefs.
but despite that, there will always be a God and a saviour in our heaven. And sin will destroy any society So, jesus calls everyone everywhere to believe and repent.

Answer 6

Some Protestant born again christians claim Mormons are cults because they don't believe the same as traditional protestant churches. Mormons are the restoration not reformed. Its funny some born agains think Catholics, and Eastern Orthodox churches are cults as well, because they don't believe in the "bible only churches".

Answer 7

Technically a cult deals with the worship of a charismatic personality over the spiritual message of an individual. Sort of like Xians are about Jesus.

Answer 8

Yes all religions are cults. Any organization that tells it members what to think what to believe, how to act and what is "right" is a cult.

Answer 9

PEI Bonewits gives the following Cult Evaluation points * Internal control * wisdom claimed by the leaders * wisdom credited to the leaders by followers * dogma (rigidity of reality concepts) * importance of recruiting * front groups (inner circles, subsidiary groups, etc) * emphasis on obtaining money from members or outsiders * political power a goal * sexual manipulation of members * censorship (access to outside opinions) * dropout control (preventing people from leaving) * endorsement of violence * paranoia * grimness * surrender of will to leaders

Answer 10

"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."