With the contemporary use of the word cult, is any non-trinitarian church considered a cult?

Question

Seems that way from my point of view.

So you are a trinitarian like the Catholics and Protestants, then you are considered a "normal" church.

If you are not a trinitarian then the above mentioned labels it a 'cult.'

Does this sound right?

Keep in mind the use of the term cult as it is used by religious folks. Not the proper term which is not used properly in this context.

OK some of you are missing the main idea of the question.

Non-trinity churches such as LDS and JW are considered cults compared to mainstream churches that are trinitarian.

Again, contemporary usage, ableit wrong, use of the term cult applies to them.

Answer 1

That is precisely the case. The word has been used..or more precisely MIS-used for a considerable amoutn of time. Those that follow the trinitarian religions seem to feel free to use the word to describe any and all religions that are not part of their belief system. This is propoganda to equate them with groups like those that followed Jim Jones down in Guyana, the Branch Davidians in Waco and the Moonies (followers of the Reverend Moon prominent in the 70's and early 80's.)

In the original, more archaic and proper usage of the word a Cult was simply a groupd of follwers of any religion, usually deidcated to a particulay deity within that religion (among the Hellenistic [ancient Greek] religious belief there were cults dedicated to each of the various deities). In its true usage the term is a simple descriptive term. It has, in more recent times, become a term of derision and insult and even criminalized in some areas labeling any religion they don't understand as an illegal cult usually because the group is small, non-mainstream and has different beliefs from those speaking of it and labeling it as such.

Yet another example of a term being co-opted and misused to suit some prejudicial agenda.

Answer 2

I think the word "cult" is way overused. Trinitarian or not, I think what we need to look at is what an organization believes to be the source of salvation, and not trivia.

How much do any of us really know about God, anyway? Who then are we to criticize someone who knows a little bit less? Then, suppose that they happen to be right, and we wrong. In such a case and in the light of Mat 7:1-2, I would not want to be found to have precluded them from salvation.

Personally, I feel that I John 4:8 is much more important than John 1:14. What is the application? If we are not walking in love, we do not know him. Is it more important to know his will or his anatomy? Some will say that they don't worship right, but most Trinitarians are so confused about the Trinity that they don't worship right anyway. It is my understanding that the Trinity is One God in the form of three persons, and those persons are The Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost. Jesus is the Son, but how many people call him Father?

I think that what we really need to be concerned about is relationship. To get hung up on the Trinity is a distraction from the real issue, and I think it is one of the devil's biggest tools.

Edit: ticd: Do you live in Wacco?

Answer 3

A cult is any religion that tries to correct Biblical Christianity. Any religion that tries to correct Jesus and what God has revealed to us through His Word is a cult. The Catholic church is a cult. It doesn't matter if they claim they believe in the Trinity.

Answer 4

Cult typically means any "church" that preaches money brings salvation, mass suicides are a portal to God or that any person alive in the present times is a personification of any diety whatsoever.

It has nothing to do with the Trinity.

Answer 5

generally a "classic" cult has the following....

1. Has someone whom claims they are "The Christ"
2. bizarre sexual practices
3. bizarre marriage practices
4. take COMPLETE control of thier members assets
5. have their own "version" of the bible
6. can be heavily armed
7. worships something other then Christ
8. sometimes have superstitious beliefs
9. all live in one location, commune or bunker
10. Has someone claiming to be some kind of super Being
11. Have bizarre relgious ceremonies: I.E
drinking real blood
cutting
real whipping

Answer 6

Yes, it is true. Biblically a non-Trinitarian teaching would be a cult. There are plenty of things that can signify a cult, the biggest being having a false gospel (Galatians 1).

Answer 7

this is a very interesting question... cults form and fall all the time. but look what happens when a cult gets alot of support. you get christianity. and thats because the people back then were ignorant enough to believe all that crap! if some guy walking the streets today told everyone he was the son of god we would throw him in the loony bin.

Answer 8

no...ALL churches are cults

the word cult simply means a set of religious beliefts. Thus, all religions are cults

Answer 9

of course not , but not because many people things they are right , they are right , not according to Jesus in Matthew 7:21-23.

Answer 10

a religion is a cult with an army - all religions are cults