How do we tell a "CULT" from a genuine God-fearing "RELIGION" ?

Question

Sorry if it sounds a bit funny - I couldn't think of the best way to express it.
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Most people seem to think CULTS are BAD..... so why do so many people get "Sucked in" ?
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Answer 1

One can argue that religion can be similar, however, there are certain red flags to look for.

1. A powerful leader who exults themselves to the level of God. His or her views are the only views that can be tolerated, other views are ostracized.

2. A tendency to lead followers to give up individual thought to follow all the doctrines of this religion.

3. A tendency to interpret extreme views of an apocalypse. Members should be rewarded tor extreme behavior such as suicidal martyrdom.

Remember the first commandment: "Thou shalt have no other gods before me...".

Answer 2

Wow. Excuse me, but that sounds like a very bias definition. I always assume that what people say makes sense and I have to make sense of it. We have to use the definition of a word the way the speaker meant it. By my count, words average six or seven definitions with one or two a negative one. Getting definitions straight is enrightenment. Perhaps better than enlightenment. How would you create a universe that's illogical? It's all built premise on premise. You get rid of it all and all the people, or you stick to your story. If it's all in God's mind anyway, we would say it's all not real anyway. Just an idea, a nightmare from which we will all awaken. Science is having to accept that point. Physicists are calling themselves philosophers. Things are in a terrible turmoil. That means a wonderful turmoil. How would you define fear in terms of a loving creator? When my intuition asks me, should you do that, it's with a very kindly loving tone of voice, but I've learned the hard way to listen to it. In other words, don't do it on your life, hyperbolically speaking, of course or maybe not. It may be hard to learn one language well. Wittgenstein doesn't help some people for some reason? I marvel at that too. We learn all our words from context. Quite a feat, when we come into the word only hearing grunts and groans all around us. Then the dictionary gives us synonyms around the word, so it's defined by context again, and again in example sentences and how can we look us millions of word definitions. A general comment on the subject: The Bible is also history, and sometimes examples of what people are not supposed to do or writers put things from a negative perspective, to which negative people can relate. I see too several books in one. Every time I read it, I see what I bring to the table. I put the words into my context, not necessarily into an infinite perspective. Who would accuse me of having an infinite perspective? ha I would think that, if you are on top of a tall building, you'd best respect gravity or anyone who told you about it or believe that He wont be suspending it for you today. I guess fear might be a saving grace in that case. Only a psychopath may have no fear. I don't think it's too healthy not to have any. It's your early warning system. False fears are foes. Behind every emotion, however, are thoughts. If you change the thoughts to healthy, accurate ones, then your emotions, gut reactions, inspirations, revelations, visions and intuitions can be an excellent guide. I would go so far as to say that without intuition, I would doubt your ability to reason properly. Einstein went further and said that, "The only real valuable thing is intuition." But then he was smarter than I am.

Answer 3

Aren't all man made religions some sort of cult following? Once one group of people start judging another they are becoming separated from the rest of the race.

Answer 4

There is absolutely no statute of size limitations to separate a religion from a cult. Nearly ALL organized religions are cults, it's just not pretty to label them as such.

Answer 5

Count the members. If the membership is over, say two, you could be dealing with a cult.

Answer 6

A CULT is a small, recently born religion. It's not necesarely something bad, people just see it as "less reliable", plus if you are christian you are taught to ignore any other existent religion anyway, and if possible to find arguments against it. "It's a cult !!!! Bad things happen there, I know it, because it.s a cult!!"

Answer 7

cult is a Religion or religions that Lead by Extremist....they live in their own society and follow made rules by their Leader..some don't even believe in the Laws of their State

Answer 8

I think that evey major organized religion began as a cult...and i guess it depends on what version of God you are looking to fear.

i hope you find what it is you seek...

)o( trinity

Answer 9

Here's how to identify which is which....

John 7:17
If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.

Answer 10

They usually have people who proclaim that they are a prophet or prophet class, produce their own bible and strike fear into their followers.