I am not asking this question with any personal opinion on these religions . I do not know enough about them . I would like to know why many people say these religions are cults, wouldent all religions be somewhat cultish ? What is the factors that make these religions different than other Christian religions ? What exactly is the definition of Cult and why do some movies become Cult Classics and what exactly does that mean?
2007-11-09 05:45:49 · 10 answers · asked by Rock Star Outlaw 2 in Entertainment & Music ➔ Polls & Surveys
No.
Jehovah's Witnesses are Christians.
Trinitarians try to use the term "cult" like a sledgehammer to obliterate any thinking analysis of what the supposed "cultist" actually believes. Trinitarians embrace a bizarre, non-etymological, quite arbitrary definition of the term "cult" which includes anyone who does not believe that Jesus is God Himself, rather than the Son of God. Interestingly, pagans in the first century slandered Christ's followers with the insulting term "Atheist" (!) because the Christians had a somewhat different idea from the pagans about the nature of God.
Jehovah's Witnesses teach that no salvation occurs without Christ, that accepting Christ's sacrifice is a requirement for true worship, that every prayer must acknowledge Christ, that Christ is the King of God's Kingdom, that Christ is the head of the Christian congregation, that Christ is immortal and above every creature, even that Christ was the 'master worker' in creating the universe! Secular authorities in academia and government routinely acknowledge that Jehovah's Witnesses are a Christian religion. With more than 16 million associating with Jehovah's Witnesses, the term "cult" seems very out of place in a fair discussion of Jehovah's Witnesses. Jehovah's Witnesses are Christians.
Sadly, Trinitarians seem more interested in perpetuating their human traditions, Greek philosophy, and Babylonish fetishes rather than reasonably examining the Scriptural definition of "Christian". In fact, the bible most closely associates being "Christian" with preaching about Christ and Christ's teachings. Review all the times the bible uses the term "Christian" and note that the context connects the term with:
"declaring the good news"
'teaching quite a crowd'
'open eyes, turn from dark to light'
"uttering sayings of truth"
"persuade"
"keep on glorifying"
(Acts 11:20-26) [The early disciples of Jesus] began talking to the Greek-speaking people, declaring the good news of the Lord Jesus... and taught quite a crowd, and it was first in Antioch that the disciples were by divine providence called Christians.
(Acts 26:17-28) [Jesus said to Paul] I am sending you, to open their eyes, to turn them from darkness to light and from the authority of Satan to God... Paul said: “I am not going mad, Your Excellency Festus, but I am uttering sayings of truth and of soundness of mind. ...Do you, King Agrippa, believe the Prophets? I know you believe.” But Agrippa said to Paul: “In a short time you would persuade me to become a Christian.”
(1 Peter 4:14-16) If you are being reproached for the name of Christ, you are happy... But if he suffers as a Christian, let him not feel shame, but let him keep on glorifying God in this name
So why do anti-Witnesses try to hijack the term "Christian" and hide its Scriptural implications? Because anti-Witnesses recognize that it is the preaching work that makes it clear that the relatively small religion of Jehovah's Witnesses are by far the most prominent followers of Christ:
(Matthew 28:19,20) Go therefore and make disciples of people of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy spirit, teaching them to observe all the things I have commanded
Learn more!
http://watchtower.ca/e/20000622/
http://watchtower.ca/e/ti/index.htm?article=article_04.htm
2007-11-09 06:42:54 · answer #1 · answered by achtung_heiss 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
a cult by definition is 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 no, Jehovahs Witnesses are not in a cult. Im not sure about Mormons. Half of my family are Witnesses, and I tell em its a cult all the time. Its just a joke though. Yeah, I know, Im so nice.
2007-11-09 05:50:15 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
Not sure about Witnesses, but the Mormon faith has always struck me as cult-ish. (not sure that's a word but who cares) I lived in Utah for a year when I was 15, and until then I had never even heard of it. Once I learned the fundamentals, I was thoroughly creeped out. Oh and if you want to learn about it, I'm sorry to say that the South Park episode about Mormons is completely true, at least about where it comes from. Also, I live about 20 minutes from Independence, MO, which is where Mormons believe the Garden of Eden is. Near the site is this giant church they have built with a retractable roof. I once went there on a field trip and I asked one of the missionaries why they have a retractable roof. Their answer was so that when Jesus reascends to Earth he won't hit his feet on the roof. Just so you know, the roof cost tens of thousands of dollars to build. Other than all that, most Mormons are the nicest people you could meet. Go figure.
2007-11-09 05:58:38 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
I am a Jehovahs Witness. No we are not a cult. I dont know why people say we are though. We dont even fall under the definition of cult.
2007-11-09 05:52:16 · answer #4 · answered by Nosferatu 5 · 3⤊ 2⤋
Yes, any religion is technically a cult, because the word cult is defined as a particular system of religious worship esp. with reference to its rights and ceremonies.
And I find Jehovahs a bit creepy in my dealings with them as they are sooo pushy. As in, if I don't believe what they believe I somehow need to saved.
Cult classics merely means a small group of devotees.
2007-11-09 05:59:43 · answer #5 · answered by mystique 5 · 1⤊ 2⤋
The witnesses aren't, but I'm very convinced that the mormons are. I read a lot about them because I live near the land of the mormon, Nauvoo, IL, and it's interesting. If you're interested read the book "Nightfall in Nauvoo". It's hard to find a copy, the mormons have bought most of them. I wonder why?
2007-11-09 10:24:23 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
i wouldn't necessarily say cult but they definetly don't know how to take no for an answer. i actually had to lie to a jehovah witness and tell them my hubby was a satanist because i could not get them to get them away from the door. no means no and that goes for peddling religious beliefs as well.
2007-11-09 05:53:04 · answer #7 · answered by rebel with a cause 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Yeah they are cults if you ask me
2007-11-09 05:48:42 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
cults for sure
2007-11-09 05:53:15 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
I know that this answer is quite long but if you read it , it will give you a better understanding :
The word cult creates a great amount of confusion for many religious and non-religious people. Some would define a cult as "any group of wackos who take religion more seriously than I do."
But what is a "cult" really?
I would contend that the term cult should be reserved for only the most recognizably destructive groups -- from both a Christian and non-Christian perspective.
From the Christian point of view, there are two very important considerations in identifying a destructive or unhealthy group.
First, there is the theological consideration. How consistent are the group's beliefs with the basic tenets of the historic Christian faith? This evaluates the eternal significance of such beliefs.
Second, there is the social-psychological consideration. How are power, authority, and control exercised in the group? This evaluates techniques of manipulation and mind control.
A group may be deficient in one or both areas and thereby be considered an unhealthy and/or destructive group from a Christian perspective.
Top 10 Cults in America
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Mormonism)
The Watchtower Bible and Tract Society (Jehovah's Witnesses)
The Church of Scientology
The Twelve Tribes
The Holy Spirit Association for the Unification of World Christianity (Unification Church)
The International Churches of Christ (Boston Movement)
The Family (Children of God)
Christian Identity Movement (Aryan Nations, Christian Identity Church, Klu Klux Klan, etc.)
The Nation of Islam (Black Muslims)
United Pentecostal Church (UPC)
When Cults come Knocking
a summary of Karl Alsin's article published in Discipleship Journal,
Issue 115 (Jan/Feb 2000)
When people in cults come to my door, I don't see them as an inconvenience; I see them as a mission field. My goal is not to convert them on the spot. Rather, my purpose is to bring them one step closer to Christ, to remove even one obstacle in their journey to the cross. To accomplish this I have developed a plan that uses their Bible to help them discover truth. It's the Bible, the Word of God, not my arguments that will convince them.
It is my prayer that, by reading this, you may also learn a method that has helped me reach people in cults for Christ. The goal of this approach is self-discovery. We can't tell them what to believe because they won't accept it from us. We can, however, seek to lead them to the truth.
Let's take a look at each step of the process:
Have them read: When cult members read through a passage of Scripture, it involved them in the process of learning. If you read to them, they are trained to think about the next point in their proselytizing outline while you talk.
Out loud: If you merely show them a verse and expect them to read it silently, they will glance at it and scan their memory for their cult's standard response. Reading out loud will engage their minds. You want them to think about the Scripture they are reading, instead of rehearsing a response.
From their Bible: They don't trust your Bible even if it agrees with theirs. When they read from their Bible, they discover that their own Scripture proclaims gospel truth.
While you ask questions: After they've finished reading, ask some simple questions about the passage to help them observe what it teaches. This may help them think about what their Bibles really teaches instead of focusing on a predetermined agenda.
C.U.L.T. Distortions
Cults tend to depart from a historic Christian understanding of the Bible in Four Key Areas. I have built an acronym using the word "C.U.L.T." to highlight these distortions. For each point, I've also identified some questions drawn from the Scriptures to expose these inaccuracies.
Christianity rejected.
Cults often suggest that the "true" Christian church has failed, thinned out, or died. They may also believe some of Jesus teaching was omitted from the Bible or was subverted by self-seeking, godless men. The result, they say, is a contemporary Christian church that doesn't teach the truth. Thus, they reject Christianity. To address this, I ask them to read Jude 3, which tells us to "contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints." Then I ask some questions such as: How many times was the faith delivered? (Once); How long will that faith last? (For all time); Is there any chance Christianity might die out? (no). You might also consider using Matt. 16:18 to confront this argument about the church's purity and vitality.
Use a new truth.
Cults attract followers by claiming they possess newly revealed truth. New truth often centers on an individual with a supposed pipeline to God, a new set of scriptures, or both. "The Bible is OK," they say, "but it's not enough. You need this extra book of scriptures or the correct interpretation of the Bible. Then you will have sufficient truth." Cults try to convince people that they cannot have access to these new truths through any other group.
But Isaiah 40:8 clearly challenges such claims: "The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever."
Consider asking these questions: What is it that stands forever? (The Word of God); Does it seem possible that the Word of God could change, become corrupted, or disappear? (No)
New truth is unnecessary because the Bible's original revelation is sufficient, unchanging, and stands forever. You might also consider together Psalm 119:89 and Isaiah 55:10-11.
Look for salvation apart from Christ.
Many cults use familiar Christian words or phrases but with different meanings. Some, for example, call Jesus their Savior. Others say they are saved by grace. But we must look closely at statements such as these.
In cults, salvation is always established by some form of works. Members must conform to an external code. Leaders use guilt, fear, and manipulation to motivate people to make sacrifices for the cult and to recruit new members. They teach their followers that the end is near and urge them to work hard to attain salvation. This work often includes some type of proselytizing.
New Testament message of salvation by grace counters the cults' emphasis upon works. In Eph. 2:8-9, Paul wrote, "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-not by works, so that no one can boast."
This passage and many others clearly teach that God graciously offers salvation as a free gift. It cannot be earned. With this verse, I might ask: How are we saved? (By accepting God's gift of salvation) Can we save ourselves? (No. We are unable to earn salvation through our works. Faith alone allows us to receive God's gift.)
For anyone who asks about the place of good works in the life of a Christian, I would continue with verse 10: "For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." God has prepared good works for believers to complete, but their purpose is not to earn salvation. Instead, our good works testify that God is at work in and through our lives. For additional study, see John 6:28-29, Gal. 2:16, 21, and Titus 3:4-7.
Teach another Jesus.
Many cults claim some sort of spiritual connection to Jesus yet distort the claims He made about Himself in the Bible. They refuse to accept Him on His terms. The Mormons believe that Jesus is an exalted man, not the eternal Son of God. To the Jehovah's Witnesses, Jesus is Michael, the archangel. To the Moonies, Jesus was a very good man who failed in His mission. The Way International asserts that Jesus was a specially created, perfect man.
The Bible teaches that Jesus is the eternal Son of God and God the Son. This is the heart of the gospel. Paul spoke to the Galatian church in strong terms when it veered from the gospel into legalism: "But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned!" Gal. 1:8
What Jesus offers depends upon His identity. For example, since Jesus is God, He can offer us eternal life. Since Jesus was fully man, He was able to bear sin's penalty for me. In John 14:6, Jesus tells us, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." After cultists read this verse aloud, I ask them: Who is the way to the Father? (Jesus Christ) If I am wrong about Jesus, will I still get into heaven? (No. We are only able to receive eternal life from the one who is able to give eternal life.)
You cannot follow Jesus yet deny His own words about Himself in the Bible. Jesus alone offers us salvation and enables us to live godly lives. He makes what cults have to offer unnecessary. Matthew 24:23-25 and I John 4:1-3 are other important passages about Christ's identity.
Note: Religion is not from God for He is Spiritual
For information about Jehovah's Witnesses and Mormons see source
2007-11-09 05:52:59 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋