2007-12-06 15:35:58 · 20 answers · asked by tostosh 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Christian churches have tax exemption cults don't
2007-12-06 15:49:50 · answer #1 · answered by Trickster 6 · 1⤊ 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.
2016-05-21 23:06:41 · answer #2 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are plenty of Christian cults, and there are cults that have little to do with religion of any kind. It's the mode of operation that defines a cult.
A cult usually has a charismatic leader who is seen as infallible or even divine. If they use the bible, they will pick and choose the parts they want their group to focus on, and ignore any contradictory content so that they can manipulate the message to mean what they want.
They tend to use mind control techniques - long meetings without food, water, bathroom breaks. Sleep deprivation. Meditation techiniques. Guided visualizations. Avid repetition of slogans or rules. Intense prayer.
They become insular, and will separate people from friends and family. They often require the members turn over all their worldly possessions, or they'll make them pay to get into higher, more exclusive inner circles. They develop a jargon specific to the group that will be repeated by group members. Most eventually involve some sort of sexual abuse or control, and leaders will often arrange or dissolve marriages within the group.
Does that help?
2007-12-06 16:14:12 · answer #3 · answered by Morgaine 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
In modern times, a cult means the following:
"a religion or sect considered to be false, unorthodox, or extremist, with members often living outside of conventional society under the direction of a charismatic leader. "
This fits the followers of Charles Manson, David Koresh, Jim Jones, Warren Jeffs, and Heaven's Gate.
However, some evangelical Christians have a habit of calling everyone that doesn't agree with them a cult as a way of slandering them. 1.6 billion Bible studying followers of Christ: Mormons, Jehovah's Witnesses, Catholics...
...all hellbound cultists.
All 1.6 billion are Bible-studying followers of Christ!
It's like the jock mentality in high school, where the unpopular are teased and beaten, regardless of merit.
And many wonder why people are turning away from Christianity....
2007-12-06 15:57:42 · answer #4 · answered by Sir Network 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The use of "cult" isn't so PC anymore. But I think it can rightly be applied when both of the following characteristics exist.
1. Cults deny the basic beliefs described in the historic Christian creeds. Principally, they deny that the Trinity (tri-unity) describes God.
2. Cults are also known for appalling psychological and social pressure. For instance, you can't look at literature critical of their organization. Or, if you leave their organization, family members still in the organization are forbidden to speak to you.
2007-12-06 15:54:02 · answer #5 · answered by Scott S 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
There are Christian cults. It isn't the religion that makes the cult, it is the amount of control exercised over the members.
Have you never heard of Jim Jones? How about AmWay?
EDIT: What? Did a bunch of AmWay salesmen thumb me down, or are there survivors from Jonestown on R&S? Christians, when you thumbs down facts, it makes you look foolish.
2007-12-06 15:39:45 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 3⤋
Well as you wrote it the difference is a christian is a person and a cult is a group of people.
If you meant the difference between christianity and a cult, a lot would say there is no difference.
2007-12-06 15:39:40 · answer #7 · answered by Star 5 · 2⤊ 4⤋
The only difference between a religion and a cult is by the number of people who believe in it. The more people, it is a recognized religion that exerts its power in the community. The less people, the more cult-like it becomes.
2007-12-06 15:39:42 · answer #8 · answered by CC 7 · 2⤊ 4⤋
A Christian has been Born Again by the Holy Spirit into the Family of God while the other hopes and tries, but fails.
2007-12-06 15:42:30 · answer #9 · answered by Apostle Jeff 6 · 2⤊ 4⤋
Numbers.Once you have enough followers it changes from a cult to a religion.
2007-12-06 15:44:33 · answer #10 · answered by darwinsfriend3 AM 7 · 2⤊ 4⤋