Last night, I replied to a question asking what the different was between Christianity and a cult and I replied that by definition, Christianity IS a cult.
Below is the definition according to Webster's. I'd like Christians to tell me how Christianity does NOT fit the first two definitions.
1: formal religious veneration : worship
2: a system of religious beliefs and ritual; also : its body of adherents
3: a religion regarded as unorthodox or spurious; also : its body of adherents
4: a system for the cure of disease based on dogma set forth by its promulgator
5 a: great devotion to a person, idea, object, movement, or work (as a film or book); especially : such devotion regarded as a literary or intellectual fad b: the object of such devotion
The etymology, also from Webster's: Etymology: French & Latin; French culte, from Latin cultus care, adoration, from colere to cultivate
Date: 1617
2007-12-07 05:16:07 · 25 answers · asked by eris 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
PAULO, well yes...I know that LOL
2007-12-07 05:20:36 · update #1
Papucho, it doesn't have to fit all 5...they are each separate definitions...
2007-12-07 05:22:10 · update #2
Averell, why do I need to have a problem to ask a question??? What's YOUR problem?
2007-12-07 05:24:49 · update #3
Harry, would you kindly cite the source of your definition? My question is specifically concerning the definition I posted...making up your own definition is irrelevant to my question...
2007-12-07 05:26:01 · update #4
Char, that's the 3rd definition. I was referring to the first TWO.
2007-12-07 05:28:10 · update #5
But by the first two definitions EVERY religion would be a cult.... which of course, may be your point.
2007-12-07 05:19:26 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 2⤋
It is true that we believe in the Bible. It is also true that there is ritual. By definitions 1 and 2, I can see where Christianity would be considered a cult.
The main focus of Christianity is not religion though. The main focus is a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
Rituals are not important as much as asking Jesus to be our Lord and Savior.
Let's consider number 3 though. That is more what I think a cult is. A cult would be considered unorthodox or spurious if they redefined who Jesus is. LDS and JW are unorthodox in this way.
2007-12-07 05:24:01 · answer #2 · answered by MikeM 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Christianity does fit the correct and proper definition of a "cult", which is a formal form of worship. It does not fit the common connotation, not listed in Webster since it only deals with denotations, of a group that uses religion in a deceptive and controlling way. Which is the inended meaning when most people call something a "cult".
2007-12-07 05:29:38 · answer #3 · answered by dewcoons 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
People have so often thrown the label "cult" around so negatively that it has developed a very bad conotation. But, according to the denotation you've provided, I don't see anything wrong with #1, 2, and 5. Even #3 and 4 aren't necessarily bad.
Like others have said, every religion is a cult by the first two. That does not make them evil or wrong.
2007-12-07 05:46:31 · answer #4 · answered by Senator John McClain 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Christianity is not a fad. The faith has been around long enough not to be called a fad. By these definitions most all religions would be a cult. Most faiths have formal worship time, all have system of religious beliefs and ritual, all belief systems are regarded as unorthodox by someone, and all have a devotion to what they worship. No matter what god/goddess you worship you believe they have power, wither pray to them or meditate to become more like them. I think this definition would mean anyone who believes in a higher power belongs to a cult and that is wrong. Christianity is my faith and I don't push my faith on anyone but my faith should respected.
2007-12-07 05:38:52 · answer #5 · answered by Tessa 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
True Christianity is the farthest thing from a cult. Yes, the 2 first definitions describe Christianity somewhat, but we don't have to worship; we get to. We do not follow rituals either. You may see some people go to church just because and commune just as a ritual, but a true Christian has purpose. We choose to believe. We were not taken captive and brainwashed. The Word has proven Himself, so why not trust Him?
What is your definition of a cult?
If you could see it through our perspective, I know you would not think about it the same way you do now. And I know that last line sounds just like a cult (out of context), but can anyone really find words to express their love?
2007-12-07 05:49:04 · answer #6 · answered by mattio75 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
which would be no longer ordinary to respond to:- Catholics have been discouraged from analyzing the Bible till around 1960. or perhaps now they use some unusual interpretation techniques, a great number of allegory. Catholics are a "sect' of Christianity, in spite of the certainty that many believe they do no longer look to be Christian in any respect. they're probable the main perverted form of Christianity. Jehovah's Witness are concept to be Christian yet they do no longer look to be. they have re-translated the King James into the hot worldwide Translation that's a perverted text cloth. The do no longer settle for Jesus as Lord-so as that they are surely no longer Christian. Mormons (LDS, ROLDS), do no longer use the Bible, yet use the e book of Mormon that's a fabrication by making use of Joseph Smith. it is been re-written thrice. some sects like "self reliant Baptist, and a few Pentecostals enable merely the King James version-yet they do no longer forbid Bible analyzing-they inspire it. Any sect that forbids the analyzing of the Bible may well be a cult. The Mormons and JW's are cults for various motives, yet forbidding to study the Bible is unquestionably a sign that the gang is a cult.
2016-10-10 11:41:50 · answer #7 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Here's the definition of "cult" as it concerns Christianity. A cult is a religion that preaches a different gospel than told in the Bible, which is the official, inerrant Word of God. The two most well known cults are mormonism and Jehovah's Witnesses. Since a cult is defined by it's comparison to Christianity, then Christianity cannot be a cult.
2007-12-07 05:23:00 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋
That definition could apply to almost anything, even political parties.
My understanding of a cult requires (1) a charismatic leader who is present in an earthly sense, (2) some amount of seperation from secular life, (3) surrender of personal finances to some degree, and (4) a strict and enforced daily discipline that generally includes a diet designed to weaken mental acumen.
2007-12-07 05:21:46 · answer #9 · answered by Kara J 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Christianity is neither unorthodox nor spurious, though it may fit the first two.
Here is Wester's definition of Christianity:
Main Entry: Chris·tian·i·ty
Pronunciation: \ˌkris-chē-ˈa-nə-tē, ˌkrish-, -ˈcha-nə-, ˌkris-tē-ˈa-\
Function: noun
Date: 14th century
1 : the religion derived from Jesus Christ, based on the Bible as sacred scripture, and professed by Eastern, Roman Catholic, and Protestant bodies
2 : conformity to the Christian religion
3 : the practice of Christianity
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2007-12-07 05:26:14 · answer #10 · answered by Char 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Being a Christian is not about rituals and traditions..it is more about a relationship with God through Jesus Christ our Lord. It was the religious leaders that delivered Christ up to the Romans and demanded that He be crucified. It is the "religious spirit" that divides Gods people through these rites and rituals and man made doctrine..A religious spirit promotes self righteousness and our works can never get us into heaven...and there is none that is without sin and worthy to judge righteously.
I guess this was not the answer you were expecting...but I agree that "Religion" in general distributes cult-like behavior..and Christianity is no exception. According to the scriptures, "pure and undefiled religion is to visit the widows and orphans in their affliction and help them to the best of your ability"..
2007-12-07 05:29:54 · answer #11 · answered by loveChrist 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋