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Evanescence
Guest
What do you think the difference is between a religion and a cult?
Evanescence
Evanescence
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Evanescence
Guest
apologies for the typo, religion not relgion lol
Evanescence
Evanescence
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Monarchy
Guest
I would say any religion were the leader is completly infalible no matter what he does (i.e. child sex abuse, poligamy, etc…) would be considered a cult. A religion where the leadere is not considered capable of making a mistake.
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buzzcut
Guest
The word cult has different meanings.
The old meaning was simply any organized system of faith and practice – as in, for example, the expression “disparity of cult.”
The new meaning uses the word more specifically for aggressive organizations that exercise a great deal of control over their members’ lives. Cult-watchers have tried to identify the characteristics that make something a cult in this sense. For example, a large time commitment is demanded from members, the organization is hard to get out of, etc. etc. etc.
The old meaning was simply any organized system of faith and practice – as in, for example, the expression “disparity of cult.”
The new meaning uses the word more specifically for aggressive organizations that exercise a great deal of control over their members’ lives. Cult-watchers have tried to identify the characteristics that make something a cult in this sense. For example, a large time commitment is demanded from members, the organization is hard to get out of, etc. etc. etc.
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Gerry_Hunter
Guest
I once hears this working definition of a cult.
A cult seeks to undermine the freedom of choice of its members.
Undermining here means removing the ability to make a free choice, through manipulation and coersion. It does not mean persuasion or argument to influence that choice. In a cult, rejection of its tenets results in rejection and anger by those who are members of it. There is no sorrow over the choice made, as there might be where someone made a choice for which the others fear the consequences for the chooser.
As I said, this was offerred as a working, not a rigourous, definition.
Blessings,
Gerry
A cult seeks to undermine the freedom of choice of its members.
Undermining here means removing the ability to make a free choice, through manipulation and coersion. It does not mean persuasion or argument to influence that choice. In a cult, rejection of its tenets results in rejection and anger by those who are members of it. There is no sorrow over the choice made, as there might be where someone made a choice for which the others fear the consequences for the chooser.
As I said, this was offerred as a working, not a rigourous, definition.
Blessings,
Gerry
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Uranage
Guest
Religoius cults are usually characterized by a claim of being Christian while at the same time denying essental elements of Christianity. Examples would be Mormons, Jevohahs Witnesses, etc…
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scylla
Guest
Has anyone heard of www.Rickross.com this is a site dedicated to cults. I am not sure of what everyones opinion is, but it does have some interesting stories.
God Bless
Scylla
God Bless
Scylla
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Contarini
Guest
Sociologists define a cult as a minority religious group that is radically different from the dominant majority (a sect is a minority group that belongs to the dominant religion but differs from it in more minor points).
I don’t really think that any other definition is very useful. I think Christians should use the term “heresy” rather than “cult.”
Edwin
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Evanescence
Guest
What is the difference between a religion and a cult though.
I’ve been talking to ex-jehovah’s Witnesses here www.jehovahs-witnesses.com and they seem to think that all religions are a cult.
I wish to help these people a bit, and I think it would be nice if some christians went over there and helped them a bit as well
(should really post this in jw subforum lol)
I post there sometimes, I don’t know a great deal, so its hard… they all think God kills, isn’t loving, doesn’t exist and he is somewhat like Santa claus
I would like to make a thread there, stating the difference between a religion and a cult.
I know, Cults worship Man, Religions worship God.
People in cults are to confess everything to their leader and be completly honest but when facing people outside their org, they are to lie and not be honest about what goes on in their cult, things are hidden from new recruits but late revealed as they slowely join the cult. while religion on the other hand does not hide doctrines and the people are honest inside and out.
Anything to add?
Evanescence
I’ve been talking to ex-jehovah’s Witnesses here www.jehovahs-witnesses.com and they seem to think that all religions are a cult.
I wish to help these people a bit, and I think it would be nice if some christians went over there and helped them a bit as well
(should really post this in jw subforum lol)I post there sometimes, I don’t know a great deal, so its hard… they all think God kills, isn’t loving, doesn’t exist and he is somewhat like Santa claus
I would like to make a thread there, stating the difference between a religion and a cult.
I know, Cults worship Man, Religions worship God.
People in cults are to confess everything to their leader and be completly honest but when facing people outside their org, they are to lie and not be honest about what goes on in their cult, things are hidden from new recruits but late revealed as they slowely join the cult. while religion on the other hand does not hide doctrines and the people are honest inside and out.
Anything to add?
Evanescence
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Contarini
Guest
Well, I can only repeat my previous advice: Drop the word “cult” altogether. It isn’t helpful. You will feel so much freer if you let it go forever. Trust me!
Edwin
Edwin
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MEP
Guest
A religion seeks to offer something to the believer. A religion tries to help people better themselves or lead a better life.
A cult is self-interested. It exists either to glorify the leadership or otherwise sacrifice the needs of the believers for the sake of whoever is in charge.
The object of worship is not what really determines the difference. The purpose of worship does. Am I Catholic because I want to be a better person? Am I Catholic because I want to experience a better life by serving the will of God? Am I Catholic because by serving something larger than myself, I find a little slice of happiness in my life and a chance at heaven?
Or am I Catholic because I’ve been duped into putting money in the collection plate every week to assuage my guilt? Am I finding God or am I blindly following the precepts of the episcopate to avoid taking responsibility by making my own choices?
A cult exists for the purpose of whoever is on top of the cult. A religion exists for the benefit of all.
A cult is self-interested. It exists either to glorify the leadership or otherwise sacrifice the needs of the believers for the sake of whoever is in charge.
The object of worship is not what really determines the difference. The purpose of worship does. Am I Catholic because I want to be a better person? Am I Catholic because I want to experience a better life by serving the will of God? Am I Catholic because by serving something larger than myself, I find a little slice of happiness in my life and a chance at heaven?
Or am I Catholic because I’ve been duped into putting money in the collection plate every week to assuage my guilt? Am I finding God or am I blindly following the precepts of the episcopate to avoid taking responsibility by making my own choices?
A cult exists for the purpose of whoever is on top of the cult. A religion exists for the benefit of all.
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Contarini
Guest
MEP,
What this really means is that religions you have no use for and want to trash are “cults.” I don’t see any other outcome for the way you are framing things.
Just about every religious group is prone to become self-serving, and can seem radically and hopelessly self-serving if judged from a hostile perspective.
It’s all just way too subjective.
Edwin
What this really means is that religions you have no use for and want to trash are “cults.” I don’t see any other outcome for the way you are framing things.
Just about every religious group is prone to become self-serving, and can seem radically and hopelessly self-serving if judged from a hostile perspective.
It’s all just way too subjective.
Edwin
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scylla
Guest
I agree with Contarini, the word cult nowdays has such a negative connotation that is just causes problems with any dialogue.
Instead of focusing on the discussion it will just cause people to veer off, and sometimes just be offended and not want any dialogue.
I steer away from using words like cult, it just causes problems.
Example: You buncha heretics!!
God Bless
Scylla
Instead of focusing on the discussion it will just cause people to veer off, and sometimes just be offended and not want any dialogue.
I steer away from using words like cult, it just causes problems.
Example: You buncha heretics!!
God Bless
Scylla
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Evanescence
Guest
What does heretic mean? 
Yes, its just people think that there is no difference between a religion and a cult/heretic whatever.
Just made a thread, wondering what the main differences are and how you can tell a religion apart from a cult.
the book, “Cults too good to be true” by Raphael Aron is good, at first I didn’t know much of cults and how deadly they are, but the book was a real eye opener.
There are some very dangerous cults out there…
Evanescence
Yes, its just people think that there is no difference between a religion and a cult/heretic whatever.
Just made a thread, wondering what the main differences are and how you can tell a religion apart from a cult.
the book, “Cults too good to be true” by Raphael Aron is good, at first I didn’t know much of cults and how deadly they are, but the book was a real eye opener.
There are some very dangerous cults out there…
Evanescence
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Mystophilus
Guest
I would disagree, for two reasons. The first is that “cult” refers particularly to the group of people, whereas “heresy” refers particularly to the ideological position. The second is that “cult” is applicable to a derivative of any religious system, whereas “heresy” can only be reasonably applied to a derivative of one’s own system, because, in employing the term, one defines the position as “not right”, and therefore implicitly defines another position as “right”. Thus, a Christian cannot reasonably define any particular strain of Buddhist ideology as a “heresy”, whereas a Buddhist can.
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