Religion vs Cult

[jasonjessica09]

What is the difference between a cult and a religion?

I heard people at work say this and I really did not know how to respond, but being somebody who wants to be a good Catholic apologist I really wanted to say something. Becaue my office has no lack of atheists hanging around here.

How could I address the difference between a true religious faith such as Christianity and some fake loony cultish philosphy whether big (Islam), medium (scientology) or small (Westboro Church)?

 

[kykid]

In my mind, a cult is usually led by one person who is often mentally unstable (ex. Charles Manson, David Koresh, Jim Jones, Adolph Hitler, Joseph Stalin, Pol Pot, etc.). Their beliefs are often way out of the mainstream and involve total devotion to the dear Leader who receives all proceeds derived from the cults operation. These things often end badly with sometimes millions killed in pursuit of the cults goals.

A religion is usually founded by a deeply spiritual person who focuses on things not of this world, but of the next. Very often, these leaders are also accused of being mentally unstable by those who oppose the religion or movement. These leaders are usually very acetic in nature, and not concerned with wealth or fame. Sometimes these are thrust upon them, however, by their followers or benefactors. Some religions, although peaceful in doctrine, are subverted by the lunatic fringe to something resembling a violent cult (ex. Islam).

 

[Bev17243]

Hmm, easy-signs of brainwashing cult-“kill the ones who don’t follow our religion and you will go to heaven as long as you are good to other members of our faith”. Or if you try to leave and its followers will try to harrass you or even attempt to harm you, its definately a cult

 

[Lisa44]

One of the big things with cults is they want to control and isolate their adherents. So you will find that the person is only allowed to associate with other members of the cult, and they are discouraged from having much to do with their biological family and childhood friends.

They also use mind control techniques on people.

And they also demand a great deal of personal TIME from its adherents. So that they will spend holidays and weekends devoted to the cult and eventually, their whole lives.

The demand money. Or service, from their adherents.

And they demand that the adherents worship a human who represents the false religion.

And they promise a spiritual reward for their devotion and energy.

They discourage active participation in worldly affairs. Even listening to the news.

Drugs or alcohol are sometimes used. Other times it is another form of mental distraction such as yoga or meditation that is used to “rid” the mind of attachments. (ie: useful knowledge).

Sexual behaviors are not limited or constrained. Often the leader will engage in risky sexual behavior and encourage devotees to do the same.

That’s all I can think of right now.

 

[Lokabrenna]

Technically all religions are cults, because the simplest definition of a cult is “a group of people who worship together”. One of the Catholic books I have in my library is entitled “The Life and Cult of St. Anne”.

This is why, in my class on New Religious Movements, we used the term “destructive cult” to talk about organizations like The Peoples Temple, David Koresh’s group, etc.

Among Pagans, the Advanced Bonewits Cult Danger Evaluation Form is often used to evaluate groups (since there’s no regulatory body that keeps track of every group). It touches on many of the points that Lisa44 made (although there are additional categories that are specifically geared towards Pagans). It can be found here, in case anyone is curious: neopagan.net/ABCDEF.html

Of course, it bears noting that to some, Pagan religions are dangerous cults!

 

[Mirza19]

What is the difference between a cult and a religion?

I heard people at work say this and I really did not know how to respond, but being somebody who wants to be a good Catholic apologist I really wanted to say something. Becaue my office has no lack of atheists hanging around here.

How could I address the difference between a true religious faith such as Christianity and some fake loony cultish philosphy whether big (Islam), medium (scientology) or small (Westboro Church)?

As some who studied religion at college, the definition of a “cult” depends on the subject being studied.

Sociologically, it requires a central figure or figures, a desire to consume the money, time, and other tangible resources of its members, a strong desire for conversion, isolation from relatives and other “non-believers,” emotional techniques that enhance conversion and retain loyalty, and sometimes a hidden level or levels of belief kept away from the public.

In the academic study of religion, a “cult” is any organized system of religious belief that has a ritual element. Therefore, Catholics, Orthodox Christians, Protestants, Muslims, Mormons, Scientologists, Bahá’ís, Hindus, Buddhists, Sikhs, Zoroastrians, Druze, Ahl-e Haqq, Yazdanis, Samaritans, Mandeans, Manichaeans, Neo-pagans, etc. are all equally “cults.” There are also cults within cults. For example, some academics study what they call the “Cult of Mary” within Catholic tradition.

Sociologically, Muslims are not a cult. And honestly, neither are mainstream Mormons, as well as “Freezone” Scientologists. On the other hand, Muslim fundamentalists groups such as Al-Qaeda, Mormon renegade groups, and certain New Age groups do qualify as sociological “cults.”

The use of "cult’ as a derogatory term meaning “false religion” isn’t used anywhere in a serious sense. It’s usually just an angry term thrown about by angry people upset with someone different from themselves.

 

[Mormon_Cultist]

Only the most extreme and dangerous cults display all of the above warning signs - but one such extreme cult has infiltrated thousands of high schools and colleges across the country. Many parents have been deceived into thinking that their son or daughter has become involved in a healthy school activity, when in fact they have been recruited by one of the most sophisticated and dangerous cults ever. This cult takes up many hours of student time, imposes physically grueling demands, requires total obedience to shadowy authority figures who exert control over many aspects of the child’s life, subjects them to extreme peer pressure to perform and achieve goals for the group, demands that the child obey strict rules of behavior and diet, and even forces the child to wear special ritualistic clothing - often including special underwear (at least for boys)! The cult I speak of is actually a network of several related organizations, all of which focus on the same cultic specialty: competitive sports. Posing as intercollegiate or high school athletic teams, these cults dominate a young person’s life. Whether it’s basketball, football, baseball, soccer, wrestling, track and field, hockey, or lacrosse, your child is being pulled into the web of a giant cult conspiracy. The lure of these sports cults draws thousands of young people every year, who then become trained for intense, warlike pagan rituals with “opponent teams.” All “competitors” wear ritualistic clothing with specific colors and symbols pertaining to their branch of the cult. Parents often feel proud of their son or daughter in their attractive “uniform,” not recognizing the occult nature of the garb that shrouds their child.
Rigid rules of conduct govern the rituals, and those who fail to comply may be ejected or otherwise humiliated. All must obey the supreme cult authority figure, the “coach,” whose iron will governs the child’s life both during and after competitive rituals. All must be scarified to please the coach and to achieve goals for the good of the cult. Shockingly, child involvement in the sports cults often happens with the encouragement and support of gullible parents who have no idea how sinister competitive sports really are.

Once a youth has been conditioned and trained by a sports cult, the victim tends to have a mindless addiction to competitive sports rituals throughout adulthood, often persisting right into senility and beyond. Many victims become evangelists for their cult, often wearing sweaters and jackets displaying the occult logos or symbols of their particular “team,” and sometimes paying large amounts of money and waiting hours in line just for a chance to observe a competitive ritual involving their branch of the cult. Sometimes entire student bodies rally to support the cause of a cult, though only an elite and exclusive minority are allowed to actually join and participate.

All this occurs in public schools, in spite of public pronouncements about the separation of Church and State. The sports cults receive millions of dollars of public funds and almost unlimited support from public schools, often at the expense of real education. Lives are ruined, souls are entangled in darkness, and thousands of debilitating injuries are suffered as human sacrifices before the altars of the sports cults. Yet Americans, blind and gullible, are unable to see the evil that lurks before their eyes and that has entangled their own children. Parents, your child may belong to a dangerous cult - and you may be the one who encouraged him or her to join!

As with all the dark tools of the Evil One, the sports cults trace their roots back to the early days of human civilization. Archaeologists recently uncovered an intact cultic shrine in Syria, dating to 1000 B.C., where ancient pagans worshipped the false god Baal. In this shrine was a dimly lit room where cultic worshipers would sit for hours before a large altar. On the altar, three strange objects were displayed: a large empty vase, a clay statue of a human foot, and a wicker basket. Participants would stare at these objects and worship for hours, often chanting and yelling while partaking of cultic beverages, typically alcoholic. Apparently, the objects on the altar were viewed as manifestations of the god Baal. Thus, as early as 1000 B.C., we find evidence of devout pagan worship of the gods Vase-Baal, Foot-Baal, and Basket-Baal. This form of worship continues today in the sports cults.

Finally, for those who are not yet convinced, let me simply point out that sports cults DO NOT teach modern Protestant doctrines. If they aren’t officially mainstream Protestant, they are officially a cult. End of story.

Parents, you can protect your child. Be informed, do all you can to stop these cults, and above all, be sure to buy the CultMaster 2000 CD set, which will give you all the tools you need to battle cults of all kinds. Any parent who does not buy the CultMaster 2000 CD set may well be guilty of child abuse through neglect. Order now!

It’s a little silly: but makes a point, I hope you agree.

 

[BettyBoop416]

What is the difference between a cult and a religion

I’ve heard many non-Catholics refer to Catholicism as a cult. I’ve heard Catholics refer to Mormonism as a cult. In this thread, a poster referred to Islam as a cult.

It seems that a cult is any religion other than the one you practice.

Edit:

Oops…Mirza19 beat me to it.

It’s usually just an angry term thrown about by angry people upset with someone different from themselves.

 

[Joe_Kelley]

I have read someplace, and think it is true, that every culture is based on a cult - a system of belief. The conclusion was that, when you abandon your cult, you will soon lose your culture. The article was warning that the abandonment of Christianity in Europe will lead to a Muslim culture.

 

[George_Stegmeir]

Hmm, easy-signs of brainwashing cult-“kill the ones who don’t follow our religion and you will go to heaven as long as you are good to other members of our faith”. Or if you try to leave and its followers will try to harrass you or even attempt to harm you, its definately a cult

You left out the “Moonies”, who try to attract Catholics to their church by denying they are a separate religion to people they are trying to convert!

 

[Stephen168]

It’s a little silly: but makes a point, I hope you agree.

It seems to be an example of using the word ‘cult’ as a pejorative, but doesn’t defend Mormonism from being called a cult. As defined above:

Sociologically, it requires a central figure or figures, a desire to consume the money, time, and other tangible resources of its members, a strong desire for conversion, isolation from relatives and other “non-believers,” emotional techniques that enhance conversion and retain loyalty, and sometimes a hidden level or levels of belief kept away from the public.

 

[Mormon_Cultist]

Sociologically, it requires a central figure or figures,

Jesus Christ, perhaps?

a desire to consume the money, time, and other tangible resources of its members,

Didn’t Paul and the other Apostles spend much (all?) of their time travelling and teaching? Expecting the members to spend their time, money, food and other resources to support them?

a strong desire for conversion

I believe the vast majority of the early saints’ time was spent in seeking out converts?

isolation from relatives and other "non-believers,"emotional techniques that enhance conversion and retain loyalty,

Certainly neither of these apply anyway,

and sometimes a hidden level or levels of belief kept away from the public.

Yes, Jesus did teach in those awkward parables, didn’t He.

Quite simply, the claims made against Mormonism as being a cult, apply equally well to the early Christians. Hence my handle: given that these definitions fit Christ and His original disciples, I’m more than happy to be associated with them.

 

[Tenofovir]

I’ve heard many non-Catholics refer to Catholicism as a cult. I’ve heard Catholics refer to Mormonism as a cult. In this thread, a poster referred to Islam as a cult.

It seems that a cult is any religion other than the one you practice.

Edit:

Oops…Mirza19 beat me to it.

Atheists have cults too…

The Cult of GNU = New Atheists, i.e. followers of the likes of Dawkins, Denet, Myers, Hitchens, Grayling, etc. People who draw inspiration and information from these people and their philosophy.

 

[Miriam1947]

Jesus Christ, perhaps?

Didn’t Paul and the other Apostles spend much (all?) of their time travelling and teaching? Expecting the members to spend their time, money, food and other resources to support them?

**Paul was a tent maker. He worked. **

I believe the vast majority of the early saints’ time was spent in seeking out converts?

Yep

Certainly neither of these apply anyway,

Yes, Jesus did teach in those awkward parables, didn’t He.

Quite simply, the claims made against Mormonism as being a cult, apply equally well to the early Christians. Hence my handle: given that these definitions fit Christ and His original disciples, I’m more than happy to be associated with them.

We as Christians follow Christ. You know-God.

You follow a man with questionable morals. You know-Joseph Smith.

You even have a hymn about him. And you have to be approved by JS in order to reach your heaven.

Man-made all the way.

 

[Stephen168]

Sociologically, it requires a central figure or figures,

Jesus Christ, perhaps?

No, Thomas S. Monson
Ezra Taft Benson; Fourteen Fundamentals in Following the Prophet 2/26/1980:

In conclusion, let us summarize this grand key, these “Fourteen Fundamentals in Following the Prophet,” for our salvation hangs on them.
First: The prophet is the only man who speaks for the Lord in everything.
Second: The living prophet is more vital to us than the standard works.
Third: The living prophet is more important to us than a dead prophet.
Fourth: The prophet will never lead the Church astray.
Fifth: The prophet is not required to have any particular earthly training or credentials to speak on any subject or act on any matter at any time.
Sixth: The prophet does not have to say “Thus saith the Lord” to give us scripture.
Seventh: The prophet tells us what we need to know, not always what we want to know.
Eighth: The prophet is not limited by men’s reasoning.
Ninth: The prophet can receive revelation on any matter, temporal or spiritual.
Tenth: The prophet may be involved in civic matters.
Eleventh: The two groups who have the greatest difficulty in following the prophet are the proud who are learned and the proud who are rich.
Twelfth: The prophet will not necessarily be popular with the world or the worldly.
Thirteenth: The prophet and his counselors make up the First Presidency—the highest quorum in the Church.
Fourteenth: The prophet and the presidency—the living prophet and the First Presidency—follow them and be blessed; reject them and suffer.

isolation from relatives and other "non-believers,"emotional techniques that enhance conversion and retain loyalty,

Certainly neither of these apply anyway,

In my small high school, Mormons were compelled to be ‘friends.’ I would also add callings, and temples.

Quite simply, the claims made against Mormonism as being a cult, apply equally well to the early Christians. Hence my handle: given that these definitions fit Christ and His original disciples, I’m more than happy to be associated with them.

I would agree that Christianity could be called a cult until the crucifixion. After the death of Christ, it no longer fits the definition. A living cult figure is no longer present.

 

[soren1]

A cult is a religion or organization whose operational objective is to prey on its members by turning them into willing victims. All the other attributes of a cult, e.g. charismatic leader, closed society, are accidental relative to this central, definitional feature.

Lokabrenna’s point that all religions are cults is well taken, but it depends on understanding “cult” in its classical and technical sense, which pertains to unified rites of worship that define a community, not in its usual sense in modern parlance, which pertains specifically to subversive religions.

 

[Mormon_Cultist]

No, Thomas S. Monson

The prophet is no more central to us than Peter was to the early church; in fact they are fulfilling exactly the same role.

to be ‘friends.’ I would also add callings, and temples.

“Compelled”?! How, exactly, are you suggesting this was accomplished.
Naturally people with similar beliefs and opinions tend to gravitate together; are you telling me you don’t know any other Catholics, and spend no time with any others either?

Who/where said anything about the central figure having to be living?

 

[Stephen168]

We as Christians follow Christ. You know-God.

You follow a man with questionable morals. You know-Joseph Smith.

You even have a hymn about him. And you have to be approved by JS in order to reach your heaven.

Man-made all the way.

I would not call Mormonism a cult for following the teachings of its founder, Joseph Smith, any more than I would call Catholicism a cult for following the teachings of its founder, Jesus Christ.

What got me thinking about whether Mormonism is a cult is how they follow the teachings of their current leader even if his teachings are the exact opposite of the teachings of previous leaders. Teachings like Blood Atonement, God was Adam, and Mark of Cain (no black priests) would seem to be unchangeable if true. The more I learn of these older doctrines the more I wonder.

 

[Stephen168]

“Compelled”?! How, exactly, are you suggesting this was accomplished.

I don’t know ‘how.’ I was not Mormon and I didn’t live in their homes. But it happened.

 

[Laughing_Crow]

As a former atheist, I should warn you against taking on a debate about the difference between cults and religions. One of the posts here said ‘A cult is usually lead by someone mentally unstable’. Depending on how aggressive the atheists at you work place are, one could quite easily say 'How do you know Jesus wasn’t mentally unstable?" Just be prepared for one of these slap-to-the-face comments, quite a few atheists are bitter.

As for the whole difference thing, I forgot who posted it but all religions are ‘cults’, why we use the term ‘destructive cult’. Simply put, cult is an old word that has been assigned a different meaning in our modern times (in this case as something dangerous) the same way the word ‘queer’ no longer means ‘strange/peculiar’ and gay no longer means ‘happy/jolly’.