What Is A Cult?

[Karin]

Louis Mazar:

Karin,

It is correct that I view Judaism as a cult because they deny the Deity of Christ. I got the definition of a cult that I have from D. James Kennedy who is a Presbyterian Minister from Fort Lauderdale, Florida and years ago on a audio tape Kennedy stated that a cult is a religious organization that denies the Deity of Christ. If you are a Christian then why are you sticking up for Judaism instead of agreeing that Judaism is a cult?

ok then i see your rational …but until D. James Kennedy’s definition makes it into Merriam Webster I think it is a crock of POOP!
I never said I was a christian…and if I say that the Jewish Faith is a cult then I am called ANTI-SEMETIC!!
CULT:**religion: **a system of religious or spiritual beliefs, especially an informal and transient belief system regarded by others as misguided, unorthodox, extremist, or false, and directed by a charismatic, authoritarian leader
**religious group: **a group of people who share religious or spiritual beliefs, especially beliefs regarded by others as misguided, unorthodox, extremist, or false
Definitions gotten from Encarta online.

 

[Louis_Mazar]

Karin,

If you are not a Christian then you are a heretic. Who cares that members of the Jewish Faith would state that someone is Anti Semetic if they state that Judaism is a cult? Members of the Jewish Faith and anybody else that does not believe in the Deity of Christ are being blinded by Satan pure and simple.

 

[Karin]

Louis Mazar:

Karin,

If you are not a Christian then you are a heretic Yes I suppose I am. Who cares that members of the Jewish Faith would state that someone is Anti Semetic if they state that Judaism is a cult? Members of the Jewish Faith and anybody else that does not believe in the Deity of Christ are being blinded by Satan pure and simple.

The rest of what you write is your opinion and Mr. Kennedy’s opinion.The funny thing is that the Late head of the Roman Catholic CHurch and the Current head do not agree with you…

 

[Louis_Mazar]

Karin,

I do not care what John Paul II stated about Non Christian Religions and I do not care what Pope Benedict XVI states about Non Christian Religions. Facts are facts and the facts are that any religion that denies the Deity of Christ is a false religion and unless the adherents of those religions do not accept the Deity of Christ then they will go to Hell when they pass away.

 

[Roman_Army]

*There are certain people on this site that feel that Islam is a cult. They have stated that: *

*It’s a faith apart from Christ ( = cult ). *

With this reasoning would it be safe to assume then that Islam ,Judiasm and all other major religions are cults? None follow Christ as the son of God , most say he is a prophet of God but not God.
*So what are your views, comments on this?? *

CULT:**religion: **a system of religious or spiritual beliefs, especially an informal and transient belief system regarded by others as misguided, unorthodox, extremist, or false, and directed by a charismatic, authoritarian leader
**religious group: **a group of people who share religious or spiritual beliefs, especially beliefs regarded by others as misguided, unorthodox, extremist, or false

Basically a “cult” is a religious organization (with a system of beliefs, practices, and hierarchy) either Christian, pagan, Jewish, Muslim, etc. But, since language changes over time, the word “cult” is many times today interpreted to mean pagan or satanic. Many theologians use the word “cult” to mean a religious organization.

Here’s Webster’s definition:

Main Entry: cult
Pronunciation: 'k&lt
Function: noun
Usage: often attributive
Etymology: French & Latin; French *culte, *from Latin *cultus *care, adoration, from *colere *to cultivate – more at WHEEL
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 <health cult**s>
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 : a usually small group of people characterized by such devotion

Source: webster.com/cgi-bin/dictionary?book=Dictionary&va=cult

The first and second definitions are the traditional and right ones to use. But some people take the 3rd, 4th, and 5th definitions to mean apostacy or heresy.

 

[Karin]

Louis Mazar:

Karin,

I** do not care what John Paul II stated about Non Christian Religions and I do not care what Pope Benedict XVI states about Non Christian Religions.:tsktsk: Facts are facts and the facts are that any religion that denies the Deity of Christ is a false religion and unless the adherents of those religions do not accept the Deity of Christ then they will go to Hell when they pass away./**QUOTE]
As to the rest…LOL!!!
Catechism of the Catholic Church:
**#843 **The Catholic Church recognizes in other religions that search, among shadows and images, for the God who is unknown yet near since he gives life and breath and all things and wants all men to be saved. Thus, the Church considers all goodness and truth found in these religions as "a preparation for the Gospel and given by him who enlightens all men that they may at length have **#839 **“Those who have not yet received the Gospel are related to the People of God in various ways.”
The relationship of the Church with the Jewish People. When she delves into her own mystery, the Church, the People of God in the New Covenant, discovers her link with the Jewish People, “the first to hear the Word of God.” The Jewish faith, unlike other non-Christian religions, is already a response to God’s revelation in the Old Covenant. To the Jews “belong the sonship, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises; to them belong the patriarchs, and of their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ”, “for the gifts and the call of God are irrevocableife.”

 

[Karin]

Basically a “cult” is a religious organization (with a system of beliefs, practices, and hierarchy) either Christian, pagan, Jewish, Muslim, etc. But, since language changes over time, the word “cult” is many times today interpreted to mean pagan or satanic. Many theologians use the word “cult” to mean a religious organization.

Here’s Webster’s definition:

Main Entry: cult
Pronunciation: 'k&lt
Function: noun
Usage: often attributive
Etymology: French & Latin; French *culte, *from Latin *cultus *care, adoration, from *colere *to cultivate – more at WHEEL
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 <health cult**s>
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 : a usually small group of people characterized by such devotion

Source: webster.com/cgi-bin/dictionary?book=Dictionary&va=cult

The first and second definitions are the traditional and right ones to use. But some people take the 3rd, 4th, and 5th definitions to mean apostacy or heresy.

Thank you Roman_Army but Louis does not beleve that…he believes Mr. Kennedy’s definition and that is that!!! Heck he does not even care what Pope John Paul II has to say on the matter or that matter Pope Benedict XVI has to say…

 

[Geocacher]

WOW this is a really HOT topic here, and I havent done much of any posting lately to the Catholic Dot Com Forums here.

I can see from all of this that Oranized Religions can be in a bitter fight, and we can loose the spirit over this easily.

I feel that any Religion getting into the Occult on any level to be dangerous and a CULT. A cult is any religion that secretly deverts you from the Gospel message in the New Testiment.

---

I believe that it is easy to loose the spirit with these chats here, and i think it is important to do alot of Prayer and fasting to get the spirit back.

Here is a link below that takes an opposite view of this entire topic, and may throw a wrench in the works:
near-death.com/experiences/research06.html
Sorry in advance if this is too big a wrench in the works.

 

[Karin]

Geocacher:

WOW this is a really HOT topic here, and I havent done much of any posting lately to the Catholic Dot Com Forums here.

I can see from all of this that Oranized Religions can be in a bitter fight, and we can loose the spirit over this easily.

I feel that any Religion getting into the Occult on any level to be dangerous and a CULT. A cult is any religion that secretly deverts you from the Gospel message in the New Testiment.

---

I believe that it is easy to loose the spirit with these chats here, and i think it is important to do alot of Prayer and fasting to get the spirit back.

Here is a link below that takes an opposite view of this entire topic, and may throw a wrench in the works:
near-death.com/experiences/research06.html
Sorry in advance if this is too big a wrench in the works.

Ok I guess I am nit understanding something…may I ask where you get your definition of the word CULT? Why does everyone assume that if you are not Catholic then you are in a cult?? In no dictionary does it state this fact. HELP!!!

 

[Karin]

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

I believe that it is easy to loose the spirit with these chats here, and i think it is important to do alot of Prayer and fasting to get the spirit back.

Here is a link below that takes an opposite view of this entire topic, and may throw a wrench in the works:
near-death.com/experiences/research06.html
Sorry in advance if this is too big a wrench in the works.

Man I missed this part…your right some people are not going to be happy…

 

[Geocacher]

I look at 3 levels of Cults:

1st level is that of the Occult

2nd level of Cults is that which goes against the Gosple message in the New Testament.

3rd level is is whats being debated here, with Each church saying that the other is a CULT.

 

[Karin]

Louis Mazar:

Karin,

I do not care what John Paul II stated about Non Christian Religions and I do not care what Pope Benedict XVI states about Non Christian Religions. .

Your profile states that you are Catholic…are you not saying that you are against GOD when you say you are not in agreement with the Pope(s)…as the Pope is supposed to be Christ’s representative on earth.?? Are there any Catholics that can help me out with this??