What Constitutes A Cult?

[Gold Dragon]

The original usage of the word cult is equivalent to a new religious sect and had no negative connotations. So Christianity in the early centuries could have been considered a Jewish cult.

However, modern usages of the word cult have very negative connotations and are generally associated with religious groups that are isolationist under a charismatic leader who holds an unusual level of control over the behaviour of his/her followers.

 

[Tenorvoice]

However, modern usages of the word cult have very negative connotations and are generally associated with religious groups that are isolationist under a charismatic leader who holds an unusual level of control over the behaviour of his/her followers.

Laymen's terms please?? so us poor ole county folk can understands ya. thanks

 

[Gold Dragon]

Laymen's terms please?? so us poor ole county folk can understands ya. thanks

Sorry. I will try to reword.

Current uses of the word cult often carry a strong negative tone and is often used to describe religious groups that isolate themselves under the leadership of an inspiring leader who has an unusual level of control over his/her followers.

Wikipedia - Cult

In English-speaking countries since about the 1960s, especially in North America, the term cult has taken on a pejorative and sometimes offensive connotation. This largely originated with highly publicized cults which were widely believed to exploit their members psychologically and financially, or which were accused of group-based persuasion and conversion techniques.

...

The literal and traditional meanings of the word cult, which are more fully explored at the entry Cult (religion), derive from the Latin cultus, meaning "care" or "adoration," as "a system of religious belief or ritual; or: the body of adherents to same."

...

In formal English use, and in non-English European terms, the cognates of the English word "cult" are neutral, and refer mainly to divisions within a single faith, a case where English speakers might use the word "sect". Hence Roman Catholicism, Eastern Orthodoxy and Protestantism are cults within Christianity. In English, it remains perfectly neutral to refer to the "cult of Artemis at Ephesus" and the "cult figures" that accompanied it, or to "the importance of the Ave Maria in the cult of the Virgin."

However, in common usage, "cult" has a very negative connotation, and is generally applied to a group in order to criticize it.

...

Definition of "cult" by the anti-cult movement

Although anti-cult activists and scholars did not agree on precise criteria that new religions should meet to be considered "cults," two of the definitions formulated by anti-cult activists are:

Cults are groups that often exploit members psychologically and/or financially, typically by making members comply with leadership's demands through certain types of psychological manipulation, popularly called mind control, and through the inculcation of deep-seated anxious dependency on the group and its leaders [1]

Cult: A group or movement exhibiting a great or excessive devotion or dedication to some person, idea, or thing and employing unethically manipulative techniques of persuasion and control . . . designed to advance the goals of the group's leaders to the actual or possible detriment of members, their families, or the community. [8]

 

[Ave Maria]

Anything that someone wants to defame and discredit is a cult. It's an inflammatory word meant to prejudice people against people of another faith.

Cults are real and those are real characteristics of cults. The word is sometimes used to defame others but there are real cults out there and many of them are dangerous. Beware!

 

[ZiSunka]

Cults are real and those are real characteristics of cults. The word is sometimes used to defame others but there are real cults out there and many of them are dangerous. Beware!

The word "cult" also means "worship." That's what it originally meant. It also means any system of religious belief. That would include us. All B/As are technically cults.

And the word cult is usually used as an expression of anger or disgust, as a condemnation against people who worship differently than we do, or who understand the gospel differently than we do. It's meant to judge them, not to help them and restore them, or to show them the way to a relationship with Christ. I dare you to tell a JW or a mormon that they belong to a cult, then try to evangelize them. It's a term that is used to distinguish the holy "us" from the sacreligious "them."

Are there other faiths that are dangerous? There are other faiths that can lead people into a false gospel, yes. But if you know the true gospel, you don't have to fear the false ones.

 

[SonOfThunder]

The word "cult" also means "worship." That's what it originally meant. It also means any system of religious belief. That would include us. All B/As are technically cults.

And the word cult is usually used as an expression of anger or disgust, as a condemnation against people who worship differently than we do, or who understand the gospel differently than we do. It's meant to judge them, not to help them and restore them, or to show them the way to a relationship with Christ. I dare you to tell a JW or a mormon that they belong to a cult, then try to evangelize them. It's a term that is used to distinguish the holy "us" from the sacreligious "them."

Are there other faiths that are dangerous? There are other faiths that can lead people into a false gospel, yes. But if you know the true gospel, you don't have to fear the false ones.

I am very impressed with this post. Thankyou for it lambslove.

The word is used with a certain level of judgement upon others.

I often used to think about the people in a huge gathering of The Jehovah's Witnesses. How we all accept teaching without too much looking deeply into it.

I think that perhaps 70% of church going Christian people accept that what they are being taught is right. Perhaps they judge their attendance on 'the people' or 'the worship' or 'the atmosphere' or on 'works' or even just because they 'grew up in that faith', perhaps it's as simple as 'all my friends go there'.

I am shocked at how many people in my current congregation read the Bible. (not many) It was be an interesting study to check out statisically on what basis a person is attending a church.

Recently I studied a thesis on why people leave the church and noticed that the main reasons did not fit false teaching.

The term 'cult' is used to separate the 'us' from 'them'

I know if any of my family were to hear that term they would consider it laughable as they believe they are already 'in the truth'.

It's a fine line between religious differences based on interpretaion and too many people missing the point Jesus gave us in His first commandment.

James

 

[Ave Maria]

The word "cult" also means "worship." That's what it originally meant. It also means any system of religious belief. That would include us. All B/As are technically cults.

And the word cult is usually used as an expression of anger or disgust, as a condemnation against people who worship differently than we do, or who understand the gospel differently than we do. It's meant to judge them, not to help them and restore them, or to show them the way to a relationship with Christ. I dare you to tell a JW or a mormon that they belong to a cult, then try to evangelize them. It's a term that is used to distinguish the holy "us" from the sacreligious "them."

Are there other faiths that are dangerous? There are other faiths that can lead people into a false gospel, yes. But if you know the true gospel, you don't have to fear the false ones.

I use the modern definition of the word cult.

cult
n.

1. 1. <LI type=a>A religion or religious sect generally considered to be extremist or false, with its followers often living in an unconventional manner under the guidance of an authoritarian, charismatic leader.
   2. The followers of such a religion or sect.
2. A system or community of religious worship and ritual.
3. The formal means of expressing religious reverence; religious ceremony and ritual.
4. A usually nonscientific method or regimen claimed by its originator to have exclusive or exceptional power in curing a particular disease.
5. 1. <LI type=a>Obsessive, especially faddish, devotion to or veneration for a person, principle, or thing.
   2. The object of such devotion.
6. An exclusive group of persons sharing an esoteric, usually artistic or intellectual interest.

 

[SonOfThunder]

I use the modern definition of the word cult.

cult
n.

1. 1. <LI type=a>A religion or religious sect generally considered to be extremist or false, with its followers often living in an unconventional manner under the guidance of an authoritarian, charismatic leader.
   2. The followers of such a religion or sect.
2. A system or community of religious worship and ritual.
3. The formal means of expressing religious reverence; religious ceremony and ritual.
4. A usually nonscientific method or regimen claimed by its originator to have exclusive or exceptional power in curing a particular disease.
5. 
   
   1. <LI type=a>Obsessive, especially faddish, devotion to or veneration for a person, principle, or thing.
   2. The object of such devotion.
6. An exclusive group of persons sharing an esoteric, usually artistic or intellectual interest.

Hi Holly

I thought about my family and former congregation when I read your post.

1. Generally considered to be extreamist or false is true. The public hate the door knocking and see it as extreamist. Other mainstream Christian faiths consider it false (most don't know why except they are instructed it is)
1a. We lived in the community and most homes I know were conventional.
1b. We were guided by the organisation and took their authority as 'correct'

2. We followed a religion, like most other congregations follow a religion.

3. Is Biblical isn't it? Jesus healed people and taught His disciples to do as he intructed them. He also cast out demons. I think a few places don't practice this.

4. Obesssive and faddish, yes. Our God wants us 100%, our all. For His Glory and will to be done. 24 hours a day, 7 days of the week, for the rest of our days.

4a. The devotion is to God.

5. The exclusiveness is correct, Belief that they and they only have it right. However the interest is more than intellectual, it's life.


James