ChatterBank2 mins ago
Religion vs Cult?
15 Answers
It is my 'belief' that if Judaism/Christianity/Islam (delete as appropriate) didn't exist today and was 'revealed' tomorrow by a 'Prophet' and gained a couple of hundred members in its first few years, it would be regarded by the general public as a cult.
That's all that religions are – cults. The only real discernible difference between a religion and a cult is the amount of people who believe in it.
Discuss!
That's all that religions are – cults. The only real discernible difference between a religion and a cult is the amount of people who believe in it.
Discuss!
Answers
Best Answer
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For more on marking an answer as the "Best Answer", please visit our FAQ.I got this from http://www.cultinformation.org.uk/
They define a cult as...
1. It uses psychological coercion to recruit, indoctrinate and retain its members;
2. It forms an elitist totalitarian society;
3. Its founder leader is self-appointed, dogmatic, messianic, not accountable and has charisma;
4. It believes 'the end justifies the means' in order to solicit funds and recruit people;
5. Its wealth does not benefit its members or society.
All of the above can be attributed to the Abrahamic religions, particularly numbers 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5...
They define a cult as...
1. It uses psychological coercion to recruit, indoctrinate and retain its members;
2. It forms an elitist totalitarian society;
3. Its founder leader is self-appointed, dogmatic, messianic, not accountable and has charisma;
4. It believes 'the end justifies the means' in order to solicit funds and recruit people;
5. Its wealth does not benefit its members or society.
All of the above can be attributed to the Abrahamic religions, particularly numbers 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5...
it is:
cult+numbers+time+geographical spread.
mormonism (and chrisitianity etc) really took of when they started to export it via missionaries. it ingratiated mormonism into mainstream life and went from being a cult to a world wide "accepted" religion.
scientology is following close behind. as said by someone in scientology:
"all new religions go through a period when they are thrown to the lions and persecuted. then there is the crossover when they are accepted into the mainstream - and we are at that crossover now."
so yes, they all started as cults.
cult+numbers+time+geographical spread.
mormonism (and chrisitianity etc) really took of when they started to export it via missionaries. it ingratiated mormonism into mainstream life and went from being a cult to a world wide "accepted" religion.
scientology is following close behind. as said by someone in scientology:
"all new religions go through a period when they are thrown to the lions and persecuted. then there is the crossover when they are accepted into the mainstream - and we are at that crossover now."
so yes, they all started as cults.