Are all religions a cult?

Postmaster · 08-19-2006, 10:24 AM

Are they?

seattlegal · 08-19-2006, 10:39 AM

I would say, "no," in light of the following quote:

Quote:

Originally Posted by James 1:26-27

26 If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless. 27 Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.

I, Brian · 08-19-2006, 12:58 PM

What's a cult?

flowperson · 08-19-2006, 02:01 PM

The first part of the word "culture" ?

flow....

arthra · 08-19-2006, 04:11 PM

The word "cult" is very loaded one in my view in certain religious communities and triggers a fear such as Jim Jones or Branch Dravidians, etc.

There are some broad sociological definitions though which include....

autocratic controlling leadership... control techniques, isolation, sleep loss, deprivation, fanatical behaviour, use of secrecy and deception.

Some make their living off "cults" by being deprogrammers...For money they'll deprogram your loved ones...

- Art

InLove · 08-19-2006, 04:24 PM

Hi, Peace--

Quote:

Originally Posted by I,Brian

What's a cult?

You want definition 1, 2 or 3?

InPeace,
InLove

I, Brian · 08-19-2006, 04:32 PM

Cult seems to be one of those words where it can be expanded to cover any general shared-belief organisation - usually thrown at religious groups, but probably also applied to secular ones.

I mean, couldn't Arthra's comments also apply to army training programs and even undergraduate physics courses?

Quote:

autocratic controlling leadership... control techniques, isolation, sleep loss, deprivation, fanatical behaviour, use of secrecy and deception.

lunamoth · 08-19-2006, 04:48 PM

Hey Postmaster! Good to see you.

lunamoth

lunamoth · 08-19-2006, 04:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by I, Brian

Cult seems to be one of those words where it can be expanded to cover any general shared-belief organisation - usually thrown at religious groups, but probably also applied to secular ones.

I mean, couldn't Arthra's comments also apply to army training programs and even undergraduate physics courses?

ROFL! Bringing back nightmares....

seattlegal · 08-19-2006, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by I, Brian

Cult seems to be one of those words where it can be expanded to cover any general shared-belief organisation - usually thrown at religious groups, but probably also applied to secular ones.

I mean, couldn't Arthra's comments also apply to army training programs and even undergraduate physics courses?

Excellent point.

Postmaster · 08-19-2006, 07:43 PM

Thanks Luna you too, been gone for while travelling all over Europe and doing a couple of weeks in Cyprus and the Greek Islands.. Back in raining England!

I'd say a cult is a club with a belief system that tries to influence you. But doesn't mean it's a negative influence.

jiii · 08-19-2006, 09:42 PM

Quote:

I'd say a cult is a club with a belief system that tries to influence you. But doesn't mean it's a negative influence.

Well, that pretty much covers every single form of organization in society...government, businesses, interest groups, families, school...ummm, the entire United States of America (LOL..."you don't have a choice...you MUST be free!"

)...and every single country in existence that has even a shred of nationalism.

Honestly, we need to narrow it down here. I mean, with the broad definition you've supplied, then yes...all religions are arguably cults. But so is your family, and your country, by those standards, because both do, in fact, try to influence your independent thoughts and beliefs with those commonly held within the group.

By those standards, all of human society is just one massive cult.

brucegdc · 08-20-2006, 12:15 AM

For fans of declension...

My faith is a religion
Your faith is a heresy
Their faith is a cult..

RubySera_Martin · 08-20-2006, 12:54 AM

If you're serious about the meaning of the word "cult," the Religious Tolerance website provides an indepth study of the word here. You have to scroll way down the page to get the "recommended definition."

Their definition agrees with what Lorne L. Dawson says who specializes in the topic. I've taken courses with him. He has also written a book Cults and New Religious Movements. Here is a bibliography on the topic that includes many of Dawson's works, plus many other authors.

It seems the words "cult" and "new religious movements" or NRMs are used interchangeably. Lorne told me it's redundent putting both terms in the title of the book but he had to so people would know what the book is about. I ended up not taking that specific course with him so I can't answer a lot of questions on it.

I attended the first class and he showed a video that upset me too much. I guess it was too similar to the religious abuse I had suffered. I discussed it with him and he recommended I drop the course. I gathered there would be more things like that.

The church I had grown up in is definitely not a new movement. It has its roots in the Reformation of the 1500s. It took its present form around the 1870s. Based on the stories I've read on sites like this where people talk about their religion I gather that it matters little what denomination it is, religious abuse can happen. Thus, I don't think we should automatically link abuse with cults.

arthra · 08-20-2006, 01:13 AM

I guess i was in the USMC "Bootcamp" cult and had first hand experience! They used to say they wanted to "brainwash" us before anyone else did.

- Art