JW's, Sccientologists, Moonies.. when does a cult become a religion?

[cyberpi]

Originally Posted by Tao_Equus

Well dont fret buddy, you can always buy some viagra.

Don't confuse the pen for a pencil. The permanence is in that the mistakes are never really erased... only forgiven.

Originally Posted by Tao_Equus

Again all you are really doing here is playing with words in avoidance of the tenet of what I am saying. But in your final statement the experiment has been my life to date. All I have seen, experienced and debated on is my experiment. I suggest that you wish to demean that in order to prop up what you find in faith because it suggests that your faith is futile. I do not say that out of any malice or need to score a point but because it is my belief given the evidence, or lack of it.

Whether you believe that God exists or not, I am merely pointing out flaws in your scientific method due to a 'reified' notion of proof or prove. There is no word play... I have studied math and science and I make use of what I have learned as an engineer. The method of proving that you have stated is flawed.

My relationship with God exists whether or not you believe it or not. Despite your words, I predict there may be a day that you see God's activity and relationship with you in this world, because there was equally a day when I did not.

Originally Posted by Tao_Equus

Why do i have the feeling that what you do not say here is what I really want to know?

Then what do you really want to know?

[gp1628]

"A cult is a religion with no political power." - Thomas Wolfe

"The only difference between a cult and a religion is the amount of real estate they own." - Frank Zappa

"Whats a cult? It just means not enough people to make a minority." - Robert Altman

"...one person's cult is another's religion; all religions begin life as cults. An alternative definition is that a cult is a religion which you happen to dislike." - Anthony Campbell

"Cult is a word without much use outside the realm of religious mudslinging." - Philip Kennicott

"When someone uses the word 'cult,' it usually says more about them than the group," - J. Gordon Melton, founder and director of The Institute for the Study of American Religion.

"Cults:" from benign groups to homicidal sects

According to the Bonewit's Cult Danger Evaluation checksheet, I had more trouble with the Baptists than the scientologists. But I guess its for everyone to test for themselves.
The Advanced Bonewits' Cult Danger Evaluation Frame