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Yeah, but what isn't? Even with the most mainstream and traditional of religions, that's sort of the case.
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No one told me I couldn't survive on my own apart from protestant fundamentalism, but there were subtle messages implying this that were pretty much constant. Not the least of which is the "I'm nothing without God" false humility meme.
I'd say that it's when it becomes, "And God hates everybody but us" that the group crosses the line from religion (even fundamentalist) to cult.
True, but what I meant was that, for the rank and file members, access to information not approved by the group's leadership is pretty strictly monitored. A cult member would probably not be encouraged to join an interfaith discussion group, for instance, because -- heaven forbid -- his mind might be poisoned by ideas that conflict with the cult's.
Very true. I had a few non-religious cults in mind when I made that post.
A Cult is any group that disagrees with a persons beliefs.
To Jews Christianity was a Cult.
To Catholics Mormon's are.
To Baptists 7th Day are
and on and on...
The use of the term of any group is used to sway an argument where no real evdience exists to counter an argument presented. basically an ad hominem attack showing the one using the term has no real answer to the point they are trying to refute.
That is merely the misuse of the term as a pejorative one - the Romans called Christians atheists once. But that does not mean there are no atheists. It is hard enough to agree what a cult is (and Katz has a good example with control - and the idea of controlling ideas if not being able to control people - is pretty common in all religions) without dragging "I am the truth, you are a religion, they are a cult" thinking into it.
That is merely the misuse of the term as a pejorative one - the Romans called Christians atheists once. But that does not mean there are no atheists.
Who would think so?
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Originally Posted by AREQUIPA
It is hard enough to agree what a cult is
Yes, because a cult is simply a culture with tenants. Many associations do not desire to be labeled a cult or religion.
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Originally Posted by AREQUIPA
(and Katz has a good example with control - and the idea of controlling ideas if not being able to control people - is pretty common in all religions) without dragging "I am the truth, you are a religion, they are a cult" thinking into it.
It's pretty common in any person/group who seeks control.
I'd say that it's when it becomes, "And God hates everybody but us" that the group crosses the line from religion (even fundamentalist) to cult.
Mine effectively claimed that god liked us best. Does that count?
It's hard to draw hard and firm lines that unambiguously get crossed or don't get crossed, and where the lines themselves are not somewhat arbitrary.
That is why I have a tendency to call religion, religion. Calling out a group as a "cult" is ultimately expressing nothing more than my personal opinion that they are especially "extreme" in some way. And people may understand "cult" differently than I intended to convey anyway. It also denies more moderate theists the luxury of distancing themselves from their own crazies.
That is merely the misuse of the term as a pejorative one - the Romans called Christians atheists once. But that does not mean there are no atheists. It is hard enough to agree what a cult is (and Katz has a good example with control - and the idea of controlling ideas if not being able to control people - is pretty common in all religions) without dragging "I am the truth, you are a religion, they are a cult" thinking into it.
The word "Cult" has a broad meaning and is used regularly as a pejorative.
Now I use a narrow version of it.
1. ONE human leader
2. Do it his way or you are out
3. Rarely meet in more than one church/building, etc.
4. Separate physically from society by re-locating to a location away from most people.
A good example was in Waco with David Koresh. That was a Cult.
Calling Mormon's, 7th Day and others is just a pejorative use of the word.
The word "Cult" has a broad meaning and is used regularly as a pejorative.
Now I use a narrow version of it.
1. ONE human leader
2. Do it his way or you are out
3. Rarely meet in more than one church/building, etc.
4. Separate physically from society by re-locating to a location away from most people.
A good example was in Waco with David Koresh. That was a Cult.
One more thing that nobody has really mentioned so far. True cults tend to fizzle out once their leader dies since he is really the focus of everyone's worship, more than the group's doctrines. There may be exceptions to this rule, but it's generally a pretty reliable factor.
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Calling Mormon's, 7th Day and others is just a pejorative use of the word.
Definitely. And the guilty parties do so intentionally and not out of ignorance.
The word "Cult" has a broad meaning and is used regularly as a pejorative.
Now I use a narrow version of it.
1. ONE human leader
2. Do it his way or you are out
3. Rarely meet in more than one church/building, etc.
4. Separate physically from society by re-locating to a location away from most people.
A good example was in Waco with David Koresh. That was a Cult.
Calling Mormon's, 7th Day and others is just a pejorative use of the word.
We weren't physically separated, but I was "highly encouraged" to not talk to anyone except church members unless you were inviting them to church. Couldn't read religious books, listen to any other sermons by other churches, attend any other church function that wasn't our church. It was pretty isolating. I think after reading these responses, I was definitely in a cult! Good thing I saw through the lies in only 2 years and didn't devote my whole life to that place.
We weren't physically separated, but I was "highly encouraged" to not talk to anyone except church members unless you were inviting them to church. Couldn't read religious books, listen to any other sermons by other churches, attend any other church function that wasn't our church. It was pretty isolating. I think after reading these responses, I was definitely in a cult! Good thing I saw through the lies in only 2 years and didn't devote my whole life to that place.
outside influences can create doubt for some with weak minds when there is no reason for doubt. this is why you stick with your herd
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I think after reading these responses, I was definitely in a cult! Good thing I saw through the lies in only 2 years and didn't devote my whole life to that place.
