What is a cult?

thehouses

Some people brand Christianity a cult - what defines a cult for you?

Is there an accepted definition of the term, or do people use it loosely perhaps to support preconceived ideas? Are there any Christian books or Church documents that deal with this question that spring to mind?

My question was prompted by a recent thread (see http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=87335581) where some people were describing Christianity as a cult.

I hope I am posting this in the right section - it is a Christian apologetics question.

Onesimus

I always thought a cult was someone who lived in the country.

maguffin

thehouses wrote: »

Some people brand Christianity a cult - what defines a cult for you?

Is there an accepted definition of the term, or do people use it loosely perhaps to support preconceived ideas? Are there any Christian books or Church documents that deal with this question that spring to mind?

My question was prompted by a recent thread (see http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=87335581) where some people were describing Christianity as a cult.

I hope I am posting this in the right section - it is a Christian apologetics question.

Well, it is defined in the Oxford Dictionary as follows:

noun

• 1a system of religious veneration and devotion directed towards a particular figure or object: example - the cult of St Olaf
• a relatively small group of people having religious beliefs or practices regarded by others as strange or as imposing excessive control over members:a network of Satan-worshipping cults
• a misplaced or excessive admiration for a particular thing:the cult of the pursuit of money as an end in itself

• 2a person or thing that is popular or fashionable among a particular group or section of society:the series has become a bit of a cult in the UK [as modifier]:a cult film

Origin:


early 17th century (originally denoting homage paid to a divinity): from French culte or Latin cultus 'worship', from cult- 'inhabited, cultivated, worshipped', from the verb colere


So, from that definition and Origin, I would say that Christianity (and other world religions) can be defined in terms of being 'cults' to a lesser or greater degree. (no disrespect is intended or implied in this response)

leonil7

anyone can term everyone else as belonging to a cult. but the word is actually new, mostly described in its social behavior (e.g. a controlling environment, end-time mindset, etc..)

however based on a christian perspective, it is simply understood as an entity that teaches and promotes a false gospel. in the words of paul, 'a different gospel' [Gal 1:8,9]

on this basis, the term cult is defined in terms of how it differentiates from the gospel the apostles preach.

for example, i would with no second thought describe those groups who promote or teach salvation is achieved by good works as cults because it is not the gospel. or i would for instance describe those groups who say jesus christ was just a man, or a created being as a 'cult' simply because it is not what the apostle taught, believed and declared.

they might be described in the way they behave, but it is also in what they believe.

homer911

Its hard to define a cult, generally cults are associated with exercising control over an individual - Mike Garde over on Dialogue Ireland talks in terms of Cultism..

worth a read..

http://dialogueireland.wordpress.com/about/cultism/

thehouses

Thanks for your replies, they are very insightful. The dialogueireland article seems to have plenty of excellent information.

For me cults are based around the idea of control. They use a number of means which cause physical or psychological harm (e.g. indoctrination, separation from family and friends). They are built around a "charismatic" leader who seeks to control others. They are inwardlooking and have unusual beliefs which often result in them self-destructing. Members may be experiencing a void in their lives.

I agree with maguffin, there are certain aspects of cults which religions have. However, Christianity contrasts with cults as control is subordinate to free will, it seeks not to cause harm but to spread the gospel message of love. Additionally it is a religion which is over 2,000 years old and helps people find real meaning in their lives.

Benny_Cake

Not much point in rehashing the dictionary definition of a cult - in current English people use it mainly in relation to controversial religious groups (Scientology and so on). The Rick Ross website defines a cult as having the following three characteristics:

A charismatic leader, who increasingly becomes an object of worship as the general principles that may have originally sustained the group lose power.

A process [is in use] call[ed] coercive persuasion or thought reform.

Economic, sexual, and other exploitation of group members by the leader and the ruling coterie.

That seems like a possible starting point at defining a set of characteristic that groups commonly described as "cults" possess. Can this be said about Christianity? Clearly, no, as Christianity as a whole is diverse and lacks a centralised authority which could control or exploit Christians. That said, there are certainly Christian groups, or groups describing themselves as Christian which possess some of those characteristics. The International Church of Christ, the Exclusive Brethren, and the Children of God / Family would be some examples.

I'm a bit wary when people try to declare a group a cult based purely on their beliefs, it's a pretty slippery slope. It's far better to look at the actions of an individual or group.

Turtwig

Onesimus wrote: »

I always thought a cult was someone who lived in the country.

Banned.

:pac:

Philope

I like cult movies, does that count ?

COYW

I am reading a book on cults at the moment, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cults_in_Our_Midst. One defining point that people here have missed is that they are deceptive. The recruitment people uses stress tests, personal improvement courses etc as a facade and their real motives do not come to the fore until the candidate has spent a significant amount of time within the cult, whether it is a live-in cult or not.

Christianity isn't a cult for this very reason alone.

newmug

COYW wrote: »

I am reading a book on cults at the moment, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cults_in_Our_Midst. One defining point that people here have missed is that they are deceptive. The recruitment people uses stress tests, personal improvement courses etc as a facade and their real motives do not come to the fore until the candidate has spent a significant amount of time within the cult, whether it is a live-in cult or not.

Christianity isn't a cult for this very reason alone.

Exactly. A cult has to have some detrimental element to its members, which they are unaware of at the start, but come to realise over time to such an extent, that they completely reverse their views and try to leave. Another aspect to cults is that they always try to stop their members from leaving, either by the threat of character assassination, or through physical violence. None of these things apply to Christianity, or indeed to any mainstream religions.

leonil7

'cult' photos to look at ; http://news.yahoo.com/photos/inside-the-cult-of-maria-lionza-slideshow/

COYW

leonil7 wrote: »

'cult' photos to look at ; http://news.yahoo.com/photos/inside-the-cult-of-maria-lionza-slideshow/

Pic #9 is insanely intense.