cults?

[Vinayaka]

I think 'cult' is just one of those words that is tossed around because it has a negative connotation. For some people in some contexts it doesn't even have a negative connotation. For example within Hinduism, the 'cult' of Murugan is just another name for the group Murugan bhaktars. http://www.palanitemples.com/english/muruga_cultspecial.htm

It's a bit like the word 'terrorist'. Some 'terrorists' are 'freedom fighters' to others. But when a word gets this negative connotation attached to it, any detractors will bandy it about like some crazy new fad.

 

[Levite]

I consider the following to be cults. Does anyone know about them and consder them to be cults as well?

Demonolatry
Luciferianism
Satanism
Setianism
Creativity Movement
Church of Jesus Christ - Christian
Kingdom Identity Ministries
La Porte Church of Christ
The Covenant, th Sword, and the Arm of the Lord
Revival Centres International
Revival Fellowship
Worldwide Church of God
Aum Shinrikyo
al Qaeda
Brach Davidians
Heaven's Gate
Thuggees
Mankind United
People's Temple
Synanon
Manson Family
Church of the Lamb of God
MOVE
Ant Hill Kids
Nation of Yahweh
Jeffrey Lundgren
Order of the Solar Temple
Movement for the Restoration of the Ten Commandments
Christian Fundamentalism
Jewish Fundamentalism
Islamic Fundamentalism
Hindu Fundamentalism
Juche
Raëlism
Reconstructionist Judaism
Humanistic Judaism
Discordianism
"Ethical" Culture
Fellowship of "Reason"
Deism
Secular Humanism
Atheism/Materialism

Well, first of all, though I heartily loathe fundamentalism, as all here know, I don't think one can just label all fundamentalist religion "cults." To my mind, at least, a cult is a pseudo-religious movement led by one or more charismatics, using the structure of religious teaching in order to gain power and/or wealth and/or other kinds of gain from those who are part of the cult, without legitimate or sincere religious ideals. Also, in many if not most cults, there is a compulsion to remain part of the community.

I know a lot of Haredim (fundamentalist Jews) who really see themselves as trying to live good lives, and draw closer to God, and who don't have any particular charismatic leader to whom they give unswerving obedience. And while there may be considerable social pressure to remain Haredi, it usually does not amount to actual compulsion (although the cases where it does are widely known, especially in Israel).

Also, Reconstructionist Judaism is certainly not a cult! It does not follow charismatic leaders, and it is extremely pluralistic and tolerant. I may not agree with their theology, but there is certainly no compulsion involved in the movement.

Likewise, Humanistic Judaism is also not a cult. I personally think it is a ridiculous movement. But it is not a cult.

And Deism certainly is not a cult! It isn't even really organized. It's more just a religious philosophy.

Secular Humanism and Atheism are also not cults. I don't agree with their philosophies, but they are not cults. They're simply philosophical movements-- and loosely organized ones, if organized at all.

Likewise, I think "Satanism" is too broad a spectrum of beliefs to label it entirely as "cult." I've known some Satanists, and they were okay. I think their theology was kind of ridiculous, but they didn't appear to be part of any cult.

Plus, where is Scientology on this list of cults? They actually fit the term well: a pseudo-religious movement, run by charismatic leaders, preying on the followers for their own gain, using compulsion to keep the unwilling part of the cult.

 

[Drolefille]

I'm kind of curious about the OP's motivations as this is not the only post of a huge list of religious groups with a request for more information. I mean, google is useful at some point, but this cannot be the best way for the OP to learn whatever it is the OP wants to learn.

 

[Gjallarhorn]

so atheist follow and worship satan...but satanist do not and both are a cult?

If you're not for them you're against them. "Onward Christian soldiers..."

 

[Twilight Hue]

I'm kind of curious about the OP's motivations as this is not the only post of a huge list of religious groups with a request for more information. I mean, google is useful at some point, but this cannot be the best way for the OP to learn whatever it is the OP wants to learn.

Agreed as there is no feedback and further dialog by way of several different inquiries he's made thus far. I'm starting to think it's a mild form of trolling rather than an honest inquiry seeking out opinions.

 

[ForeverFaithful]

From dictionary.reference.com, we have.....
cult

1.a particular system of religious worship, especially with reference to its rites and ceremonies.
2.an instance of great veneration of a person, ideal, or thing, especially as manifested by a body of admirers: the physical fitness cult.
3.the object of such devotion.
4.a group or sect bound together by veneration of the same thing, person, ideal, etc.
5.Sociology . a group having a sacred ideology and a set of rites centering around their sacred symbols.

Many of your items listed don't even remotely fit this definition.

As per Def 1 I guess all World Religions are cults then

 

[Reverend Rick]

As per Def 1 I guess all World Religions are cults then

I think the term is used too loosely mostly to condem someone who believes differently.

 

[nnmartin]

a lot of Christian Denominations are called cults by other demoninations, some of them major organisations.

for example I've seen The Catholic and Seventh Day Adventist churches labeled as cults on various websites.

It seems to be a very widely and misused term these days.

How about Paganism - often refered to as a cult yet has been around for thousands of years.

 

[Gaura Priya]

Who knew that Humanistic Judaism was a cult! O_O

 

[Heathen Hammer]

How about Paganism - often refered to as a cult yet has been around for thousands of years.

The word 'paganism' isn't indicative of a single religion, but a blanket term essentially meaning anything not of the Abrahamic faiths. It can be any one of a thousand+ actual religions. Some ancient, some modern.

 

[nnmartin]

ok that's true - often hear the term 'Pagan cult' though.

or Wiccan witch cult etc..

 

[Heathen Hammer]

Right, but it's simply an indicator; kind of contrasting that it isn't one of the Abrahamic ones.

IMO it's silly to even make the distinction, but, Christians wanted to be different so, they started the dichotomy

It's all cults, all the way down

 

[Iti oj]

The word 'paganism' isn't indicative of a single religion, but a blanket term essentially meaning anything not of the Abrahamic faiths. It can be any one of a thousand+ actual religions. Some ancient, some modern.

thats what the cult leaders want you to think.

 

[Sylvan]

thats what the cult leaders want you to think.

:bat:

Always wanted an excuse to use the evil smilie. :witch:

 

[jasonwill2]

Satan of course.

Why do people satire around like this when there really is atheists who are Satanists too? (looks at the Church of Satan).

so atheist follow and worship satan...but satanist do not and both are a cult?

Lol. Depends on what kind of Satanism you are talking about. But yes, it is silly to say that atheists worship Satan, especially when many Satanists do not even see Satan as a literal entity.

Likewise, I think "Satanism" is too broad a spectrum of beliefs to label it entirely as "cult." I've known some Satanists, and they were okay. I think their theology was kind of ridiculous, but they didn't appear to be part of any cult.

Ya, us Satanists, especially the LaVeyans, just want to be human and enjoy human emotions and have a good time while we still can. After a hard day at work eating a nice and big hearty meal or having a fun time with anything from video games to football counts as "indulgence instead of abstinence." We just want to make the most out of life, we just make it dark and edgy is all. An eye for an eye is also part of being human too, so it gets wider than just hedonism in many forms of Satanism. Then other forms of Satanism all-together take a much more spiritual angle, but still have some concept of eye for an eye and indulgence instead of abstinence.

The word 'paganism' isn't indicative of a single religion, but a blanket term essentially meaning anything not of the Abrahamic faiths. It can be any one of a thousand+ actual religions. Some ancient, some modern.

I thought it was a term for pre-Christian religions, and that "neo-pagan" or just Pagan with a capital P were revivals of various versions/new interpretations of said pre-Christian religions.

:bat:

Always wanted an excuse to use the evil smilie. :witch:

HAIL SATAN!

 

[Viker]

:bat:

Always wanted an excuse to use the evil smilie. :witch:

Nice pic.

AVE!

 

[cablescavenger]

Satan of course.

eejit
An atheist worships no one, and is furthest from cult to anything on the list.
Religions are cults.

 

[jasonwill2]

Technically speaking, a cult is any new or small religion that is fringe. Christianity used to be a cult before it got bigger.

The annotation of cult is not negative, but because people use it as an insult, it has gained a really bad connotation.

 

[Trey of Diamonds]

I'm just surprised to see such a long list of "cults" without Wicca on it. lol

Me too, and where is Unitarian Universalism? Don't we rate?

For me, a cult is a group that doesn't allow its converts any interaction with the rest of the world. Folks can believe whatever crazy idea they want as long as they have the freedom to change their mind and move on to the next crazy idea.

 

[nnmartin]

agreed - I think the UU should be in the list for sure as they send out the crazy message that you can be a religious atheist - strange huh....