Frank Goad
Well-Known Member
Do you think Christianity is a cult?Yes or no?And why or why not? No.For me.Because I am Methodist.And I was literally raised Christian.But was baptized at 18.And became Methodist.Because that is were my heart lead me.
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Do you think Christianity is a cult?Yes or no?And why or why not?
- Thread starter Frank Goad
- Start date
Sand Dancer
Currently catless
I think some denominations are cultish. Take the Church of Christ: They think they are the original church of Jesus and are the only ones who will be in heaven.Do you think Christianity is a cult?Yes or no?And why or why not? No.For me.Because I am Methodist.And I was literally raised Christian.But was baptized at 18.And became Methodist.Because that is were my heart lead me.
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Some of the many different denominations/sects of Christianity are cults
Twilight Hue
Twilight, not bright nor dark, good nor bad.
It meets the very definition of a cult.Do you think Christianity is a cult?Yes or no?And why or why not? No.For me.Because I am Methodist.And I was literally raised Christian.But was baptized at 18.And became Methodist.Because that is were my heart lead me.
Wildswanderer
Veteran Member
No... it's the predominant religion in the entire world.
Sand Dancer
Currently catless
"A religion or religious sect generally considered to be extremist or false, with its followers often living in an unconventional manner under the guidance of an authoritarian, charismatic leader."
None of the definitions had number of adherents as important. With so many denominations, it's hard to judge the whole religion. I don't think it can be just yes or just no answer.
Do you think Christianity is a cult?Yes or no?And why or why not? No.For me.Because I am Methodist.And I was literally raised Christian.But was baptized at 18.And became Methodist.Because that is were my heart lead me.
A better question to ask is, what is a cult?
It is as ill defined as the word "religion" is.
The word 'cult' can have a different meanings. Negative cults involve an authoritarian and manipulative leader, often separation from family & society and belief that the members are special for their beliefs. In addition there is a fear of questioning the beliefs because of reprisals. The Simpson's "Joy of Sect" episode is what I'm thinking of as a classic example.
From this there can be religious cults, political cults and even doomsday cults. But Christianity per se is not a cult.
I don't disagree with this per se, but the rest I am hesitant on.
Where do we draw the line from positive/"right" - negative/"wrong" cultic influence?
What definition of "Cult" addresses both extremes of cultic behaviour?
rational experiences
Veteran Member
The temple origin cult was Satanism...evil science.
Family groups in healer church was medical science versus conversion attack of life by the destroyer.
As science returned in governed life already controlled by religious dogma was how cult behaviours were introduced as new ideas in healer orders.
How governing became a religious topic.
The review human mis behaviour coercion threat was always before science or religion. Why we say you do an assessment of the group's activity. To determine a cult today.
Family groups in healer church was medical science versus conversion attack of life by the destroyer.
As science returned in governed life already controlled by religious dogma was how cult behaviours were introduced as new ideas in healer orders.
How governing became a religious topic.
The review human mis behaviour coercion threat was always before science or religion. Why we say you do an assessment of the group's activity. To determine a cult today.
Wildswanderer
Veteran Member
Unconventional can mean anything you want it to mean, therefore it's a meaningless statement.
Viker
Your beloved eccentric Auntie Cristal
The BITE model may be useful to determine if you're in a cult or not. The Influence Continuum demonstrates the structure of cults or not.
Steven Hassan's BITE Model of Authoritarian Control
Influence Continuum
Steven Hassan's BITE Model of Authoritarian Control
Influence Continuum
The Kilted Heathen
Crow FreyjasmaðR
As a whole? No, it's too large.
As various denominations? No, they're too large.
Bubba Gump's Snake Handlin' Holy Rollers down about three miles outside Paris, AR? Absolutely.
As various denominations? No, they're too large.
Bubba Gump's Snake Handlin' Holy Rollers down about three miles outside Paris, AR? Absolutely.
One neutral characteristic to me is veneration and devotion directed toward a particular figure or object.
The East has a concept of of a spiritual figure called by various names such as guru, pir and murshid. Separating a true teacher from frauds and misguided individuals can be hard.
Reversing the negative traits, the leader of a positive cult would not be authoritarian or manipulative, would not tell members they're special, encourage people to use their minds, not engage in threats and reprisals, not manipulate people because of lust & greed.
No modern religion is free from all of these.
Father Heathen
Veteran Member
It's been said that the difference between a religion and a cult is the size of membership.
Father Heathen
Veteran Member
What criteria determines whether or not something is Christian?