Melkor

My definition is pretty simple:

Cult: Any religion that one does not subscribe to.


In terms of "weird" or "harm" or pure dogma or whatever, I have yet to encounter a "legitimate" religion that was any less so than those that are popularly labeled "cults"... I fail to see any distinction whatsoever.

beyelzu

I too view most religions as being cults. However, I do think that many xian sects would be considered cults if they were smaller. I once watched the seven hundred club and listened to that dipshit's definition of a cult and the only difference I could discern between xianity and a cult by his definition is that in xianity Jesus is the central figure and in cults the cult leader is.


Which, of course, isnt much of a difference to me.

Melkor

Well, to be fair, that was just my definition.

I think the general laypublic probably looks at it from a perspective of sheer numbers (members).

Because when it comes down to it, that's the only real difference between them and "legit" religions... popularity.

Slavik91

The things that make a religion a cult are:

1-Demand excessive amounts of money / time

2-Isolate current members from former members

3-The money raised goes to the leadeds, not the church in general.

And the most important:

4-You don't subscribe to it.

Triple Six

One and the same.

Though a lot of theists who will happily point the finger at other cults and call them such become strangely defensive when their own brand is (correctly) labelled as one.

-RRH-

I will go with the first two points that Slavik91 made.

Amie

do cults follow any doctrinal creeds? I seems to recall a thread at CF where that came into play at some point in a thread about the difference between cult and religion.

gosh I just looked it up in my oxfords and it sounds like most theists belong to a cult which was defined as "ritualistic religious system"

Mad Kally

thebeave

I heard Michael Shermer (editor of Skeptic magazine) explain one time that the difference between a religion and a cult is "about a hundred years". I'm sure Christianity was considered cultish in its early years, and now look at it. A similar thing is happening with Mormonism. Certainly it was a cult at one time, but I would say it is pretty much mainstream religion now. My Gawd, we even have members of Congress who are Mormon!

Psycho Economist

Try again. Occult meaning the practices were hidden, not that they were mystical. I was just showing off the similar word roots. Sheesh. Anyone can walk into a Catholic, Jewish or (I imagine) Pagan ceremonies and simply spectate.