A cult is spelled c u l t and religion is spelled r e l i g i o n
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I've studied religion extensively and see no difference at all. Cult has a more negative connotation than religion. That's all.
A cult is a group of people who have more drastic religious ideas. For example a statist cult involves sacrifice and many other things which most people do not enjoy. Basically religion is a more developped and practical thing while a cult is not.
A cult is marked by unquestioned (or "unquestionable" by implication) authority of its leader(s). It typically involves the severing of existing relationships (even immediate family and close friends) in order to join and involves the restructuring of ones whole social life. It's beliefs are in reality subordinate to the allegiance to its leader(s). Probably the most negative element of a cult is the manipulation used to gain adherents and to keep them (psychological slavery). Any "healthy" religion can certainly become a cult, even if its just within certain circles of a given religion, but a religion is understood to be void of cult qualities. Usually a cult uses a religion's set of beliefs as a front (unconsciously even) for the dark control it actually has. It's interesting that the word "cult" originally and still is used by cultural anthropologists to describe specific religions of the past and is the root word for the word "culture/cultural". Perhaps we all manipulated and controlled by out own "cult-rue"....oh, boy!!
They are very similar but a 'religion' is focused on a Higher Power of some sort usually, and not specifically on the leader alone
whereas a cult is solely focused on the leader as an all powerful 'god' figure. In fact most cults are started by megalomaniacal people (almost always men) with a desperate need to be all powerful and totally in control of every aspect of those around him. Sometimes these men use Gods name to hide behind and sometimes they claim empowerment by aliens but its really always only about themselves.
Religions present members with beliefs and ruled but members are still free to leave if they wish and form their own opinions.
Cults are into brainwashing and mind control. Members are only allowed to believe exactly what the leader teaches and have no freedom of thought or freedom of control to leave. Cults also tend to be very secretive and institute strict use of physical and mental punisments for straying from the prodigious and detailed rules.
Some religions exhibit borderline cultish qualities
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EXAMPLES:
the Amish (strict rules, shunning, banishment)
Catholics (the pope, viewing the pope as the embodiment of God on earth, strict rules, excommunication of those who dont follow their rules)
Islam (pretty obvious, esp in their control and subjugation of women, strict rules and death for anyone who violates or disagrees with those rules)
Wow, really!? If you are trying to insinuate that that is what Christianity is because there exist examples of people or groups who call themselves "Christian" stoning to death, beating with an iron rods, etc. then do I need to name the logical fallacy you're committing? If you are on the other hand referring to certain Old Testament passages then it goes back to what we've talked about earlier regarding interpretation... YOU are ill-informed (regarding what a christian teaching is in relation to any such scriptures). I mean no offense, you just seem hellbent on criticizing something you seem to have severely an inadequate understanding of. In order to provide a useful criticism (which Christianity from time to time needs) it really is critical to understand what you're criticizing. I mean it's almost laughable what you seem to be saying in your comment. Com'on now...
The Muslims that u refer as terrorists are not real Muslims too. The Catholics whose pope u slandered are not real Catholics too - so all of them like u say. You say nothing special.
I'm all open. You can challenge me anyway u can. Let's see if what u slandered against me stands the test of time.
Not sure if u care or are really open, but organic "Christianity" pre dates Islam, popes, Martin Luther, etc. It is centered in the person and message of Jesus as the Christ as being one in essence with Yahweh (God). You bringing up these religions/denominations are irrelevant to the message and purpose of Jesus. Btw, I don't so much slander Catholics or Muslims as much as I respect them.
What have I said that is false or irrelevant? Huh? To be clear, I'm not ultimately interested in "winning" any arguments, but rather wish for u and anyone to find the Love and purpose of God. You can have honest doubts and honest questions, but still seek and follow God.
If u care for honesty then my honest thought says me that bible is not a god inspired book & I hold many honest doubt as to validate my perception. And why would the other religions be not discussed in relation to Jesus or Christianity? Since all of the religion claims equal reasons, there can be no reason not to weigh them against each other. The reasons that u have to reject Moses or Mohammed, are exactly the same for me to reject Jesus.
By the way, Jesus taught nothing new. Putting aside the similarities of Confucious, Aristotle, Brahma, Buddha & many of the likes, who taught the same message as Jesus is said to have taught, we've now the information that these were taught right next door to Jesus & not too long ago of Jesus' time. Did u know about the Essenes cult & its teachings that's contemporary to jesus' time? It is evident that the relation of Jesus of the New Testament & his teachings were taken from the story of the founder of the Essene cult, The founder of the Essenes was named JESUS, and he taught the almost similar message as Jesus is said to have taught. Better yet, he's CRUCIFIED in 88 B.C.E. Isn't that amazing?
When we hear the word "cult," we often think of a group that worships Satan, sacrifices animals, or takes part in evil, bizarre, and pagan rituals. However, in reality, most cults appear much more innocent. The specific Christian definition of a cult is "a religious group that denies one or more of the fundamentals of biblical truth." In simpler terms, a cult is a group that teaches something that will cause a person to remain unsaved if he/she believes it. As distinct from a religion, a cult is a group that claims to be part of the
religion, yet denies essential truth(s) of that religion. A Christian cult is a group that denies one or more of the fundamental truths of Christianity, while still claiming to be Christian. The two most common teachings of cults are that Jesus was not God and that salvation is not by faith alone. A denial of the deity of Christ results in Jesus death not being a sufficient payment for our sins. A denial of salvation by faith alone results in salvation being achieved by our own works, something the Bible vehemently and consistently denies. http://www.gotquestions.org/cult-definition.html
The difference between a cult & a religion is only that the religion holds much more property & real estate than cults.
There is no difference, its just ussually "religions" that go around calling smaller groups "cults" since they disagree.
I think your answer has merit, btw.
