The Oxford English Reference Dictionary defines a cult as:

"n. 1) a system of worship esp. as expressed in ritual 2) a devotion or homage to a person or thing"

But it does not really seem to define the point at which a religeon becomes a cult or vice versa. Is it based on size? The degree to which it controls its members?

So my question is: when does a religeon become a cult?

edit: spelling



[This message has been edited by Belphegor (edited 09-01-2004).]

Depends on who you talk to,

I have heard various people refer to Islam, and Christianity as cults. I think when the founder has been dead long enough that there is no one left who knew him. If it is still going strong after that it probably counts as a religion.

I believe it has to do with the level of fanaticism. The level of extremes that the members are willing to go to.

Though I generally see the word "cult" as having negative connotations, by the textbook definition I would have to say that Christianity, or any derivative thereof, is a cult.

As would be the Muslim religion, the LDS belief system, as well as many others.

Yeah, that's pretty much what I thought it might be - thanks for your help.

A religion is not a cult- a cult is a specialized group within a religion or worldview that concentrates on one aspect of the divine or their philosophy- the Cult of Mars, the Cult of Love, War, Birth, Music, Saint Joseph, etc etc. A cult is just a specialized group of like-minded people with the same spiritual goal and perspective. I hate when it is defined any other way.

^^^ That is one definition of a cult. It is not one that is normaly used. The more modern one is a new religion.

ie: When Hamlet says that "Alexander[The Great] could be stopping up a bunghole" Unless you are a homebrewer that probaly sounds like Alexander is in some celestial bath house. This may be a joke, I am not an expert in middle english slang. When it was written bunghole was known to be a hole in a barel. The meaning of the word cult now has basicly the same meaning as religion.

[This message has been edited by MasterPython (edited 09-01-2004).]

quote:Originally posted by Spirit of '22:

A religion is not a cult- a cult is a specialized group within a religion or worldview that concentrates on one aspect of the divine or their philosophy- the Cult of Mars, the Cult of Love, War, Birth, Music, Saint Joseph, etc etc. A cult is just a specialized group of like-minded people with the same spiritual goal and perspective. I hate when it is defined any other way.



Did you even read the definition ?

"a system of worship esp. as expressed in ritual 2) a devotion or homage to a person or thing"

Sounds like MOST religions to me !

As I said, the word "cult" is often thought of in a negative context, but by the definition, it clearly isn't.

There's nothing to defend here...so, my advice to you would be to chiiiillll.

I wasnt talking to you like it was you doing the lying, "chiiiil."

It doesn't really matter if you were speaking to me specifically or not. You ARE on a public forum, where everyone's ideals and opinions are welcome.

Me thinks cults are just people that are serious about their religion. If you believe that your book is the word of God, then follow it precisely. Don't concern yourself with interpretation.

http://www.destinychurch.org.nz

Cult.