Are all religions cults?

[Angrboda]

I don't necessarily know the correct distinction to make. Many argue the distinction is simply a matter of size of following. Others suggest that the divergence from mainstream religious opinions and practices characterizes a cult. Regardless, I think that an important distinction needs to be made between a group of religious followers whose faith and devotion is invested in a doctrine or a belief, and those who are invested in the personality and utterances of a person or small group of people. Thus, the Ananda Marga religion which Little Rik follows would, while P.R. Sarkar was alive, likely have tended more toward a cult than a religion. It also allows one to make meaningful distinctions in non-religious areas as well. China's gang of four would then be considered a cult. And Kim Jong Il and Kim Il Sung, regardless of their religious claims, would have been considered cult leaders. The question becomes somewhat tricky when it comes to the Judeo-Christian religions. Judaism is largely a belief in doctrines and a supreme God rather than a leader or person. Christianity can go either way. Christianity has a large investiture in doctrines and beliefs, yet it is also centered on the worship of their founder, Jesus Christ, and slavish adherence to his opinions. Likewise, Islam exhibits a strong doctrinal component, yet is slavishly devoted to its founder. It's a matter of judgement, I suppose, as all religions typically come from the sayings or writings of a small few or single person. I think that as long as the followers remain focused on worship and reverence and obedience toward a leader or charismatic figure, rather than devotion to the ideas expressed by that person, then they are more of a cult than less of one. It then becomes a matter of degree, rather than an all or nothing attribute.