RE: Whats the difference between a cult and a religion?
May 16, 2014 at 2:02 am
(This post was last modified: May 16, 2014 at 2:04 am by Ryantology.)
(May 16, 2014 at 12:12 am)Last Things Wrote: The definition of cult is generally subjective. However, society generally defines them when they have:
1) A charismatic leader who is the center and absolute authority of the group. What is said one day can change the next
2) The group encourages an individual to be submissive and not exercise critical thinking. Questioning is not a good trait that leads to truth and discovery, rather it is a bad thing as it undermines the authority of the leader
3) The group absorbs all property and money of the individual
4) The group discourages or disconnects a person from their family and friends
5) The group takes away autonomy and individuality. Rather than helping the person become more independent, they become more reliant upon the group for all decisions involving their life
A cult could therefore be religious or non-religious.
I am inclined to agree, since being the member of what you describe as a cult does probably make one qualified to describe what makes a cult.
