Whats the difference between a cult and a religion?

[Zidneya]

Non-religious, especially those hostile are certainly not objective.

Non-religious aren't objective mmmm you are only repeating what you said what I'm asking is to give me a reason for that. Because if you don't my initial statement remains.

So the most impartial opinions are the ones who comes from religious people?(whichtherefore support and defend religion).
Seem to me that asking people that don't belong to neither religion nor cult provides the most impartial and rational answers.

And not all atheist are hostile. Many of the users in this forum are very nice and decent. Like for example.
Fidel_Castronaut
Coffee Jesus
Faith No More

This is evidenced by the 'all religions are cults' mantra of this topic.

Really..mm lets examine that.

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

Does Jesus judge people?
Yes
John 9:39 And Jesus said, For judgment I am come into this world.
No
John 12:47And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world.

And I found more if you want

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How much power did Jesus have?
There are some things that Jesus can't do.
Matthew 20:23 But to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father.
Jesus is all-powerful.
Matthew 28:18And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

Did Jesus bear witness of himself?
Yes
John 8:14, 18 Though I bear record of myself, yet my record is true. (v.14) I am one that bear witness of myself. (v.18)
No
John 5:31 If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true.

Did Jesus forewarn the apostles of his death and resurrection?
No
John 20:9For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead.
Yes
Matthew 20:18-19 Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be betrayed unto the chief priests and unto the scribes, and they shall condemn him to death, And shall deliver him to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify him: and the third day he shall rise again.

Was Jesus the first to rise from the dead?
Yes
cts 26:23 That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead.
No
2 Kings 13:21 And it came to pass, as they were burying a man, that, behold, they spied a band of men; and they cast the man into the sepulchre of Elisha: and when the man was let down, and touched the bones of Elisha, he revived, and stood up on his feet.

Was Joseph the father of Jesus?
Yes
Revelation 22:16 I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David.
No
Matthew 1:18 When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.

Did Jesus know everything?
Yes
John 21:17Lord, thou knowest all things.
No
Mark 13:32But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.

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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

You know have many people and conflict have been in history to separate the church from the state?

4) The group discourages or disconnects a person from their family and friends

Leviticus 19:31 Regard not them that have familiar spirits, neither seek after wizards, to be defiled by them: I am the LORD your God.
Leviticus 20:27 A man also or woman that hath a familiar spirit, or that is a wizard, shall surely be put to death: they shall stone them with stones: their blood shall be upon them.
Leviticus 20:13 If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them.
And all those punishments and word of intolerance aren't just applies to isolated members of society you know. All those member vanish and disinherited from their families for being different where the brothers of someone, the sons of someone, the mothers of someone.

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

Your Church Decides The Pros And Cons Of Social Media Use
Heres the article
http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2011...rches.html
And I'm using christian examples because you say you are catholic however if you want examples from other religions as well I can give them to you.