Whats the difference between a cult and a religion?

[Rampant.A.I.]

Cult is to religion as puppy is to dog.

This. /thread.

The popular definition for "cult" is "group of people sharing a culturally normative set of odd beliefs," whereas the definition of "cult" is "a group of people who share a set of uncommon beliefs."

A cult's beliefs only become normative the longer they're in operation and the more believers they amass.

If Scientology has originated several thousand years ago, and had become as culturally pervasive as Christianity is now, their beliefs would seem normative.

The only reason the "cult" designator seems to apply to Scientology is their belief system is outside the cultural norm.

That's it. As atheists, this should be a recognizable difference.

There's nothing more absurd in the doctrine of Scientology than there is in Christianity, the only difference is Christian beliefs seem more mundane because of their pervasiveness.

[Godlesspanther]

Ehh one question is this an example of a cult



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sukyo_Mahikari

Because I have an acquaintance that believes an goes to this thing. AND I WOULD BE OKAY IF HE HADN'T TRIED TRO DRAG ME INTO THAT AS WELL

I assume that it was a cult because the people there said that if I let the light and the cosmic energy enter in my I would never get sick ever again in my life.

But since I don't know what that organization is I thought it was worth asking.

Promise that you will never get sick again? Nobody can promise anyone that. It's a cult. It won't hurt you to go to just one meeting so they can't say "don't reject it without knowing anything about it."

[psychoslice]

Yep your right, and that is why I am sticking to what I have said.

Except what you said is factually incorrect.

You don't like me do you, its Ok I like you and that sweet little thing in your arms.

[Zidneya]

Promise that you will never get sick again? Nobody can promise anyone that. It's a cult. It won't hurt you to go to just one meeting so they can't say "don't reject it without knowing anything about it."

I did went to a meeting that's when they said that. I entered, They gave me a first visitor pass, the moment I put it everyone turned and started to ask me questions and congratulate me(I dunno why). I made a reverence to some weird paint. I waited my turn for the healer. I passed with him, he told what I just told you, then he said that I need to be sited like 40 minutes while he imbued the cosmic light(He simply stood with his arm rise up in the air the whole time saying some thing that I couldn't hear with his eyes closed) into me. And the whole time I had an itch that I wanted to scratch but they said I shouldn't move. Then he finished they asked me for money. Y went to the niche downstairs because they said that theres where I need to deposit the money. They yelled at me, saying that it was rude leaving the room without saying goodbye to everyone in the room first. So I went back I had to apologize with everyone, then make another reverence to that paint, then I left. And then I throw a couple of coins into the niche and I left that place. And I had to hear the guy who dragged me into that the whole way home of how he felt so liberated and relieved.

[Jackalope]

Political influence.

/thread

[MJ the Skeptical]

Religions don't want to admit they're large cults and Cults don't want to admit they're Mini-religions.

In my experience nobody wants to admit that the group that they belong to is a cult. In my experience the more adamantly they deny it, the more of a cult member they really are.

Scientologists are notorious for that childish stubborn denial that they belong to a cult. And if you want to see some really angry people -- find some ex-scientologists. Those folks are PISSED.

Right, cult is such a diry word. But religion has become such a dirty word that plenty of religions don't want to be called a religion either.

Have you heard those post-modernist type christians who say it's not a religion, it's a relationship.

[MJ the Skeptical]

Rational, skeptical people are always willing to rethink things.

Yep your right, and that is why I am sticking to what I have said.

This proves that you're not willing to rethink things or stay skeptical of yourself at all times.

[Clueless Morgan]

To be fair, though, how many matches to they have to hit on the 100 items list in order to fully qualify as a cult? 100%? 80%? 60%? Or merely >50%?

I'd say over half would be good enough. If an organization meets more than half of those criteria then, it would be a really fucked up organization and I would call it a cult.

Maybe only getting 50-60% of the 100 item list would only qualify you as a religion, granted a really fucked up religion, but a religion that is never the less not as cult-ish as it could be.

Or maybe scoring around the 50% mark means it's merely a slightly less dangerous cult than one that scores closer to the 90% mark...

[Last Things]

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.

[Tea Earl Grey Hot]

A cult is to religion what a tadpole is to a frog.