Should we just use the term Christian cult?
484534
There are certainly enough cults that claim to be Christian, including all of fundamentalism in my opinion.  \n\nI think we are far too shy about using the word "cult" when its appropriate.  For a group of people to consider themselves Christians when they accept the verbal inspiration of the Bible is a joke, whether they are Jehovah's Witnesses or Southern Baptists.  The book speaks for itself and clearly establishes itself as a book of myths, lies, and fairy tales.  \n\nChristianity relates to the worship of Jesus Christ as the son-of-god and Saviour -- not to biblio-idolatry.\n\nThank you for pointing it out, whether or not inadvertently.\n\nRegards,\n\nReynolds C. Jones\nSchenectady, NY\nhttp://www.rebuff.org\nbelieveinyou24@yahoo.com
398479
what kind of cult are you looking to view.  There are a lot out there.  I know that there was a church in Dallas that went to a cult view and praises the Devil now.  Is that really what you want to do?  Think about it because it will only make your life more turbulent.
161210
First let me say that I agree with you whole-heartedly.  In fact your example word is a good one, and if this is a site for 13 + year olds, I cannot see why it should be *'ed out.\nI tend to agree with Lenny Bruce.  S M U T is in the mind of the beholder.  Yet since Victorian times, our society has taken the view that what you do and say in private should never be reflected in public.  So we end up with priests who abuse young boys and book thumpers who swoon at the thought of the word phuck.\nSo I have to write about Richard Chaney and call a male chicken a rooster.  All because some see themselves as better than those of us common people who use common (vulgar does mean common) words.\nI understand why Yahoo does what it does.  The last thing it needs is a group of politically power fanatics stomping their cyberbutts for allowing crude language.\nYet Mary did ride an ass into Bethlehem.  And Peter did deny knowing Christ three times before the cock crowed.  And Noah did know his daughters and none of this is bleeped out of their Bibles.\nOkay, we try to watch our potty-mouths, but sometime bending over backwards to avoid offending someone is not the best way to become closer to Divinity.\nAny by the way, outside of direct reference in prayer, the use of the name G_d is still a sin, even if quoted by a so-called righteous person in an argument.
571811
Yes I agree completely.  Christianity is just a dangerous weapon used by leaders for power and control.
271851
The following is cut and pasted from the source listed at the bottom:\n\nEvangelical Christian and Counter-Cult Movement  usage: Any religious group which accepts most but not all of the historical Christian doctrines (the divinity of Jesus, virgin birth, the Trinity, salvation, etc.). The implication is that the cult's theology is invalid; they teach heresy. Under this definition, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the Mormons), Unification Church and Jehovah's Witnesses to be cults. But they would not classify Wicca as such, because it is not associated with Christianity. The earliest use of this meaning of the word "Cult" is believed to be a 1938 book "The Chaos of the Cults" by  J.K. VanBaalen. On the other hand, new religious groups such as the Mormons, Unification Church and Jehovah's Witnesses generally regard themselves to be the true Christian church. They view all other denominations as being in error. Thus, one groups true church is another group's cult.\n\nFundamentalist Christian usage: Some Fundamentalists would accept the Evangelical definition of cult defined above. Others might brand any religious group which deviates from historical Protestant Christian beliefs as a cult. This definition would include the Mormon Church, Wicca, mainline and liberal Christian denominations, Islam, Hinduism, and all of the other religions of the world. Over 70% of humanity would belong to cults, by this definition.
711004
A cult of Christianity is a group of people, which claiming to be Christian, embraces a particular doctrine system taught by an individual leader, group of leaders, or organization, which (system) denies  one or more of the central doctrines of the Christian Faith as taught in the sixty-six books of the Bible
188097
all religions are 'cults'. christians just forget to list themselves under that catagory. history tells us of all the wacky things they've done to other humans- witch trials, spanish armada, converting the native americans
1005780
Any church can be considered a cult.  It's a very subjective term.
759095
A cult is not a religion, but an aspect or character of a religion.\n\nCult expert Carol Giambalvo quotes from psychologists West & Langone, who give the following definition: \n\n"A cult is a group or movement exhibiting a great or excessive devotion or dedication to some person, idea, or thing and employing unethically manipulative techniques of persuasion and control (e.g., isolation from former friends and family, debilitation, use of special methods to heighten suggestibility and subservience, powerful group pressures, Information management, suspension of individuality or critical judgment, promotion of total dependency on the group and fear of leaving it, etc.) designed to advance the goals of the group's leaders to the actual or possible detriment of members, their families, or the community." (West & Langone. 1986).\n\nWhy are Cults a Problem?\nGod has given everyone a free will. Cults by their manipulative techniques, weaken a person's will. \n\nCults are a danger to their members because: \nCults create a dependency that gets harder to break the longer one is associated with the cult. Proof of this is that once someone has been removed from the cult, and has been told how dangerous it is, they will fight to return to the cult, because they feel "safe" there. \nCult members can be asked to do anything to themselves, and will even commit suicide to please the cult leader. \n\nCults are a danger to people outside the cult because: \nCult members can be asked to do anything to others, and will commit any crime, including murder and robbery, to please the cult leader. \nThus cults are a menace to everyone, even those who are not cult members.\n\nCultism is completely at odds with Christianity. A cult can claim the name "Christian" (like the Children of God from the 70's) but that doesn t mean it is.
684100
Yes its a cult! If you are in it. Get out as soon as you can.
356117
groups like the Mormons and Jehovah's Witnesses object to the label "cult" because it often gets an emotional reaction as well as is a label they want to avoid.\n   The definition I use (and other Christian ministries and theologians use as well) for "non-Christian cult" or "non-Christian religion" is a group that may or may not include the Bible in its set of authoritative scriptures. If it does include the Bible, it distorts the true biblical doctrines that effect salvation sufficiently so as to void salvation.1  If it doesn't use the Bible, it is a non-Christian religion and does not participate in the benefit of divine revelation.\n     In Christian bookstores, there are almost always 'cult' sections which include the Mormons, Jehovah's Witnesses, etc.
115632
Yes.\nReligion is just another political group with figure heads representing its constituants.\n\nall ideas should be questioned.  especially when those ideas are cited when causing harm to other groups of people.
590193
Oh please, if I hear that "Christianity is not based on fear" crap again I'll puke.  What would you call the concept of eternal damnation?\n\nIt's fairly straightforward... fear's the easiest way to control people.  Understanding empowers the individual.  We wouldn't want that now, would we?
709495
Dear Mitchell:  Actually, the dictionary states that cults have the stigma attached to them of being "misguided and unorthodox."\n\nI think we need to consider main stream religions and doctrines as not falling into that category.  Perhaps, spirituality or non-denominational traditions could be called that by some people, but as long as it is not Occult, the above should not be a stigma attached to these traditions, either.  The great prophets of the ages have been mystics meaning they delve into the Truths of soul or spirit-mind (which is what God Created).  Spiritual experiences come from strengthening the position of our souls within us, and bringing the soul to the Center of Mind.  These spiritual experiences bring God to us more potently, as in the Prophets, and are thought of as Mystical experience.  Perhaps not main-stream, but not Occult.  Certainly not misguided, either.  \n\nThis is why I find it difficult to think of most all religions as cults.  \nI think Interpretations have fragmented the original Church Jesus had in His Mind; and,  that would take the word of a singular God out into a Pagan world.  He aimed to teach the Nature of that God and to demonstrate that the physical world of matter and brain is a type of reality that can be overcome by the Ultimate Reality.  The fragmentations of His Church are so numerous as to divide mankind more greatly than the babbling of different languages confused mankind's ability to communicate - at the Tower of Babel.  Interpretations led to the adding and subtracting from what Jesus had taught.  So religion contains impurities ; for mankind's Intellect has turned His beloved singular Church into a literal Tower of Babel, itself.\n\nIn all religions there are certain unalterable truths.  Perhaps, the wording sounds a bit different; but, when examined more closely, at least some of the basics that Jesus taught are present.  The soul recognizes those Truths and witnesses to them despite the human Intellect's logic and deductions.  \n\nBest regards, Lana
657385
Well, how pleasantly surprising to find that only 75% of the people responding to this are ignorant proselytizing judgmental morons...I was expecting something like 90-100%.\n\nHonestly, how is Christianity supposed to keep its flocks on the straight and narrow path (that leads to the collection plate) if they don't do a little scaremongering?  And you, my friend, are the perfect target...why, your NAME, according to my religion, implies evil incarnate; I might as well take my preacher at his word and not bother to find out anything more for myself.  I'll just keep my eyes and ears closed to anyone that might try to enlighten me on the subject...they're only after my soul, of course; they will only lead me astray...if I just trust in the people to whom I give my money I'll go to heaven and be all right...\n\nAhem.  Sorry.  I just get going.  No, seriously, it's the name, buddy.  Most people in the US are Christians and your namesake is their arch-nemesis.  But you don't need to be told that, am I right?  It probably wouldn't do a lot of good, but you could put a link with your question to a site that might enlighten the uninitiated.
182698
its a word to decribe a cult or a group of people worshiping together. i have no room in my life for religion of any kind. i had rather read the bible and be the best person i can be
990313
I think the term is indeed applied to liberally. It seems that everyone is a "good Christian" if they attend church. I find this extremely funny, as most of those "good Christians" in church, live anything but a Christian life the other 6 days of the week.