A word like "cult"- only not for religion?
822249
Sect, sector, division, clique, persuasion, partisans, dissenters, denomination, opposition, movement, fringe movement, pressure group, splinter group, coterie, cabal, caucus, faction.
164034
This is one of the those loose terms that anyone can define to mean whatever they want it to mean.\nDefine 'growth', for starters. Then define 'spiritual'.\nDo you have any particular religion in mind?
519524
A cult is a cohesive group of people (often a relatively small and recently founded religious movement) devoted to beliefs or practices that the surrounding culture or society considers to be far outside the mainstream. The difference is that a religion teaches you how to be in the world, while a cult tries to take you out of the world. He explained that a religion gives its members guidance and support in how to survive and get along out in the world. And then he pointed out that cults always try to isolate their members from the world. Cults want their members to live together, usually in isolation, and break off all contact with friends or family who aren't also members of the cult.
102220
Is there such a word??
467311
Cults are commonly run by really charismatic and believable sales people. People who can really make things make sense and pull you into a fantasy that's hard to get out of. The common theme among cults is fear of questions, outside scrutiny, and lack of archeological departments. Secrecy is key because if regular people knew about the beliefs, the cult would never gain true status as a religion. They also tend to be very focused on money where they require you to give them money or convince you to give up "your worldly possessions". For example, Mormonism and Scientology both fit this mold. \n\nJust to be fair, some would say that Christianity is a Jewish cult.
650613
It's not a religion.  It refers to the type of governance the church uses.  Congregational means the the local church chooses its leadership.  Ecclesiastical is like the Catholics who have a central leadership.
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.
314592
The world is not so divided.\nYou could try ‘religious and not religious’\nBut I really don’t get why different religions feel the need to differentiate them selves from each other.  Its almost like watching Sunday football backing your favorite team, vandals, hooligans and all.
842918
this is not a religion it is cult.
138148
What you are describing is called being spiritual but not religious.  Good work.
1055193
I think the word you are looking for is Pagan:\n\npa·gan    ( P )  Pronunciation Key  (pgn) n. \n1. One who is not a Christian, Muslim, or Jew, especially a worshiper of a polytheistic religion. \n2. One who has no religion. \n3. A non-Christian. \n4. A hedonist. \n5. A Neo-Pagan. \n\nadj. \n1. Not Christian, Muslim, or Jewish. \n2. Professing no religion; heathen. \n3. Neo-Pagan.
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
922123
Faithfreedom\n\ngoogle it
7590
Break it as anti-dis-establishment-ari-anism. It used to be a word with most alphabets I suppose.Am I right?
856546
Well... first... cults offer the same thing most religions do in terms of belonging to a group, a set of rules to follow, and clear-cut definitions of rewards and punishments.\n\nMost obviously in favor of cults is the fellowship and "friendship" they offer to people who are lonely.\n\nLast, but certainly not least, is the purpose of life it dictates to followers.  Many people have a difficult time determining their own meaning to life.  For those who struggle, cults offer a ready answer.
722478
Of course. All religious groups, as well as other types of groups, are technically "cults". However, in modern times, the word has changed to reflect a new meaning in which one cult will battle it out with another cult by calling them a "cult". These days, it's generally a derogatory term, and there is something of a cult paranoia in our society. Almost every religious person, to people of another competing faith group, are potential cultists. The word carries so much hysteria that new terms such as "New Religious Movements" or "Emerging Religions" have been coined to describe non-mainstream belief systems, in lieu of automatically labeling them with the offensive term "cults".
293347
A cult is religion or religious sect generally considered to be extremist or false, with its followers often living in an unconventional manner under the guidance of an authoritarian, charismatic leader. Does Partners in Harvest qualify?