Any Christians, please argue against this will facts, and valid statements only.

cult

n 1: adherents of an exclusive system of religious beliefs and practices 2: an interest followed with exaggerated zeal; "he always follows the latest fads"; "it was all the rage that season" [syn: fad, craze, furor, furore, rage] 3: a system of religious beliefs and rituals; "devoted to the cultus of the Blessed Virgin" [syn: cultus, religious cult]

quote:Originally posted by Sanity0verRated:

Any Christians, please argue against this will facts, and valid statements only.

cult

n 1: adherents of an exclusive system of religious beliefs and practices 2: an interest followed with exaggerated zeal; "he always follows the latest fads"; "it was all the rage that season" [syn: fad, craze, furor, furore, rage] 3: a system of religious beliefs and rituals; "devoted to the cultus of the Blessed Virgin" [syn: cultus, religious cult]



Is that what you think, or what the dictionary's authors say?

quote:In religion and sociology, a cult is a group of people (often a new religious movement) devoted to beliefs and goals which may be contradictory to those held by the majority of society. Its marginal status may come about either due to its novel belief system or due to idiosyncratic practices that cause the surrounding culture to regard it as far outside the mainstream.



en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cult

thought no one would notice eh

It was the dictionary definition.

christianity is a cult all right, a fucking boring cult.

The definition and connotation of cult is so varied it's pretty hard to label anything a cult. The wikipedia article does a good job trying to explain that.

To some anti religious groups, any group that believes any sort of super natural is a cult.

To some christian groups anything that isn't christianity is a cult.

To some cult watch groups any religion besides the one that backs them (such as the Cult Awareness Network which is owned by the church of scientology) is a cult.



I would say that some christian groups do exhibit cult like signs and activities.

meh I can't see how christianity is a cult

quote:Originally posted by Deoz:

meh I can't see how christianity is a cult

When people go to die just because their leader tells them its for eternal salvation, that's a cult. For example, Crusades.

quote:Originally posted by Beta69:

The definition and connotation of cult is so varied it's pretty hard to label anything a cult. The wikipedia article does a good job trying to explain that.

To some anti religious groups, any group that believes any sort of super natural is a cult.

To some christian groups anything that isn't christianity is a cult.

To some cult watch groups any religion besides the one that backs them (such as the Cult Awareness Network which is owned by the church of scientology) is a cult.



I would say that some christian groups do exhibit cult like signs and activities.

my definition is any group that lies to people to get them to believe, and then milk them like cows for all their money, this applies to all religions.

obviously brand new religions like the branch davidiaqns or the church of scientology need more money because they are just starting, and need to consolidate themselves, old religions don't need to do this that much they have a huge membership and control over people is what they want and not money.

Cults have a authoritarian, charasmatic leader.

Other than Catholocism (which has the Pope), most Christians have no 'single leader' who makes all decisions for all Christians (ie. cults do not have denominations).

Cults also are usually difficult to leave. They require large commitments to join, and usually require regular member activity. A Christian can be a Christian without ever stepping foot in a church. We are encouraged to enjoy fellowship with other Christians, but it's not mandatory. And even if you become a member of a Christian church, there are no required payments. You can leave at any time without being harassed, and welcomed back should you decide to come back.

The one similarity one may draw between Christianity and secular cults is the 'brainwashing' of members. Many fundamentalists despise critical thinking. But I've said it once, I'll say it a million times, do not blame the religion for the acts and beliefs of ignorant followers. There are Christians who have questioned their faith, and do, with good reason. And there are those that deem it as good a chance as any at being the truth and choose to believe it. To do this is not the act of a cultist, though.

[This message has been edited by Elephantitis Man (edited 01-24-2006).]

I always saw Christianity as a cult that, because it endured the test of time, was embraced by the masses.

Now it's seen as normal to be a part of a massive cult instead of a small cult.

An encyclopedia IS NOT a substitution for a dictionary:

quote:

1.

1. A 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.

2. The followers of such a religion or sect.

2. A system or community of religious worship and ritual.

3. The formal means of expressing religious reverence; religious ceremony and ritual.

4. A usually nonscientific method or regimen claimed by its originator to have exclusive or exceptional power in curing a particular disease.

5.

1. Obsessive, especially faddish, devotion to or veneration for a person, principle, or thing.

2. The object of such devotion.

6. An exclusive group of persons sharing an esoteric, usually artistic or intellectual interest.



Why are you anti-Christian types so motherfucking stupid?

I'm not Anti-Christian, I'm just looking for some that know what they are talking about. I don't know if he is a Christian, but Elephantitis Man made some good points. He is also the only one that followed the topic. Thanks you Elephantitis Man.

quote:Originally posted by ArgonPlasma2000:

An encyclopedia IS NOT a substitution for a dictionary:

Why are you anti-Christian types so motherfucking stupid?



Quit trying to be the next Snoopy, you really suck at it.

quote:Originally posted by Holy Shit:

When people go to die just because their leader tells them its for eternal salvation, that's a cult. For example, Crusades.

Sorry that makes no sense, participating in crusades back then wasn't a requirement to be christian or whatever, though I get what you're trying to say.

[This message has been edited by Deoz (edited 01-24-2006).]

quote:Originally posted by ArgonPlasma2000:

An encyclopedia IS NOT a substitution for a dictionary:

Why are you anti-Christian types so motherfucking stupid?

Some of those points match what Christianity is (2, 2a, 3, 4, sometimes 5.1, 6(with the exception of, "esoteric")) , assuming that you looked up the word, "cult".

It seems that the beginnings of Christianity fit all of those points, considering what he was claiming at the time. They must've evened out points to have it be more universal.

I think anyone that compares Christianity to the definition of cult can see that it is one, what I want is for someone to argue against it.

2000 years is an awful long fad....

so many martyrs for zero personal gain....

cult? no