Cult or Religion?

Originally posted by Coletti
Yes. I don't know all the ways of brain-washing. I am familiar with some of the techniques common the 'cults.' A new recruit is isolated from the outside world, worked hard, and sleep deprived. As a reward for memorizing 'cult' literature - they are given a little more food and attention. This cycle continues until the recruit has completely absorbed and adopted the teachings of the cult. I'm sure that is just one of several methods used.

I agree it's one of the methods but not the only , there are much subtler methods used.

Originally posted by frogstomp
I agree it's one of the methods but not the only , there are much subtler methods used.

How do you tell when it is not brain washing, and merely persuasion? A good salesman can talk you into buying a car you didn't want at first.

Originally posted by frogstomp
The first thing a cult needs is a charismatic leader , It's build around him . Charles Manson seems to have had an hypnotic effect on his followers and that's a common theme in cults.Koresh, Jones and others less well known have the same personality types and their followers have similarities too , mostly young people struggling with leaving ...[text shortened]... shepard is also a wolf playing on their desire to be "loved" and then they are in a cult.

I can see that. At least one charismatic leader.

And cults do prey on vulnerable people - like con-artist and pimps.

Main Entry: cult
Pronunciation: 'k&lt
Function: noun
Usage: often attributive
Etymology: French & Latin; French culte, from Latin cultus care, adoration, from colere to cultivate -- more at WHEEL
1 : formal religious veneration : WORSHIP
2 : a system of religious beliefs and ritual; also : its body of adherents
3 : a religion regarded as unorthodox or spurious; also : its body of adherents
4 : a system for the cure of disease based on dogma set forth by its promulgator <health cults>
5 a : great devotion to a person, idea, object, movement, or work (as a film or book); especially : such devotion regarded as a literary or intellectual fad b : a usually small group of people characterized by such devotion



Main Entry: re·li·gion
Pronunciation: ri-'li-j&n
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English religioun, from Latin religion-, religio supernatural constraint, sanction, religious practice, perhaps from religare to restrain, tie back -- more at RELY
1 a : the state of a religious <a nun in her 20th year of religion> b (1) : the service and worship of God or the supernatural (2) : commitment or devotion to religious faith or observance
2 : a personal set or institutionalized system of religious attitudes, beliefs, and practices
3 archaic : scrupulous conformity : CONSCIENTIOUSNESS
4 : a cause, principle, or system of beliefs held to with ardor and faith
- re·li·gion·less adjective

Thusly, I would suggest the difference is.........little to nothing. Perhaps I shall refer to myself as a cultist from now on. Sounds a lot more abfab. 😀

Originally posted by frogstomp
The first thing a cult needs is a charismatic leader , It's build around him . Charles Manson seems to have had an hypnotic effect on his followers and that's a common theme in cults.Koresh, Jones and others less well known have the same personality types and their followers have similarities too , mostly young people struggling with leaving ...[text shortened]... shepard is also a wolf playing on their desire to be "loved" and then they are in a cult.

Are you making a commentary on cult-like individuals on the site?

Originally posted by kirksey957
Are you making a commentary on cult-like individuals on the site?

Ha! Who would be a candidate for that label?

I thought I just explained this. I am a cultist.

Originally posted by Coletti
Yes I know. My definition is not common. I use it to tell the difference between groups that use physical and chemical manipulation to control their members, verses groups that simply persuade members with words only.

You can leave the Mormon church by being convinced it is false - but it's not so easy with cult members.

Mormons and other false Chri ...[text shortened]... ink my definition is more precise and easier to work with. Others would consider it too strict.

My point is the goal, the means may not be as overwhelming yet the
end is the same, buy your truth here and no where else. If you have
a group telling yoiu only here with us your safe, simply because they
do not hide you in a closet and feed you rice and water while not
allowing you to sleep doesn't mean it isn't a cult.
Kelly

Originally posted by KellyJay
My point is the goal, the means may not be as overwhelming yet the
end is the same, buy your truth here and no where else. If you have
a group telling yoiu only here with us your safe, simply because they
do not hide you in a closet and feed you rice and water while not
allowing you to sleep doesn't mean it isn't a cult.
Kelly

Well that is true for Christianity also. Unless you believe in the "many spoked wheel" view of God. (All the spokes lead to the same hub -god - spokes being all forms of deism.)

Originally posted by Coletti
Well that is true for Christianity also. Unless you believe in the "many spoked wheel" view of God. (All the spokes lead to the same hub -god - spokes being all forms of deism.)

My orginal post on this topic.

"I define a cult where there is a central figure in the here and now is
leading the group into all truth and all truth must come through that
central figure, while a religious belief in God does not necessarily
have that. This also means that within various churches they can end
up becoming a cult if someone becomes to important, and the rest
of the denomination could be grounded on religious principals and
doctrines that are sound. Just like the Assembly of God and the Jones
Town massacre, I believe the Assembly of God to be a great
denomination as far as denominations go, but nonetheless, Jim
Jones came out of it, as did a few others that went astray. When an
individual becomes the central figure for all truth outside of Jesus
Christ in Christianity I’d say a line has been crossed in to forming a
cult."

Within those that claim the name Christian cults can rise up, but
Christianity as a whole, I would disagree it isn't a cult as I have
defined it. What you described was more like a mind control
method. The end result is what matters in my opinion.
Kelly

Originally posted by KellyJay
Within those that claim the name Christian cults can rise up, but
Christianity as a whole, I would disagree it isn't a cult as I have
defined it. What you described was more like a mind control
method. The end result is what matters in my opinion.
Kelly

I agree. Thanks.

Originally posted by kirksey957
Are you making a commentary on cult-like individuals on the site?

LOL , maybe.

Originally posted by KellyJay
My orginal post on this topic.

"I define a cult where there is a central figure in the here and now is
leading the group into all truth and all truth must come through that
central figure, while a religious belief in God does not necessarily
have that. This also means that within various churches they can end
up becoming a cult if someone become ...[text shortened]... ribed was more like a mind control
method. The end result is what matters in my opinion.
Kelly

Christianity is far too diversified to be a cult.
The most common link between all cult members is mind control though, That is what the "Leader" does best.
Like the old Dracula movies the bite is the belief system, but the mind control came from Bela Lugosi's hypnotic eyes.