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Hello
Scientology is considered as a religion in the States while in most countries and especially in Europe it is considered as a sect.
Taking the money from you , brainwashing people and manipulating them aren't they features of a sect ?
So why should Scientology be considered as a religion ?
What do you think ?
Originally posted by PsychoPawnactually the difference depends on the different languages :
By sect do you mean cult?
What really is the difference between the two?
from wikipedia,
Dictionary definitions of the term "cult" include at least eight different meanings. These include both classic and unorthodox religious practice, extreme political practice, objects or concepts of intense devotion including popular fashion, and systems for the cure of disease based on dogmatic teachings.[15]
The Merriam-Webster online dictionary lists five different definitions of the word "cult."[16]
1. Formal religious veneration
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;
5. Great devotion to a person, idea, object, movement, or work (as a film or book).
The Random House Unabridged Dictionary's eight definitions of "cult" are:
1. A particular system of religious worship, esp. with reference to its rites and ceremonies;
2. An instance of great veneration of a person, ideal, or thing, esp. as manifested by a body of admirers;
3. The object of such devotion;
4. A group or sect bound together by veneration of the same thing, person, ideal, etc;
5. Group having a sacred ideology and a set of rites centering around their sacred symbols;
6. A religion or sect considered to be false, unorthodox, or extremist, with members often living outside of conventional society under the direction of a charismatic leader;
7. The members of such a religion or sect;
8. Any system for treating human sickness that originated by a person usually claiming to have sole insight into the nature of disease, and that employs methods regarded as unorthodox or unscientific.
Webster's New World College Dictionary defines "cult" as:
1a. a system of religious worship or ritual
1b. a quasi-religious group, often living in a colony, with a charismatic leader who indoctrinates members with unorthodox or extremist views, practices or beliefs
2a. devoted attachment to, or extravagant admiration for, a person, principle or lifestyle, especially when regarded as a fad [the cult of nudism]
2b. the object of such attachment
3. a group of followers, sect
For authoritative British usage, the Compact Oxford English Dictionary of Current English definitions of "cult" and "sect" are:
cult[17]
1 a system of religious worship directed towards a particular figure or object.
2 a small religious group regarded as strange or as imposing excessive control over members.
3 something popular or fashionable among a particular section of society.
sect[18]
1 a group of people with different religious beliefs (typically regarded as heretical) from those of a larger group to which they belong.
2 a group with extreme or dangerous philosophical or political ideas.
British "sect" formerly included a contextually implied meaning, of what "cult" now means in both USA and the UK.[19] Some other nations still use the foreign equivalents of old British "sect" ("secte," "sekte," or "secta." etc.) to imply "cult."[20] Both words, as well as "cult" in its original sense of cultus (e.g., Middle Ages cult of Mary), must be understood to correctly interpret 20th century popular cult references in world English.
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Originally posted by HFRorbisI like my definition better. A religion's focus is on God. Conversely, a cult's focus is on an organization or a charismatic leader. Of course some people would say that that would make Christianity a cult.....that is only if he were not God in the flesh. If he is not God in the flesh, it should then be considered a cult.
actually the difference depends on the different languages :
from wikipedia,
Dictionary definitions of the term "cult" include at least eight different meanings. These include both classic and unorthodox religious practice, extreme political practice, objects or concepts of intense devotion including popular fashion, and systems for the cure of disease ba y interpret 20th century popular cult references in world English.
Of course there can spring cults from within Christianity as well as other religions. Some that come to mind are Jim Jones etc, etc.
Originally posted by whodeyWhere does your definition come from?
I like my definition better. A religion's focus is on God. Conversely, a cult's focus is on an organization or a charismatic leader. Of course some people would say that that would make Christianity a cult.....that is only if he were not God in the flesh. If he is not, it should then be considered a cult.
Of course there can spring cults from within Christianity as well as other religions. Some that come to mind are Jim Jones etc, etc.
Originally posted by whodeyIt helps to have common definitions that is why we have things like dictionnaries.
From within. EEEks, I am thinking for myself!!! I apologise.
Of course, in that last sentence I was using words as they are defined by me so you couldn't tell what that meant. If you ask nicely I'll tell you.
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Originally posted by PsychoPawnDefinitions to words can help reframe your idea of what the words in question mean, however, what only matters is your concept of them when you use them. Take the word conservative, for example. John Mccainacrat is running around calling himself a conservative. Go figure?
It helps to have common definitions that is why we have things like dictionnaries.
Of course, in that last sentence I was using words as they are defined by me so you couldn't tell what that meant. If you ask nicely I'll tell you.
Originally posted by HFRorbisScientology is a religion. It is a very secretive and annoying one, but it is a religion.
This thread is not about the definition of the words "sect" and "cult"
We are smart enough to understand the meaning of the word 'sect'
so let's come back to the thread:
Is Scientology a sect ?
Originally posted by whodeyThat is why it is important to have consistent definitions - so we can communicate properly.
Definitions to words can help reframe your idea of what the words in question mean, however, what only matters is your concept of them when you use them. Take the word conservative, for example. John Mccainacrat is running around calling himself a conservative. Go figure?
I also wonder why people think turning McCain into McCainocrat is actually witty/funny/intelligent.