What Is a Cult?
The term “cult” is used loosely by many who may not be fully aware of its connotations. To prevent confusion, some theologians actually avoid using the term.
The World Book Encyclopedia explains that “traditionally, the term cult referred to any form of worship or ritual observance.” By that criterion, all religious organizations could be classified as cults. However, in general usage today, the word “cult” has a different meaning. The same encyclopedia notes that “since the mid-1900’s, publicity about cults has altered the meaning of the term. Today, the term is applied to groups that follow a living leader who promotes new and unorthodox doctrines and practices.”
Endorsing the popular usage of the term, Newsweek magazine explains that cults “are normally small, fringe groups whose members derive their identity and purpose from a single, charismatic individual.” Similarly, Asiaweek magazine notes that “the term [cult] itself is vague, but it usually denotes a new religious creed built around a charismatic leader, who often proclaims himself to be the personification of God.”
The language used in a joint resolution of the 100th Congress of the State of Maryland, U.S.A., also conveys the derogatory connotation of the term cult. The resolution states that “a cult is a group or movement exhibiting excessive devotion to a person or idea and employing unethically manipulative techniques of persuasion and control to advance the goals of its leaders.”
Clearly, cults are generally understood to be religious groups with radical views and practices that clash with what is accepted today as normal social behavior. Usually they conduct their religious activities in secrecy. Many of these cultic groups actually isolate themselves in communes. Their devotion to a self-proclaimed human leader is likely to be unconditional and exclusive. Often these leaders boast of having been divinely chosen or even of being themselves divine in nature.
Originally posted by robbie carrobieI am uninterested in anything else you have to say, simply please tell the forum why you have singled Jehovahs witnesses out.
I fully understood it and have not intimated that it is exclusively one who leaves the mainstream, now you will state why you singled Jehovahs witnesses out. I am uninterested in anything else you have to say, simply please tell the forum why you have singled Jehovahs witnesses out. Are they the only ones who have left the mainstream? Are they the only ones you consider to be a cult? No, then why have you singled them out?
I've already explained this twice now.
I first explained like this:
From what I can tell, this thread was borne from a discussion you were having with DG on the "@ JWs on [your] Jehovah and killing" thread which you capped off on page 2 with the following post:
[quote]You stated that Jehovahs Witnesses are a cult, i am addressing your last post. It is a term you have used consistently in your criticism, therefore, what is your definition of a cult.
Seems to get to the heart of the matter, doesn't it?
[/quote]
Then I re-explained it like this:
I already explained that I was getting to the "heart of the matter" which is whether or not the JWs fit the definition of a cult per the discussion that prompted this thread. Not sure what you don't understand about this.
Now you're asking me to explain it to you a third time?
Seems like you're once again pulling what FMF calls "pretending not to understand". Why do you bother doing stuff like this, when everyone knows that you try to pull these childish shenanigans?
The fact is that the following seems to be a reasonable definition of 'cult' and the JWs seem to fit the definition pretty well:
In the West, the term has come to be used for groups that are perceived to have deviated from normative religions in belief and practice. They typically have a charismatic leader and attract followers who are in some way disenfranchised from the mainstream of society. Cults as thus defined are often viewed as foreign or dangerous.
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cult
Originally posted by galveston75I think I have mentioned before that Christianity could be considered as a cult of Judaism. And of course, now, Jehovah's Witnesses can be considered as a cult of Christianity. So there you have it. I consider JWs a cult. 😏
No comments on this by anyone?
HalleluYah !!! Praise the Lord! Glory be to God! Holy! Holy! Holy!
Originally posted by ThinkOfOneWhy have you singled Jehovahs witnesses out, you may like to start by answering the question. You might like to start with, I have singled Jehovahs Witnesees out because . . .
[b] I am uninterested in anything else you have to say, simply please tell the forum why you have singled Jehovahs witnesses out.
I've already explained this twice now.
I first explained like this:From what I can tell, this thread was borne from a discussion you were having with DG on the "@ JWs on [your] Jehovah and killing" thread whi foreign or dangerous.[/b]
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cult
Originally posted by robbie carrobieYou are a Jehovah's Witness, and you are here - active - on this forum promoting your beliefs and your organisation, and you started this thread, so it doesn't seem to me to be out of the ordinary to discuss the Jehovah's Witness organisation with you, does it? I mean, objectively speaking, do you really think discussing the Jehovah's Witness organisation with you is strange in some sort of way?
Why have you singled Jehovahs witnesses out, you may like to start by answering the question. You might like to start with, I have singled Jehovahs Witnesees out because . . .
Originally posted by galveston75By what I know of the definition of a cult, early Christianity was indeed a cult. They professed a belief not held by any other religious group at the time.
Would you agree or not that the early Christian beliefs and teaching expressed by Jesus were not also a cult in relation to the accepted teachings of his time according to your example here?
Many years ago I belonged to a cult which believed in the eventual Unity of Christ and Satan. Reconciliation of dualities and all that. It was rightly defined as a cult by a sociologist in his book about us. It exists now only in small corners of the web. The picture to your left is from the Death issue.
Originally posted by caissad4Indeed but where is your definition of what constitutes a cult? If we are going to make assertions about what constitutes a cult then surely it is entirely logical to define what we mean by a cult.
By what I know of the definition of a cult, early Christianity was indeed a cult. They professed a belief not held by any other religious group at the time.
Many years ago I belonged to a cult which believed in the eventual Unity of Christ and Satan. Reconciliation of dualities and all that. It was rightly defined as a cult by a sociologist in his book abo ...[text shortened]... t exists now only in small corners of the web. The picture to your left is from the Death issue.
Originally posted by galveston75The problem being that people tend to be somewhat biased in their own favor as to what 'normal societal behavior' constitutes. So in general one almost never refers to ones own group as a cult.
Clearly, cults are generally understood to be religious groups with radical views and practices that clash with what is accepted today as normal social behavior.