Definition of a cult

Originally posted by robbie carrobie
no one is saying that it is, disapproval or approval has not be proffered as a defining criteria.

But I have proffered it, robbie. Several times. Are you not reading the content of my posts?

Originally posted by FMF
I think mine is an excellent attempt at defining a word that is contentious because it always used subjectively and judgmentally.

I am quite sure you are your own greatest fan.

Originally posted by FMF
But I have proffered it, robbie. Several times. Are you not reading the content of my posts?

yes i am reading them, so you state that some kind of approval or disapproval is one of the defining criteria of a cult, have you any examples of this in cult practice?

Originally posted by robbie carrobie
I am quite sure you are your own greatest fan.

You seem absolutely determined not to address the content of my posts.

Originally posted by FMF
You seem absolutely determined not to address the content of my posts.

please see the above post and keep your knickers on.

Originally posted by robbie carrobie
yes i am reading them, so you state that some kind of approval or disapproval is one of the defining criteria of a cult, have you any examples?

Disapproval, robbie. Not "approval or disapproval". The word "cult" is laden with the disapproval of the person using it. Example? Well, many millions of people would not describe Jehovah's Witnesses as a "cult", while millions of others would, for the reasons [of disapproval] I proffered in my definition.

Originally posted by robbie carrobie
please see the above post and keep your knickers on.

I think mine is an excellent attempt at defining a word that is contentious in so far as it is always used subjectively and judgmentally. Defining a judgmental word like "cult" is tricky. Why don't you have a go yourself?

Originally posted by FMF
Disapproval, robbie. Not "approval or disapproval". The word "cult" is laden with the disapproval of the person using it. Example? Well, many millions of people would [b]not describe Jehovah's Witnesses as a "cult", while millions of others would, for the reasons [of disapproval] I proffered in my definition.[/b]

so you are not actually referring to actual cult behavior but again you refer back to perceptions of the meaning of the word, irrespective of what may in fact be practised. I am not interested in peoples perceptions of the term, what i am interested in is defining the term cult through the behavior of its adherents. Attempting to define the term on the basis of how people perceive the word is absolutely useless for this task and essentially irrelevant, why? for it seeks not to to look at the behavior in terms of what actually happens within a cult but instead seeks to revel in obfuscation and the duplicity of terms.

Originally posted by FMF
I think mine is an excellent attempt at defining a word that is contentious in so far as it is always used subjectively and judgmentally. Defining a judgmental word like "cult" is tricky. Why don't you have a go yourself?

I am but I prefer empirical evidence rather than revelling in mere perceptions, you must forgive me, its the scientific method. My finding so far,

a cult may be defined as,

1. Having a charismatic leader who defines cult ethos
2. engaging in behavior which is clandestine and secret, from the public and/or other cult members

Originally posted by robbie carrobie
I am not interested in peoples perceptions of the term, what i am interested in is defining the term cult through the behavior of its adherents.

So you keep saying, robbie. But the word is about and is an expression of people's perceptions of a group and their perceptions of the behavior of its members. You have not responded to anything I have written about the perceived behavior of the members of groups that get labelled as "cults". Why not address the content of my posts on this particular matter?

Originally posted by robbie carrobie
I am but I prefer empirical evidence rather than revelling in mere perceptions, you must forgive me, its the scientific method. My finding so far,

a cult may be defined as,

1. Having a charismatic leader who defines cult ethos
2. engaging in behavior which is clandestine and secret, from the public and/or other cult members

Why not examine the way million upon millions of people use the word "cult" and add that to your evidence of what people think it means?

Originally posted by FMF
Why not examine the way million upon millions of people use the word "cult" and add that to your evidence of what people think it means?

Oh Socrates, did you die for nothing? because its mere opinion.

Originally posted by robbie carrobie
Attempting to define the term on the basis of how people perceive the word is absolutely useless for this task and essentially irrelevant...

No it's not "absolutely useless", robbie. It is the absolute essence of ascertaining the actual meaning of a word and how it is used. One must always attempt to define a word on the basis of how people perceive the thing that the word is attached to and describes.

Originally posted by FMF
So you keep saying, robbie. But the word is about and is an expression of people's perceptions of a group and their perceptions of the behavior of its members. You have not responded to anything I have written about the perceived behavior of the members of groups that get labelled as "cults". Why not address the content of my posts on this particular matter?

because its irrelevant.

Originally posted by robbie carrobie
Oh Socrates, did you die for nothing? because its mere opinion.

The word "cult" clearly expresses opinion.