The difference between Mainstream religions and cults.

Cults:

Cult From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The word cult pejoratively refers to a group whose beliefs or practices are considered abnormal or bizarre.[1] The word originally denoted a system of ritual practices. The narrower, derogatory sense of the word is a product of the 20th century, especially since the 1980s, and is considered subjective. It is also a result of the anti-cult movement which uses the word in reference to groups seen as authoritarian, exploitative and that are believed to use dangerous rituals or mind control. The word implies a group which is a minority in a given society. The word was first used in the early 17th century denoting homage paid to a divinity and derived from French culte or Latin cultus ‘worship,’ from cult- ‘inhabited, cultivated, worshiped,’ from the verb colere 'care, cultivation'.[citation needed] The popular, derogatory sense of the word has no currency in academic studies of religions, where "cults" are subsumed under the neutral label of the "new religious movement", while academic sociology has partly adopted the popular meaning of the word.

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cult    [kuhlt] Show IPA noun 1. a particular system of religious worship, especially with reference to its rites and ceremonies. 2. an instance of great veneration of a person, ideal, or thing, especially as manifested by a body of admirers: the physical fitness cult. 3. the object of such devotion. 4. a group or sect bound together by veneration of the same thing, person, ideal, etc. 5. Sociology . a group having a sacred ideology and a set of rites centering around their sacred symbols.

Religion:

Religion From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia This article is about a general set of beliefs about life, purpose, etc.. For other uses, see Religion (disambiguation). "Religious" redirects here. For a member of a Catholic religious order, see Religious (Catholicism). Page semi-protected Symbols representing some world religions, from left to right: row 1: Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism row 2: Islam, Buddhism, Shinto row 3: Sikhism, Bahá'í Faith, Jainism Religions by country North America[show] South America[show] Europe[show] Middle East[show] Africa[show] Asia[show] Oceania[show] Religion Portal v • d • e Religion is a collection of cultural systems, belief systems, and worldviews that establishes symbols that relate humanity to spirituality and moral values.[1] Many religions have narratives, symbols, traditions and sacred histories that are intended to give meaning to life or to explain the origin of life or the universe. They tend to derive morality, ethics, religious laws or a preferred lifestyle from their ideas about the cosmos and human nature. The word religion is sometimes used interchangeably with faith or belief system, but religion differs from private belief in that it has a public aspect. Most religions have organized behaviors, including clerical hierarchies, a definition of what constitutes adherence or membership, congregations of laity, regular meetings or services for the purposes of veneration of a deity or for prayer, holy places (either natural or architectural), and/or scriptures. The practice of a religion may also include sermons, commemoration of the activities of a god or gods, sacrifices, festivals, feasts, trance, initiations, funerary services, matrimonial services, meditation, music, art, dance, public service, or other aspects of human culture.

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re•li•gion    [ri-lij-uhn] Show IPA noun
1. a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, especially when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies, usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs.
2. a specific fundamental set of beliefs and practices generally agreed upon by a number of persons or sects: the Christian religion; the Buddhist religion.
3. the body of persons adhering to a particular set of beliefs and practices: a world council of religions.
4. the life or state of a monk, nun, etc.: to enter religion.
5. the practice of religious beliefs; ritual observance of faith.

Comparing the two:

As you can see from reading the descriptions religions and cults have many things in common.
I will list as few:
- Both have majority of their members join because of other family in the religion.
- Both ask for money/work/time and dedication.
- Both take money/ assets and keep them for the leaders of the religion. Giving only a small bit bake to the church/community.
- Both insist that spirituality and connection with god/higher power are only obtainable through visiting and support the church/organisation.
- Both set strict rules and regulations for its members. Mostly rules that have no real purpose other than making members feel guilty and therefore more likely to be sucked in to the religion fearing repercussions for your actions.
- Both encourage beliefs that affect the way other separate people live their lives. They seek to enforce their beliefs on people who do not believe what they do even tho they have no right to do this.
- Both preach of punishment from either the church or god. Fear is a key factor in teachings and people/children are exposed to violent and dangerous ideas/stories.
- Both teach that there are always people with a better connection to your god than you. Such as the pope or cult leader.
- Both encourage its members to preach their beliefs to others and spread the word of the religion. Even if it means to offend others or become dethatched from society.
- Both base a lot of their teachings on faith. This word helps justify believing in something without evidence for its members.
- Both encourage you spend time with people who believe the same thing on a regular basis generally at a church or other dwelling.
- Both have no evidence or proof but people try not to focus on this. Rather worrying about what their so called god has told them, even tho no one actually is able to communicate with said god.
- Many seek to oppress women, homosexuals or groups that do not agree with the church/ go against its beliefs.
- Most enforce olden ideas and help to keep society or its members from psychological development.
- Both in most cases teach violence or some form of negative actions.
- Common for both to collect large amounts of land.
The list does go on but i think this should be enough to show you the ideas of religion and cults are one in the same.

Although in many cases cults seem more dangerous then mainstream religions that does not mean that they are not harmful. Cults generally focus on a small group of people and carry out their plans in a small timeframe (1-2 generations); this means that its actions are more obviously aggressive and worrying. Mainstream religions have an agenda that can last many thousands of years, so it is able to get away with its actions because they are less obvious and spread across many generations.

We have seen in most mainstream religions today a history of violence, oppression and even genocide.
In very recent generations Christianity was a forced social belief for many nations. People were taught to fear god and to be dedicated to the church. But only a few decades later we forget about this
So why do we accept them today if we do not accept new viole

Mainstream religions such as Christianity have been responsible for thousands of deaths over an extremely long time period. In this time they have accumulated immense wealth and now have a large control over the economy. Although it preaches goodness and helping other, the majority of its money goes to the church leaders and not helping others. It is estimated that the Christian church controls over 500 billion dollars of money, assets and land.
Yet they do not this money to help people in poverty or help society, in fact they actually fundraise more money for this, generally through separate Christian non for profit organisations.

So what makes Cults and Religions different?
Organisations considered legitimate religions generally have a large following and its ideas have been around for many generations. This enforces the idea that it is normal, encourages new members due to family involvement of social/peer influence.
Cults generally have less members, but ideas are no more unrealistic then that of mainstream religions. Example: it is just as possible that scientology is correct as Christianity. Both have equal amounts of evidence so are roughly the same when it comes to statistical probability.
The truth is that there is always a chance these religions are correct, but it is so unrealistic that it would be said to be impossible.
It is this slight chance that religions are able to exploit and convince people with.



The Salem Witch trails give a good example of how religion can breed fear and hate of the fellow human being. People claimed things such as “His spirit came out of his body and abused the young girl”. These ideas may not seem relevant today but many people take things such as demons and evil spirits literally. It is only a small part of the fear spread by religion that creates a lot of hate.
Salem Witch Trials

If you begin to research this stuff or anything relating to the horrors committed by many religions. You will notice how well the information is hidden on the internet.
Most searches regarding church history, genocide, crusades, brainwashing, profit/net worth and anything along these lines will result in mostly religious propaganda. No other subject is so hard to get the facts for.

I’m sure for many people what I have said here is obvious. But I really feel the need to point it out.
People believe that their religion is right because it has been around for a long time and their older generations have told them it is normal/fact.
Religion has proved many times to be extremely dangerous, but we ignore this and continue to give them immense power without asking for evidence in return.
It is the simple listen don’t ask setup. Shared by all cults and religions.
I think its important to stress the fact there is no difference between cults and religions because the negative stigma of cults could help to discredit religion.

Anyway I did not mean to cause offence I am merely showing the facts. The way people look at things or interpret them have a huge effect on something’s credibility/believability.
If mainstream religions were not based in such forced history and ‘normality’ they would be considered cults and have a much smaller member base.





Learn about brainwashing
History of Church crime
How many people has religion killed

Simply put. To educate people in America, we make them memorize information and regurgitate it. Very little secular education in America has anything to differentiate it from what is considered to be a cult practice.

Originally posted by CynicalDrivel
Simply put. To educate people in America, we make them memorize information and regurgitate it. Very little secular education in America has anything to differentiate it from what is considered to be a cult practice.

Religion is a big part of it.
Being able to choose what children learn and what they dont gives great power to religions that have something to hide.
If we actually learnt the real history of religions not just the stuff in the bible, religion would probably have no place in the new generations.

The difference between Mainstream religions and cults

Religions are cults that didn't die out.
Plain and simple.

reply to post by TerryMcGuire


yep i know it is obvious to most of us
but i wanted to list the facts so people who deny it have no chance in arguing their case.
a lot of religious people think they are so superior to people who follow 'cults' so i wanted to try and stop just another opression instigated by religion.

reply to post by UniverSoul


Interesting post
So the difference between cults and our modern day religions is simply popularity and influence.
I agree that both (in fact ALL) religious believe-systems carry an inherent risk of harm and caused harm throughout history to the present day.
Religious value systems don't require and often contradict any verifiable line of reasonig and therefore should have no place in realms where abstract reasoning is important to make the best decision.

Originally posted by ColCurious
reply to post by UniverSoul

 

Interesting post

So the difference between cults and our modern day religions is simply popularity and influence.
I agree that both (in fact ALL) religious believe-systems carry an inherent risk of harm and caused harm throughout history to the present day.
Religious value systems don't require and often contradict any verifiable line of reasonire shng and therefoould have no place in realms where abstract reasoning is important to make the best decision.

pretty much, its obvious but people tend to ignore it
i find it amazing this has such an effect on somethings credibilty
it shows how little choice people have in the matter of beliefs, society could make us believe anything if enough people believed it
and belief is the most dangerous tool of all because it can manipulate anyone
your right, they hold a great risk to society and the individual involved.
there is no reasoning or logic involved in religion, which is part of the danger. if we can believe this stuff whos to say we wont believe or do anything
im really just trying to inforce the stigma of cults on to religions so people can look at it from a different perspective. this is important when it comes to teaching people the error in their logic/thoughts

reply to post by UniverSoul

Originally posted by UniverSoul
[...]
Im really just trying to inforce the stigma of cults on to religions so people can look at it from a different perspective. this is important when it comes to teaching people the error in their logic/thoughts

And here is the problem.
Any religious paradigm is hard to let go for the general believer, since he has to become a doubter in the process... something very condemned in most believe systems.

Also religion provides a sense of security and offers safety in a way.
Your normal religious guy feels no need to ask why things happen - it all comes down to "God is responsible".
So doubting the concept of a higher power all of a sudden raises alot of questions... and humans fear uncertainty.

Originally posted by UniverSoul

Originally posted by CynicalDrivel
Simply put. To educate people in America, we make them memorize information and regurgitate it. Very little secular education in America has anything to differentiate it from what is considered to be a cult practice.

Religion is a big part of it.
Being able to choose what children learn and what they dont gives great power to religions that have something to hide.
If we actually learnt the real history of religions not just the stuff in the bible, religion would probably have no place in the new generations.

lmbo, you misunderstood me. Technically no explanation is ever given to a kid that 2+2 has a reason for equaling 4, yet they are taught it as a rote memorization. The things that make Cults work are what we do to kids to make them functional for this society. Considering that religion has it's least foothold ever in the USA, in public schools, and cult techniques are good tools for teaching kids to add and subtract? 1. We probably demonize the tools in use far more than we should. 2. There is no guarantee than this non-religious based cult trick that is typical US education doesn't have just as negative an effect on kids.

Originally posted by CynicalDrivel

Originally posted by UniverSoul

Originally posted by CynicalDrivel
Simply put. To educate people in America, we make them memorize information and regurgitate it. Very little secular education in America has anything to differentiate it from what is considered to be a cult practice.

Religion is a big part of it.
Being able to choose what children learn and what they dont gives great power to religions that have something to hide.
If we actually learnt the real history of religions not just the stuff in the bible, religion would probably have no place in the new generations.

lmbo, you misunderstood me. Technically no explanation is ever given to a kid that 2+2 has a reason for equaling 4, yet they are taught it as a rote memorization. The things that make Cults work are what we do to kids to make them functional for this society. Considering that religion has it's least foothold ever in the USA, in public schools, and cult techniques are good tools for teaching kids to add and subtract? 1. We probably demonize the tools in use far more than we should. 2. There is no guarantee than this non-religious based cult trick that is typical US education doesn't have just as negative an effect on kids.

ok i understand what your saying.
firstly we do explain to kids why 2+2=4 in ways like showing them 4 single apples or pencils. yes it is memorization but i dont see what your problem with this is, its not trying to convince the children anything is merley teaching them a technique that is used throughout life.
part of the stuff we teach kids about how to function in society comes from religion anyway, and i dont see how that
although religions dont have as many followers it still has a very strong 'foot hold'. religion dictates many laws, views and ways people operate or think about things. religions are taught through memroziation and familarity, and unlike maths they dont follow any logic. You say that we teach addition with no reason, where is the reason behind religion? yet we still demand that people follow it without question

1.if your refering to religious technique, i dont think that hate, fear and prejudice are very good tools to use. they should be demonized because they will continue to ruin generations if we dont stop them
2. logic is your evidence..the non religious 'cult trick' teaches kids to think for themselves, evaluate facts and evidence and base their opinons on the logic presented by the facts known. if we taught religious values in school today we would see an increased rate in destruction of society..religions preaches hate, fear, confusion, contradiction and everything else. like we need any more of that.
you cant say that something with evidence is just as dangerous as something that is believed for no other reason then some rich old men said so

Cult is just the pejorative word used by religion and mainstream society to imply that other people's beliefs and religions aren't of the "true path". You don't hear cult members claiming they belong to a "cult". It's their religion, as much as Christianity is a Christian's religion or Islam is a Muslim's religion. The word Cult just diminishes the beliefs and importance of the particular minor religion (or cult) in question.

From the footnotes in the Wiki - Cult Source:

OED, citing American Journal of Sociology 85 (1980), p. 1377: "Cults[...], like other deviant social movements, tend to recruit people with a grievance, people who suffer from a some variety of deprivation."

Isn't that what all religions do? Christianity tends to attempt to recruit people who aren't happy in life. Those who are in jail, who are gay, who live on the streets, who are suffering in some way. They prey on the needy and weak.

The difference between Mainstream religions and cults? Not much that I can see...

The first line of the wiki defined cults as --

"The word cult pejoratively refers to a group whose beliefs or practices are considered abnormal or bizarre."

By who's definition exactly -- I find any faith based belief abnormal or bizarre. The whole idea of heaven and hell and immaculate conception, punishing floods, gods and mysticism as bizarre. The only constant that is not bizarre is that of non-belief. Accept it if you are christian jew muslim hindi wiccan etc etc etc. you are a member of a cult. Each of these religions would view the other as a cult.

The only non cult is that of non belief.