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View Full Version : What is the difference between a religion and a cult?


Nick Young
07-22-2015, 09:51 AM
What are the differences between a religion and a cult? For example, how is religion defined by US law and how does that definition differ from the definition of a cult?:confusedshrug:
LJJ
07-22-2015, 10:01 AM
Popularity and lasting power. All religions started as cults.
Patrick Chewing
07-22-2015, 10:04 AM
Religions usually have a positive uplifting message for their followers, while cults tend to prey on the weaknesses of its followers, and command them to either commit crimes or obey some ridiculous set of laws.
sweggeh
07-22-2015, 10:08 AM
Popularity and lasting power. All religions started as cults.

Bingo

/thread

Tbh though, all religions are cults.

People just call religions they dont like cults. As cults is a negative word while religion is an accepted part of society.
RidonKs
07-22-2015, 10:12 AM
Popularity and lasting power. All religions started as cults.
:applause:
Yoda
07-22-2015, 12:49 PM
Join most powerful religion you shall. http://www.jedichurch.org/
KyrieTheFuture
07-22-2015, 01:32 PM
The real answer is tax exemption
RidonKs
07-22-2015, 01:38 PM
The real answer is tax exemption
haha :applause:
Droid101
07-22-2015, 01:47 PM
Religions usually have a positive uplifting message for their followers,
Nope.

Definition of Religion:

the belief in and worship of a superhuman controlling power, especially a personal God or gods.



Definition of Cult:

a system of religious veneration and devotion directed toward a particular figure or object.




Have fun kids!
Patrick Chewing
07-22-2015, 01:49 PM
Nope.

Definition of Religion:

the belief in and worship of a superhuman controlling power, especially a personal God or gods.



Definition of Cult:

a system of religious veneration and devotion directed toward a particular figure or object.




Have fun kids!

So you're admitting Islam is a cult?
Droid101
07-22-2015, 01:53 PM
So you're admitting Islam is a cult?
Sure, as long as you admit Christianity is a cult, Catholicism is a cult, Judaism is a cult, Mormonism is a cult, et cetera.
Patrick Chewing
07-22-2015, 01:59 PM
So the Branch Davidian's and Heaven's Gate and that Jones guy group are what then?

Mohammed will not be pleased with what you are saying here today.
Thorpesaurous
07-22-2015, 02:40 PM
Cult + Time = Religion = Tax Exemption.
Droid101
07-22-2015, 05:05 PM
So the Branch Davidian's and Heaven's Gate and that Jones guy group are what then?
Literal definition? Looks like both.


Mohammed will not be pleased with what you are saying here today.
What do I care what a fictional character from an old ass book thinks?