arach writes:
for instance, lutheranism wasn't a cult, because martin luther wasn't the charismatic leader -- christ was.
Hmm. The problem here is that, accepting an exemption based on Christ being the charismatic leader, no Christian subset could ever qualify as a cult.
It seems to me that Luther fits the cult bill nicely (no aspersions against present-day Lutherans intended). The thunderstorm conversion and the dramatic acts of dissent are pretty classic cult-founding events.
Based on my dim recollection of his personal history, I googled "Luther storm conversion" and selected this quote from the first entry:
Martin Luther was a unique person and may be classified as a genius ” he was an intellect, teacher, preacher, musician, poet, leader of men; he was courageous and had a dynamic personality. In spite of his excellent education, he was rough and crude at times. He was a “bull in a china shop,” and his pen smoked hot against his opposition. It took this kind of explosive, dynamic personality to be a catalyst for the Reformation. Luther was God's man for the hour, and there will probably never be another one quite like him.
Walks like a cult leader, talks like a cult leader...
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