Okay, we seem to be having trouble defining a cult. I found an article by William Edelen, he used to be a presbaterian minister, he wrote a handy guide to help explain the differance between a cult and a real religion, I hope this helps everyone!
"A CULT: Believes in heavenly signs such as comets and gateways to heaven and other mentally deranged ideas.
A REAL RELIGION: Believes in heavenly signs such as stars in the East at their leaders birth and the "sun standing still" for an entire day. (Joshua 10:12) and other mentally deranged ideas.
A CULT: Believes they have found the truth while all others are deceived.
A REAL RELIGION: Believes they have found the truth while all others are deceived. "Salvation is only through Jesus."
A CULT: The leader says "believe me and you will go to heaven."
A REAL RELIGION: The leader says..."believe me and you will go to heaven...Don't believe me and you will go to someplace called 'hell'".
A CULT: Has leaders mostly men, often wearing fancy robes and promising you salvation and heaven if you will give them your money and property.
A REAL RELIGION: Has leaders, mostly men, often wearing fancy robes and promising you salvation and heaven if you will give them your money and property.
A CULT: Claims their leader is led by God, and God speaks to him and tells him what to do. The leader talks to God.
A REAL RELIGION: Claims their leader is led by God, and God speaks to him and tells him what to do. And the leader talks to God.
A CULT: Makes miraculous claims about the importance of their leader.
A REAL RELIGION: Makes miraculous claims about their leader, that he was born of a virgin...could walk on water..could turn water into wine and feed thousands with only five loaves and two fish.
A CULT: Thinks women are subservient to men and the male leader and should take orders from them, including sexual bondage.
A REAL RELIGION: Thinks women are subservient to men. "Let the women keep silence for it is not permitted for them to speak; they are commanded to be under obedience." (1Cor. 14:34) "Man was not created for the woman, but the woman for the man." (1Cor: 11:13) "Let women learn silence in all subjection. I suffer not a woman to have authority over a man." (1 Timothy 2:11)
See how easy it is to tell a cult from a real religion. No problem.
Any individual on this little cosmic speck called Earth who really believes that he/she is speaking for the power behind a million galaxies in a universe beyond comprehension is closing in on insanity.
I was invited to speak a number of years ago to a state convention of Lutheran ministers in Tacoma, WA, I asked them this question: "how many of you actually believe that you are speaking for a God of the universe when you are in the pulpit on a Sunday morning?" About three fourths of them held up their hand. I then said to them..."not a one of you can explain a light bulb to me or a television set and yet you fantasize that you are speaking for the power behind the universe..." They never invited me back to speak again.I think you can see why. "
From William Edelen
http://www.williamedelen.com/sept92001.html
I hope this helps to clear things up! Also while reading Mr. Edelen's writing I found this quote, seemed appropriate to the board:
"Tolerance" and "respect" for ignorance and bigotry should have no place in our lives. The disease that is spreading in our society is the feeling that you should accept and respect an individual's belief's, no matter how ignorant or destructive. This is a most dangerous principle in that it threatens free inquiry, even science and truth itself. The danger is that far too many, in apathy, are dozing while this cancer spreads."
Anyway, off to bed!
-Brad
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