Question: If people sometimes call your religion a "cult" is the information in the details below useful to you?

(Posted by: Greek, Coptic, & Bible Forensic on 2010-07-20 09:06:34)

In modern times, the word "cult " is very often misapplied, as compared to the ancient, historical description of cults. Latin: Cultus. Greek: airesis (αι�εσις). Egyptian: (τοογτε)[Sahidic]. If you examine the ancient religious cults you will see common threads; certain aspects that made them cults. The major ancient cults (with some overlaps and variations) were: o Eleusinian Mysteries. o Corybantes (Cabeiri). o Magna Mater. o Kybelle. o Attis. o Isis. o Osiris. o Serapis. o Mithras. o Gnostics. o etc. Two key common threads nearly always existed in these ancient "cults ": 1. Mysteries and secret rites known only to initiates. 2. Additional mysteries and secret rites known only to a priestly class. For any modern religious group to be labeled a cult, in this historical sense, it would have to have the same aspects of the ancient cults that defined the term. So ask yourself: 1. Does the Religion have secret rites and/ or mysteries? 2. Does the Religion have a priestly class with additional secrets? If you answered yes to one or both questions, then your religion is probably a "cult " in the historical sense.

Posted by: A Zebra Striking on 2010-07-20, 12:43:56

Thank you so much for this fascinating research on the subject of "cults ". I can see that many people are not understanding what it is when they say others are in one. As one of Jehovah's Witnesses I know I am not in one for the main and simple reason that I do not follow a man! Nor does anyone in our organization. It is all about Jehovah and his Son Christ Jesus. Our messages are backed by scriptures and not opinions. It is true that we expose other religions that are teaching things that are against the scriptures but that does not make us a cult as the evidence that you presented shows. In fact, many of the "haters " have found much delight going on-line to get old publications dating back to the late 1800's to 1920's. They are looking as if they have some magnifying glass to see one little trip up that shows the witnesses to be wrong about a date or something similar. Then they say they are trying to help us and warn us (and others) that we are in this cult. We all appreciate that we are in an organization of humble and yet imperfect men that are striving to do there very best to help others and preach about God's Kingdom that is soon to come on earth. This is contained in the "model prayer " that people pray all over the world. (Matthew 6:10) If "anything " was a secret we would not have it openly publicized for anyone to read. For further discussion please go to watchtower.org

Posted by: Tooƒ FæriE on 2010-07-20, 09:09:00

A religion is a cult with political influence. Nothing more.

Posted by: Leo on 2010-07-20, 09:10:17

1) The Vatican has a library which nobody can access. 2) Only priests can perform Mass correctly, once they have been *initiated* into priesthood. It works!

Posted by: FarmerBrown on 2010-07-20, 09:11:39

Basically, MY belief constitutes religion and everybody else's constitutes a cult.

Posted by: GinnyPotter777 on 2010-07-20, 09:22:58

*shrug* I guess you could say my religion is a cult, because I believe catholics are very cult-like, and they're Christian, I suppose. But I'm not Catholic. :\ I'm actually non-denominational or baptist if I'm forced to pick a denomination. There arent any secret rights or mysteries or priestly classes within MY beliefs....just me, and God, and a bunch of people like me..... *blinks*

Posted by: Margarita de la Rosa on 2010-07-20, 09:50:44

Yes. Thank you. The info is quite useful. Now I can say I was raised in the Catholic cult... and got out alive!

Posted by: Greek Olive on 2010-07-20, 23:18:53

I like what Zebra said :) My answers: 1) No 2) No