Is there any difference between a cult and religion?

[Twalli]

From what I can see every religion began as a cult. So aren't all religions just cults that didn't fizzle out? I remember reading an article that said that the only difference between a cult and religion is a century. In other words if a cult lasts at least 100 years it becomes a religion, because all the original leaders are dead, and it outlasted them.

[ArrowheadSW]

Hummm... I've never thought of it in that way but I see what you are saying. What I've observed is that cults tend to be "obligatory", in that there are expectations that you have to live up to in order to remain in good standing with them. They tend to be a bit secretive about what they believe in, but not always. Also, they tend to use "social exclusion" if you leave them and no longer want to participate, the active members are told to avoid you.

[Sabretooth]

yes. I'm a Jehovah's witness. we are often called a cult... we're not. we believe in the tenants of Christianity... but, we have disagreements--we are individual thinkers. now, contrast that with say... Trump supporters where any dissent can can lead to your death.

[Twalli]

I am not saying cults are bad. A cult of personality can be good depending on the person. I am just saying that if we use bv the negative connotation if cult then we must realize that your religion was that at the beginning.

[Sabretooth]

but, you don't know that.

[Twalli]

We have evidence that Christianity and Islam began as such

[Sabretooth]

all religions are based on a perverted and extreme version of true Christianity. people saw the power and influence of religion and wanted it for their own gain.

[Twalli]

Christianity was not the father of all religions. It's under 2023 years old.

[Sabretooth]

you're correct. Judaism was there first.

[Twalli]

Even before that. Greek mythology and such.

[Sabretooth]

true. but, it does all come down to dissention.

[DizzyDesii]

Cults seem very brainwashed and “follow the leaderish”. In religion, you can worship someone and still think for yourself every now and again. A lot of people are not afraid to leave a religion or convert like they are with a cult. Cults often threaten to kill you or someone in your fam is you try to abandon them

[Twalli]

You can with religions NOW, not when they began. In Rome it was illegal to be Christian, one of the reasons that they killed Jesus. So there wa really no way to be Christian-lite when it began.
If we use your definition, Islam would probably be considered because you can't really leave it.

[DizzyDesii]

Well i dont study religions. I just focus on my own religion and we have free will and are not trapped

[Twalli]

I don't either, but I am a historian.

[DizzyDesii]

I lack interest in the past

[Agape93]

Just size, social perception and how acceptable it's teachings are to the mainstream of society.

[jshm2]

That's like asking for the difference between police and gang.

You're not intelligent enough to be asking these questions, kiddo.

No religion started as a cult. All cults die after the death of their leader.

[Twalli]

Christianity was seen as a cult in the beginning. Look it up. Christian's saw Islam as a cult when it began. Saying a cult ends when its leader dies proves the article's point. If a belief system outlasts the leader's death then it is a religion. Which means it's impossible to tell if a belief system is a cult until after the fact.

[MCheetah]

Yeah. Religions make more money.

"The only difference between a cult and religion is a century."

Yeah, pretty much. Scientology made it the distance. Now they have "official" churches set up everywhere.

[Hispanic-Cool-Guy]

Yes.

Cult = A group of people often following and blindly obeying one man to all his wishes without questioning.

Religion = A set of spiritual beliefs and rituals that are practiced or ought to be practiced.

[jahaims]

Cult: a relatively small group of people having religious beliefs or practices regarded by others as strange or sinister.

Religion: a particular system of faith and worship.

[Twalli]

So when a religion begins and has small numbers it is a cult?

[jahaims]

By definition yeah.

[AndrésC64]

Yes

Crazy person vs. Cult vs. Religion

[AndrésC64]

Oops. I meant no, there isn't any difference.

[Tamera952]

Nope. Basically all the same Schtick! Same same.

[LogicBomber]

Religions don’t pay taxes.

[In_Trance]

Not really