Do you think Catholicism is a cult?

[Anonymous]

I don’t mean Christianity at all, just Catholicism.

[jennifer_bloom]

I do not follow the Virgin Mary part of Catholicism but I read many bible chapters that are in the Catholic bible and not the Protestant one. I think any religion that helps people deal with stress should be allowed, even if you do not support their cultural teaching. What works for them, might not work for you, but they should be permitted to choose their own methods and coping style, though they might be different from yours.

[Asker]

I agree with free will, just expressing my concerns.

[Effably]

In the sense that it is worship of an unproven entity with a bunch of social and religous rules? Yes. Every religion is.

In technical terms? No.

The difference between a religion and a cult when simplified is whether or not it is seen as orthodox or unorthodox. Basically, if it is successful enough that we stop calling it weird it gets promoted to religion.

If we said we drink the blood of our long dead leader anyone sensible would raise an eyebrow. Some things have just been normalized.

[BCRanger10]

Depends on how you're defining "cult", but as a practicing and, in all humility, more-than-adequately knowledgeable Catholic, I can say with utmost confidence NO. At least not in the blanket sense that most people today think of cults.

[queenofcardio]

No.. I don't think so.

[queenofcardio]

What makes you believe it's a cult?

[Asker]

They praise the pope, a mere man.

[Bowserforever]

Not at all. It's a respected institution that does good work

[Asker]

It is respected, but don’t forget that good works alone do not get us into Heaven.

[DryGermanGuy]

No, they are the original church. But there are Catholic cults, like Opus Dei.

[Asker]

Maybe so. I didn’t think about other cults.

[docster]

Yes, it fits the definition I've heard of a cult. A religion that claims to be Christian, but isn't.

[strateguy632]

Not extreme so not a cult but also not authentic but self contradicted.

[fivebyfour]

Christianity is a cult in itself imho, Catholicism especially so,,,

[jshm2]

Christianity in general is a cult.

[Snowman84]

All religions are stupid

[jahaims]

All religion is a cult by definition

[In_Trance]

They're one in the same. And yes they are

[beefcakebradybatson]

Trumpism is a cult. Catholicism is a faith.

[FreyaRed]

It's a sect.

[Pterodon]

Definitely

[Agape93]

Yeap