COMMENTS:
Actually, membership numbers do not distinguish a cult or religion, although religions are generally larger than cults because of the different natures of the groups.
It seems to me that the main difference between a "cult" and a "religion" is the way they either reject or accept the beliefs, attitudes, and values of the prevailing or surrounding culture.
A cult rejects the beliefs, attitudes and values of the surrounding culture, and a religion accepts them. A religion generally not only upholds these values, but actually creates them. By contrast, a cult not only rejects these values, but works toward destroying them -- intentionally or otherwise.
It is also true that religions, particularly fundamentalist strains, tend to define any group which disagrees with them as a "cult." This, of course, is an attempt to disparage the cult and discourage members of their congregations from joining another group. Fundamentalists groups are quite vulnerable to the migration of their members -- already extremist -- to these even more radical groups.
So far as I am concerned, their is little philosophical difference between a religion and a cult -- both involve convincing people that they know things which cannot be objectively proven to be true.
Dead heat in a dog race, I'd say.
Religion is defined as a group of beliefs concerning the supernatural, sacred, or divine, and the moral codes, practices, values, institutions, and rituals associated with it.
A cult may include the above, but is often distinguished by the following:
1. A religion or sect considered to be false, unorthodox, or extremist, with members often living outside of conventional society UNDER THE DIRECTION OF A CHARISMATIC LEADER.
2. The members of such a religion or sect.
3. Any system for treating human sickness that originated by a person usually claiming to have sole insight into the nature of disease, and that employs methods regarded as unorthodox or unscientific.
If you look at cults like the Jim Jones Unification Church, it fits the three items above.
The major religions do not really fall into those categories. You can have a religion with less followers than a cult.
Good points made by both.
Based on these premises, griffon007 and FiddleFaddleOnLSD, what do you consider Fred Phelps and his followers? Read up on the full beliefs of WBC before making a decision.
^A cult.
I would say Baptists are a sect. Just like Protestants, Catholics, Presbyterians...but not Mormons; those fuckers will burn in hell for their beliefs. ...freaks.
I think he is a dangerous nutjob. In my opinion, the answer is yes.
There is no difference. 'Cult' is a label used by one religious group to denigrate another.
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