answersLogoWhite

0


Best Answer

Cults can occur inside of and outside a 'mainstream' religion (here I take it that the question is referring to the classical 'cults' whereby strong leaders have control over members of their group, rather than alternative definitions such as 'personality cults', or 'cults of devotion').

Three ideas seem essential to the concept of a cult.

1. Thinking in terms of us versus them with total alienation from "them."

2. The intense, though often subtle, indoctrination techniques used to recruit and hold members.

3. The charismatic cult leader. Cultism usually involves some sort of belief that outside the cult all is evil and threatening; inside the cult is the special path to salvation through the cult leader and his teachings.

The indoctrination techniques include:

Subjection to stress and fatigue;

Social disruption, isolation and pressure;

Self criticism and humiliation;

Fear, anxiety, and paranoia;

Control of information;

Escalating commitment;

Use of auto-hypnosis to induce "peak" experiences

Cults are absent of the betterment of the individual person but rather than leader only. Cults try to subvert the human will with total and complete obedience to the leader of a group or sect

Conclusion

The term 'cult' tends to be used as a term of abuse. As shown above, there are stringent guidelines for defining whether a body of people (whether religious, lifestyle orientated, political) are a cult or not. An example of of cult outside of 'mainstream' religion is David Koresh. Within 'mainstream' religion we have the cult around Chris Brain at the 'Nine o'clock service' in Sheffield, within the Anglican church.

User Avatar

Wiki User

13y ago
This answer is:
User Avatar
More answers
User Avatar

Wiki User

16y ago

Perhaps we can ask James the answer the first part of the question, he says " Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this: To visit the fatherless and the widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world"

Religion is the actual practice of revealed precepts. Religious people are doers of the word and not just hearers only.

Religious Traditions are the laws, regulations, beliefs, doctrines and practices which are handed down from one generation to another. Traditions are either true or false. If they are in accord with scriptures, they are true; if they are contrary to the written, revealed word, they are false.

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

11y ago

Culture encompasses all parts of daily life such as clothing, food, religion, etc. while religion is part of culture. Basically, if a textbook or other source gives you information about other aspects of the people's lives, it is culture.

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

12y ago

Cuture has to do with your lifestyle and religion is a more personal choice that YOU should make. Not any one else.

This answer is:
User Avatar

Add your answer:

Earn +20 pts
Q: What is the difference between a cult and a religion?
Write your answer...
Submit
Still have questions?
magnify glass
imp
Related questions

Who said the only difference between a cult and a religion is a hundred years?

the editor of Washington Weekly


What is the difference between cult and occult?

gcbcb


What is the difference between religion and Islam?

There is no difference. Islam is a religion.


What is the difference between a gang and a cult?

A gang: a group of people with mutual interest.A cult: a group of people with religious beliefs.


What are the difference between mainstream religions and cults?

Great question. Here is the definition of "cult" from the Merriam-Webster's Online Dictionary--1: formal religious veneration : worship2:a system of religious beliefs and ritual ; also : its body of adherents3: a religion regarded as unorthodox or spurious ; also : its body of adherentsSo any religion can be considered a cult but in popular usage, "cult" has definition #3 above. Then it gets very subjective. For example, Christianity is the largest religion in the world but when it started, the religious establishment considered it "unorthodox or spurious". Debates rage over whether certain religions such as the Scientologists or the Mormons are a "cult" or a "mainstream religion". Some religions would consider any religion that is not itself a "cult".So there is no "official" division between "cult" and "mainstream religion"--this is an entirely subjective opinion.Certain "mainstream religions" are in my own personal opinion quite spurious or false, but are not considered "cults".


What are difference between religion and philosophy?

The difference between religion and philosophy is that religion gives unwarranted answers while philosophy asks questions.


Is Scientology a wealthy person's religion?

Its not a religion, its a cult. I suppose it is a wealthy person's religion because you have to pay them to join and reach higher levels in the cult.


What religion is declined in Russia?

the cult of Scientology as it is considered a destructive and non beneficial religion also my cult isn't allowed in Russia as my cult is the flying spaghetti monster


Is Hinduism a cult?

Hindu is a religion


What is the most famous cult?

Religion


What is the religion of CM PUNK?

He Is A Cult Of Personnalty


What is another term for a new religion?

A cult