Is there a difference between a religion and a cult?

[rich08]

On Sunday the BBC had a television programme that debated the question 'Is there a difference between a religion and a cult?'

There were various representatives from different cults, people who have left cults, professors of religious studies, sects and cults, and some representatives from mainstream religions (for example a Rabbi). Interestingly (especially as Britain is supposed to be a Christian country) there was no representative from a main Christian denomination; there was a representative from the organisation Jews for Jesus but the organisation was classified as being a cult.

Some argued that the only difference between a religion and a cult is a question of size: other than that they are the same - so (for example) both take your money and demand certain patterns of behaviour (albeit that some may be more extreme than others). Others argued it was a question of whether it was outward or inward looking (for example serving the community at large or serving it's own leadership). Other argued it was a question of whether you choose to join by free will or whether you are preyed on and manipulated.

I wondered if anyone had any thoughts on this. I'm not sure if it can be accessed from outside the UK, but the programme can be viewed online (at least for the next few days) Big Questions?

Any comments? I'd be interested to get other peoples' views - my wife and I were debating it last night (in terms of the appropriate Christian response).

[lance.dunlop]

James 1:27

Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

[nebula]

Cults tend to be centered around one person who has received "revelation" from God that is, well, bizarre.

There is an exclusiveness mindset that they have an "in" with God that the rest of the Christians don't. Often they believe God's purpose for them has to do with the end times.

But yes, there is a controlling element.

And there is a mental abuse element.

[LOVE SONGS]

On Sunday the BBC had a television programme that debated the question 'Is there a difference between a religion and a cult?'

There were various representatives from different cults, people who have left cults, professors of religious studies, sects and cults, and some representatives from mainstream religions (for example a Rabbi). Interestingly (especially as Britain is supposed to be a Christian country) there was no representative from a main Christian denomination; there was a representative from the organisation Jews for Jesus but the organisation was classified as being a cult.

Some argued that the only difference between a religion and a cult is a question of size: other than that they are the same - so (for example) both take your money and demand certain patterns of behaviour (albeit that some may be more extreme than others). Others argued it was a question of whether it was outward or inward looking (for example serving the community at large or serving it's own leadership). Other argued it was a question of whether you choose to join by free will or whether you are preyed on and manipulated.

I wondered if anyone had any thoughts on this. I'm not sure if it can be accessed from outside the UK, but the programme can be viewed online (at least for the next few days) Big Questions?

Any comments? I'd be interested to get other peoples' views - my wife and I were debating it last night (in terms of the appropriate Christian response).

True religion and cult are not the same ...not even about the size of the congragation.

In the beginning of the early years of the Chruch ....they had it in peoples houses. With maybe a few gathered.

Peter would preach the word about Jesus Christ ...and were saved. Became born again Christians.

In a service there should be first the singing and praises unto God ....lifing Him up.

For God says to come to Him in song and praise.

God shows up....the presance of His Holy Spirit.

Then the Pastor ...Minister, or Evangelist ....will be lifting Him up in prayer before the service, and also...

in speaking His word, to the congragation.

And at some point either before, He starts preaching ,or maybe at the end of the service...There should be a prayer for those who want

to be saved ...the lost ...the person or persons' going up for prayer . So that these can surrender themselves to God, Jesus, the Holy spirit.

An eye-opener....

All Churches ask ...for money...even ministeries on T.V.

This is true religion ...and biblical teachings.

But, a cult is a Leader ( a wolf in sheeps clothing) ....who appoints himself claiming to be a Pastor , etc.

He wants others to follow his teachings , or rules ....and causes these people to error.

He doesn't follow Gods word...being a doer of Gods word.

For he himself , a false leader...still living in sin.

Claiming to have revelations from God , or will say that the world will end on a certain calender date. ....saying we have to do this, and that.

Cult Leaders are controlling the people ...families and their children.

And you have heard of some that have sex with women and children.

Some cult Churches can be tight- nit and the Pastor only with his family , or close friends to help

join in the services ...even in the music. They want to have the recognition only .

They don't want anyone better than them.

Where we people of God may have a gift or talent ,that God gave us ...and you have no room to grow with that kind of Church.

Please find another church.

I attended such a Church ...when it came to tax time ...they didn't list the times I gave cash, that I had given in the envelope.

I had written all of our givings in a my personal log book...check or cash. There was an argument with them, they didn't want to give me a receipt,

for the cash. They knew we gave in cash at times.

Simply , because this kind of Church ... does not report any cash collections. They may use the cash for personal gain,for their own pleasures.

God wants you to grow spiritually with Him . Not to have man, stunt that growth.

For example ...God gave you a singing voice... if you want to sing in Church, please go to a Church that will accept you in.

[OneLight]

Religion will not save you. Christ saves and only Him. We need to have a saving relationship with Christ and not try to work our way to heaven by doing good works. Good works come from being a Christian, not the other way around.

[LOVE SONGS]

On Sunday the BBC had a television programme that debated the question 'Is there a difference between a religion and a cult?'

There were various representatives from different cults, people who have left cults, professors of religious studies, sects and cults, and some representatives from mainstream religions (for example a Rabbi). Interestingly (especially as Britain is supposed to be a Christian country) there was no representative from a main Christian denomination; there was a representative from the organisation Jews for Jesus but the organisation was classified as being a cult.

Some argued that the only difference between a religion and a cult is a question of size: other than that they are the same - so (for example) both take your money and demand certain patterns of behaviour (albeit that some may be more extreme than others). Others argued it was a question of whether it was outward or inward looking (for example serving the community at large or serving it's own leadership). Other argued it was a question of whether you choose to join by free will or whether you are preyed on and manipulated.

I wondered if anyone had any thoughts on this. I'm not sure if it can be accessed from outside the UK, but the programme can be viewed online (at least for the next few days) Big Questions?

Any comments? I'd be interested to get other peoples' views - my wife and I were debating it last night (in terms of the appropriate Christian response).

True religion and cult are not the same ...not even about the size of the congragation.

In the beginning of the early years of the Chruch ....they had it in peoples houses. With maybe a few gathered.

Peter would preach the word about Jesus Christ ...and were saved. Became born again Christians.

In a service there should be first the singing and praises unto God ....lifing Him up.

For God says to come to Him in song and praise.

God shows up....the presance of His Holy Spirit.

Then the Pastor ...Minister, or Evangelist ....will be lifting Him up in prayer before the service, and also...

in speaking His word, to the congragation.

And at some point either before, He starts preaching ,or maybe at the end of the service...There should be a prayer for those who want

to be saved ...the lost ...the person or persons' going up for prayer . So that these can surrender themselves to God, Jesus, the Holy spirit.

An eye-opener....

All Churches ask ...for money...even ministeries on T.V.

This is true religion ...and biblical teachings.

But, a cult is a Leader ( a wolf in sheeps clothing) ....who appoints himself claiming to be a Pastor , etc.

He wants others to follow his teachings , or rules ....and causes these people to error.

He doesn't follow Gods word...being a doer of Gods word.

For he himself , a false leader...still living in sin.

Claiming to have revelations from God , or will say that the world will end on a certain calender date. ....saying we have to do this, and that.

Cult Leaders are controlling the people ...families and their children.

And you have heard of some that have sex with women and children.

Some cult Churches can be tight- nit and the Pastor only with his family , or close friends to help

join in the services ...even in the music. They want to have the recognition only .

They don't want anyone better than them.

Where we people of God may have a gift or talent ,that God gave us ...and you have no room to grow with that kind of Church.

Please find another church.

I attended such a Church ...when it came to tax time ...they didn't list the times I gave cash, that I had given in the envelope.

I had written all of our givings in a my personal log book...check or cash. There was an argument with them, they didn't want to give me a receipt,

for the cash. They knew we gave in cash at times.

Simply , because this kind of Church ... does not report any cash collections. They may use the cash for personal gain,for their own pleasures.

God wants you to grow spiritually with Him . Not to have man, stunt that growth.

For example ...God gave you a singing voice... if you want to sing in Church, please go to a Church that will accept you in.

I have to correct myself... the Church that we attended where they didn't want to give us a receipt on our cash given, for tax purposes .

They were not cult.

Let God be the judge for all of His Churches....and about the money collected.

[Botz]

What Butero said...cults always display the spirit of anti-Christ. This means they trip up on the revelation of who Jesus is, and present a doppelganger and a different Gospel.

[Fez]

What Butero said...cults always display the spirit of anti-Christ. This means they trip up on the revelation of who Jesus is, and present a doppelganger and a different Gospel.

Agreed.

History shows in the main that cults follow people, even unto death (Jim Jones is an example).

A faith based, Jesus loving Christian follows the direct Word, and not man (and listens to all men with discernment, faith based pastors or teachers included)

"Religion" can walk a fine line between these two, and sometimes fall of the edge.....

Then you just get the lunatic fringe on both sides of the divide!

[nebula]

One slight objection: there can be, and are, cults that are fully Christian (believing in the deity of Jesus, etc.) but follow some "vision" over the word, are controlling and manipulative, claim to be exclusive to God's plan, etc.

The Shepherding Movement of the 70's is a good example of this.

[Fez]

One slight objection: there can be, and are, cults that are fully Christian (believing in the deity of Jesus, etc.) but follow some "vision" over the word, are controlling and manipulative, claim to be exclusive to God's plan, etc.

The Shepherding Movement of the 70's is a good example of this.

Yep, the "fringe"!

Interesting to read that Derek Prince was a founder member of the five that started the movement. He later pulled out of it when the "submission" to one another and not a pastor caused huge problems.

Sounds almost like a church based on communist doctrine when you read up on it!