What Constitutes a Cult?

[Cotton Mather]

In my opinion, it seems that the generally accepted concensus is that a cult is defined by the following standards:


1. An attempt to manipulate and break down the minds of individuals and assimilate them into a collective group-think. A complete suppression of individualism.

2. An ongoing process of controlling the broken for selfish purposes.

3. Questioning and critical thinking is viewed as rebellious and a danger to the community.

4. Extremely heavy-handed leadership that is answerable to no one.


Is this an accurate assessment?

[deseret]

Yes.

[deseret]

http://www.rickross.com/faq.html

[chaotic_resolve]

In my opinion, it seems that the generally accepted concensus is that a cult is defined by the following standards:

1. An attempt to manipulate and break down the minds of individuals and assimilate them into a collective group-think. A complete suppression of individualism.

2. An ongoing process of controlling the broken for selfish purposes.

3. Questioning and critical thinking is viewed as rebellious and a danger to the community.

4. Extremely heavy-handed leadership that is answerable to no one.

I know several churches who could be labeled a cult, if this is the criteria.

[RevDWW]

Dictionary.com defines Cult as:
1. a particular system of religious worship, esp. with reference to its rites and ceremonies.
2. an instance of great veneration of a person, ideal, or thing, esp. as manifested by a body of admirers: the physical fitness cult.
3. the object of such devotion.
4. a group or sect bound together by veneration of the same thing, person, ideal, etc.
5. Sociology. a group having a sacred ideology and a set of rites centering around their sacred symbols.
6. 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.
7. the members of such a religion or sect.
8. 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.
And not all of the definitions have negative connotations.
1,2,4,5 could all be applied to the UPC or any other Church organization.

[Pressing-On]

In my opinion, it seems that the generally accepted concensus is that a cult is defined by the following standards:


1. An attempt to manipulate and break down the minds of individuals and assimilate them into a collective group-think. A complete suppression of individualism.

2. An ongoing process of controlling the broken for selfish purposes.

3. Questioning and critical thinking is viewed as rebellious and a danger to the community.

4. Extremely heavy-handed leadership that is answerable to no one.


Is this an accurate assessment?
Yes, I agree, but I have to say that if the conversation turns to UPC for the labeling I have to say that it can't be because if you stick around and find out all the things we don't agree on, we cannot fit the criteria. :D

[Cotton Mather]

I think the majority of Americans view the word "cult" as I posted originally. Maybe I'm wrong?

[RevDWW]

I think the majority of Americans view the word "cult" as I posted originally. Maybe I'm wrong?

Maybe the majority of Americans are undereducated when it comes to vocabulary.........:winkgrin

But I see what you are saying, just like the definition of gay now compared to 40 years ago has changed greatly in the American mind.

[RevDWW]

Cult Etymology: French & Latin; French culte, from Latin cultus care, adoration, from colere to cultivate.....Merriman-Webster Online

[Lost]

In my opinion, it seems that the generally accepted concensus is that a cult is defined by the following standards:


1. An attempt to manipulate and break down the minds of individuals and assimilate them into a collective group-think. A complete suppression of individualism.

2. An ongoing process of controlling the broken for selfish purposes.

3. Questioning and critical thinking is viewed as rebellious and a danger to the community.

4. Extremely heavy-handed leadership that is answerable to no one.

Is this an accurate assessment?

Cotton, have you walked down the hallway and asked one of your co-workers that question?

[Cotton Mather]

Cotton, have you walked down the hallway and asked one of your co-workers that question?


Hmmmmm:igotit

[Lost]

Hmmmmm:igotit

You are Amish, right? :winkgrin

[RandyWayne]

I pretty much agree with the above definition of a cult but think it almost always applies to individual groups and churches then most organizations (SOME exceptions).
For instance I can easily see a specific church being a cult, where the organization as a whole is not. (Although I would certainly fault the powers that be in the org for not keeping a tighter rein on the leader of the group.)

[Lost]

RandyWayne, you bust any myths lately?

[OP_Carl]

In my opinion, it seems that the generally accepted concensus is that a cult is defined by the following standards:


1. An attempt to manipulate and break down the minds of individuals and assimilate them into a collective group-think. A complete suppression of individualism.

2. An ongoing process of controlling the broken for selfish purposes.

3. Questioning and critical thinking is viewed as rebellious and a danger to the community.

4. Extremely heavy-handed leadership that is answerable to no one.


Is this an accurate assessment?


Where did you get this list? Are you sure these items aren't from a booklet entitled 'Pastoring for dummies?'

[RandyWayne]

RandyWayne, you bust any myths lately?

Yes, with Busters help.....

[Chan]

In my opinion, it seems that the generally accepted concensus is that a cult is defined by the following standards:


1. An attempt to manipulate and break down the minds of individuals and assimilate them into a collective group-think. A complete suppression of individualism.

2. An ongoing process of controlling the broken for selfish purposes.

3. Questioning and critical thinking is viewed as rebellious and a danger to the community.

4. Extremely heavy-handed leadership that is answerable to no one.


Is this an accurate assessment?5. Centered on the particular person that is leading the group and not on Christ.

[OP_Carl]

5. Centered on the particular person that is leading the group and not on Christ.

Uh oh. Is there a Joel Osteen cult? Is there a James Dobson cult? Is there a Chuck Swindoll cult?

[Chan]

Uh oh. Is there a Joel Osteen cult? Is there a James Dobson cult? Is there a Chuck Swindoll cult?They do have the potential of becoming cults, yes.

[OP_Carl]

They do have the potential of becoming cults, yes.

Dogbert says the best way to take over the world is to start a religion.

[Chan]

Dogbert says the best way to take over the world is to start a religion.Dogbert has never been wrong yet.