What is a cult?

[Gringo]

Poll question: What is a cult?

What is a cult?

[Caution]

1. How to know if a group is a cult

What is a destructive cult from FACTNet
http://www.factnet.org/rancho5.htm?FACTNet

FACTNet while not a perfect organization ($cientology has really done a lot of damage to factnet) is still a great resource for those recovering from being in a cult, for those who have family involved in a cult and for those wishing to educate themselves about these groups.

http://www.factnet.org

[dofus]

2. A professor I know

who teaches about cults at UMKC and feels that an important component in defining a cult is that there be a tension between the cult and the outside society. Even though a lot of us want to define cults as those we don't agree with, he has an important point. It's also helps describe why groups like the Mormons have been able to move from being a cult to being a mainstream religion, because they get along with the outside society, despite what any other person not Mormon may think of their beliefs and practices. That said, there are "Mormon cults" such as the polygamists described by Jon Krakauer in "Banner of Heaven".

[scarlet_owl]

3. Any "religion" that keeps people away from

their families and "former lives". Also, if you cannot leave on your own free will, chances are you are in a cult. No, not all religions are cults. Religion fills very human needs, and while some organized religions are destructive, most serve people positively. I don't belong to any church or any one religion, but I consider myself a very religious and spiritual person.

[mark0rama]

4. I wish I could remember who said it, but

I've heard a cult described as any religion that had not yet achieved a certain level of financial clout.

[newyawker99]

9. Congrats mark0rama!! 200 posts

:toast:

[Gringo]

5. Kick

into the night crew

[HalfManHalfBiscuit]

6. $cientology

Space alien facist wackos. And you have to pay out of your ass or "volunteer" work yourself to death.

http://www.xenu.net/

[AlienGirl]

7. Our household!

Bwahahahaha! (Effie told me to put that. I don't think we're a cult. I think we're more of a COMMUNE!!)

Tucker

[nini]

8. The Republican Party

seriously....