Are Churches really Cults ? (17)
I love God but He never intended that man create different denominations. My own quote: "Religion is man trying to make God into his own image. Christianity is man trying to make himself into GOD's image." 
Shalom!
Shalom!
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MrRick77: Are Churches really Cults ?
So, Rick, how do you vote? Do you believe Churches are really Cults?
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I think the they're a pack of liars.
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MrRick77: Are Churches really Cults ?
Of course - silly question.
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Although I do belong to a mainstream church, I am still enough of an old beatnik to dislike organized religion. If you think about it, all of the organized churches, no matter how 'liberal', want you to think and act the way THEY think you should-- so far I've been able to assert myself without getting in hot water with my church. (My minister actually agrees with me on the rather "off-the-beaten-path" way I look at spirituality. It's funny, because to agree with me does not require agreeing with me--)
(you see, my belief is that spirituality is unique for each person, and therefore not the same; making it neither wrong nor sinful, so to agree with this is to agree that it is different for all. Kind of confusing, but really, the only way to see it). And, if you disagree, well, I'll, I'll, I'll take you off the prayer circle list. that'll show you!
(you see, my belief is that spirituality is unique for each person, and therefore not the same; making it neither wrong nor sinful, so to agree with this is to agree that it is different for all. Kind of confusing, but really, the only way to see it). And, if you disagree, well, I'll, I'll, I'll take you off the prayer circle list. that'll show you!
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no but politicians are wait a minute read the word cults wrong
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I'm sure all denominations are money making hypocrites’. 
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Yep 
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MrRick77: Are Churches really Cults ?
Off course they are, Jesus cult, Mohamed cult, Buddha cult, god cult. They all started off as a political movement by a small few.------ This poll is Archived ------
rohaan: Although I do belong to a mainstream church, I am still enough of an old beatnik to dislike organized religion. If you think about it, all of the organized churches, no matter how 'liberal', want you to think and act the way THEY think you should-- so far I've been able to assert myself without getting in hot water with my church. (My minister actually agrees with me on the rather "off-the-beaten-path" way I look at spirituality. It's funny, because to agree with me does not require agreeing with me--)
(you see, my belief is that spirituality is unique for each person, and therefore not the same; making it neither wrong nor sinful, so to agree with this is to agree that it is different for all. Kind of confusing, but really, the only way to see it). And, if you disagree, well, I'll, I'll, I'll take you off the prayer circle list. that'll show you!
lol ... I had to laugh at that line. (you see, my belief is that spirituality is unique for each person, and therefore not the same; making it neither wrong nor sinful, so to agree with this is to agree that it is different for all. Kind of confusing, but really, the only way to see it). And, if you disagree, well, I'll, I'll, I'll take you off the prayer circle list. that'll show you!
The way I see it, as adults we can make choices for ourselves and explore life/spiritually ..... its up to each of us to decide what makes sense to us and our experiences.
To have another discount our experiences doesn't ring true for me .... not everything is known in the world and I think its important to keep an open mind to the possibilities. We each are limited until we learn differently.
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God/United is Good and any faith that says anything else is not a faith but a cult.
jmho
jmho
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This Definition of cult, or may I say partial definition as it is a word that because of it's definition changes as we grow in different directions. So, here is a definition from Wiki.
""The word cult in current popular usage is a pejorative term for a new religious movement or other group whose beliefs or practices are considered abnormal or bizarre by the larger society.""
To save some time "pejorative" is basically a derogative or negative descriptor. OK... so I suppose this is a interesting coincidence since I just got back from church. LOL. I don't have a regular church i go to but sometimes I will go with a relative or friend, not very often. In this case my Mother. I know some of the faces and I enjoy singing the hymns. But to ask if "Churches are Cults" the answer is simply no. Churches differ in the multitudes and though I don't agree with many and I also do not feel welcome in many, I still can not label every church as a cult. Many churches out there are not abnormal to the majorities. Usssusally the term cult is resedved for the smaller groups that choose to worship a indiviual that leads them down a road to death or stealing all that they have to "Liberate" them from the Materialistic ways of evil. LOL..so the sermon goes. But though many may not agree with organized religion the simple fact is that there are one hell of a lot more people that do, so the majority factor and the Normality combined way out in favour of the Church not being a cult. Are there Cults? of course. they come and go. some may last longer. but to say that the Baptist Church is a cult by the definition above just does not work. Now it was not more than a year ago I could have sworn that there was a part in the definition that talked about endangerment. Now once that is accepted as part of the definition.. and I figure why not? Why not add that one in? Endangerment to people within or that protest against said Cult. I'll just throw it out there for now. maybe someone already saw that definition. But just because I don't belong to your Church does not mean your Church is a Cult. That is pretty straight forward I think.
Oh, is your Church and it;s beliefs a minority in a different part of the world? Maybe. But I think that is why they strive to reach out to so many people in other lands to keep them as being a "normal" entity.
""The word cult in current popular usage is a pejorative term for a new religious movement or other group whose beliefs or practices are considered abnormal or bizarre by the larger society.""
To save some time "pejorative" is basically a derogative or negative descriptor. OK... so I suppose this is a interesting coincidence since I just got back from church. LOL. I don't have a regular church i go to but sometimes I will go with a relative or friend, not very often. In this case my Mother. I know some of the faces and I enjoy singing the hymns. But to ask if "Churches are Cults" the answer is simply no. Churches differ in the multitudes and though I don't agree with many and I also do not feel welcome in many, I still can not label every church as a cult. Many churches out there are not abnormal to the majorities. Usssusally the term cult is resedved for the smaller groups that choose to worship a indiviual that leads them down a road to death or stealing all that they have to "Liberate" them from the Materialistic ways of evil. LOL..so the sermon goes. But though many may not agree with organized religion the simple fact is that there are one hell of a lot more people that do, so the majority factor and the Normality combined way out in favour of the Church not being a cult. Are there Cults? of course. they come and go. some may last longer. but to say that the Baptist Church is a cult by the definition above just does not work. Now it was not more than a year ago I could have sworn that there was a part in the definition that talked about endangerment. Now once that is accepted as part of the definition.. and I figure why not? Why not add that one in? Endangerment to people within or that protest against said Cult. I'll just throw it out there for now. maybe someone already saw that definition. But just because I don't belong to your Church does not mean your Church is a Cult. That is pretty straight forward I think.
Oh, is your Church and it;s beliefs a minority in a different part of the world? Maybe. But I think that is why they strive to reach out to so many people in other lands to keep them as being a "normal" entity.
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langleygirl: lol ... I had to laugh at that line.
The way I see it, as adults we can make choices for ourselves and explore life/spiritually ..... its up to each of us to decide what makes sense to us and our experiences.
To have another discount our experiences doesn't ring true for me .... not everything is known in the world and I think its important to keep an open mind to the possibilities. We each are limited until we learn differently.
Hey!The way I see it, as adults we can make choices for ourselves and explore life/spiritually ..... its up to each of us to decide what makes sense to us and our experiences.
To have another discount our experiences doesn't ring true for me .... not everything is known in the world and I think its important to keep an open mind to the possibilities. We each are limited until we learn differently.
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Think this over for yourself, you might be surprised. It is not meant to vilify any one religion/faith, but it is timely.
HALLMARKS DEFINITIVE OF A CULT
1. Focus is on a living leader to whom members are committed and ardently defend.
2. Preoccupied with making/collecting money.
3. Questioning is strongly discouraged, as is any doubt. Social punishment (akin to 'shunning') utilized. Usually clandestine.
4. Guilt used to accommodate control. (It works more often than not!)
5. Leader or assistants dictate how members need to think, feel, act.
6. Sermons stress keywords or phrases repetitively.
(this is not a complete list, but you should probably get the idea)
Now, how many of you would agree that churches you've been to have these characteristics? Kind of creepy, isn't it?
HALLMARKS DEFINITIVE OF A CULT
1. Focus is on a living leader to whom members are committed and ardently defend.
2. Preoccupied with making/collecting money.
3. Questioning is strongly discouraged, as is any doubt. Social punishment (akin to 'shunning') utilized. Usually clandestine.
4. Guilt used to accommodate control. (It works more often than not!)
5. Leader or assistants dictate how members need to think, feel, act.
6. Sermons stress keywords or phrases repetitively.
(this is not a complete list, but you should probably get the idea)
Now, how many of you would agree that churches you've been to have these characteristics? Kind of creepy, isn't it?
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MrRick77: Are Churches really Cults ?
Deuteronomy 25:9
his brother’s widow shall go up to him in the presence of the elders, take off one of his sandals, spit in his face and say, “This is what is done to the man who will not build up his brother’s family line.”
Deuteronomy 25:8-10
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Created: May 2013
Last Viewed: Apr 20
Last Commented: May 2013
Last Voted: Jul 2017
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Are Churches really Cults ?(Vote Below)