Originally Posted by
NeedKarma
There are 2 definitions of the word cult.
Two definitions? I see now where your problem lies.
"A little Learning is a dang'rous Thing;
Drink deep, or taste not the Pierian Spring.
For sipping doth but fuddle up the brain,
But drinking deep doth clear it up again"
Definitions of cult:
* adherents of an exclusive system of religious beliefs and practices
* fad: an interest followed with exaggerated zeal;
* a system of religious beliefs and rituals; e.g. "the Roman Catholic cult of the Blessed Virgin Mary"
* In religion and sociology, a cult is a group of people (often a new religious movement) devoted to beliefs and goals which may be contradictory to those held by the majority of society. Its marginal status may come about either due to its novel belief system or due to idiosyncratic practices that cause the surrounding culture to regard it as far outside the mainstream.
* In traditional usage, the cult of a religion, quite apart from its sacred writings ("scriptures"), its theology or myths, or the personal faith of its believers, is the totality of external religious practice and observance, the neglect of which is the definition of impiety.
*Cult is literally the "care" owed to the god and the shrine, such as the Temple in Judaism.
* A religious group that follows a particular theological system.
* In the context of polemical Christianity, and in particular, CARM and other "anti-cult" ministries, such as Saints Alive in Jesus, Christian research Institute, Reachout Trust (ROT), Utah Lighthouse Ministries, and hundreds mnore like them who sell books and videotapes to Christians they have managed to frighten, it is a group that uses the Bible but distorts the doctrines that affect salvation sufficiently to cause salvation to be unattainable.
According to these groups, examples of cults are Mormonism, Jehovah's Witnesses, Christian Science, Christadelphians, Unity, Religious Science, The Way International, and the Moonies. In some Fundamental protestant movements, Roman catholics are also called 'cults,' and salvation is denied for them unless they become Protestants.
If you think they are wrong about the RCC, then they could be wrong about a lot more of those they condemn. Yes?
* (cult) (kult) a system of treating disease based on some special and unscientific theory of disease causation.
* Veneration ( or honoring ) of a saint expressed in public acts, local or universal, and formally approved by the Pope. More Roman Catholics in the 'cult' world that you say they do not inhabit! (The anti-Mormon outfit led by idiot ex-Momron Ed Decker - Saints Alive in Jesus - considers the RCC to be an occult demonic cult. Is Decker right or are you right?
* A religious group which denies the essential doctrines of Christianity. The term is usually reserved for groups founded after 1750.
* A following of people.
* (noun) often attributive [French & Latin; French culte, from Latin cultus care, adoration, from colere to cultivate -- more at WHEEL];
First appeared 1617
1 : formal religious veneration : WORSHIP Such as the RCC and Baptists, etc.
2 : a system of religious beliefs and ritual; also : its body of adherents Such as the RCC and the Lutherans
3 : a religion regarded as unorthodox or spurious; also : its body of adherents Regarded by who as spurious? Who gets to decide?
4 : a system for the cure of disease based on dogma set forth by its promulgator <health ~s>
5 a : great devotion to a person, idea, object ... Such as Jesus Christ and his teachings?
Before you try to trounce someone with your superior knowledge -
There are 2 definitions of the word cult.
- you ought at least do a little research to avoid looking foolish when you attack another person.
These subjects are sufficiently serious to deserve our best attention, wihthout letting niggles about the personalities of contributors become the engines that drive input.
MORGANITE
"Let there be light"