Hiedi Irvine

Religious Studies 1006A

Student #:954692

What is a “Cult”?

In modern general usage a cult is a religious group that follows a living leader who promotes new and unorthodox doctrines and practices, normally a small fringe group centered around a single charismatic individual who uses unethical forms of persuasion to manipulate followers. Usually they conduct their operations in secrecy. NOTE: Although some misguided opposers and ex-Witnesses bent on justifying their leaving the Truth have tried to refer to the organization of Jehovah's Witnesses as a cult, it is obvious that these accusers are uninformed or prejudiced or both. There is nothing freakish about our religion or conduct. We are well-known to society as model citizens, not fanatics. We live and work among the community, maintain the highest moral and ethical standards, show love to our neighbors, and even to our enemies, are well-educated, adhere to the Bible, and claim no man or group of men as leader. [1]

Cult is from the Latin [cultus] meaning to cultivate, and by extension, any group or sect which cultivates, or 'promotes growth' through their beliefs to make proselytes. In modern Theological terms, the word is generally reserved for religious groups which (in contrast to classical Christianity, of having God's Word as their authority) blindly give authority to their leader. These leaders are often venerated, and manipulate and control the group through their charisma, deception, fear, and even perceived power. Anyone having a fanatical veneration of, or loyalty to, a human leader, animal, or thing. [2]

Obsessive devotion or veneration for a person, principle, or ideal[3]

By its primary dictionary definition, the term cult just means a system of religious beliefs or rituals. It is based on a farming term in Latin meaning cultivation. Sociologists and anthropologists sometimes use the term cult to describe religious structure or belief patterns with meanings (usually non-pejorative) unique to their disciplines. In modern usage, the term cult is often used by the general public to describe any religious group they view as strange or dangerous. Thus, cult can describe religious leaders or organizations that employ abusive, manipulative, or illegal control over their followers' lives. In addition to these usages, Christians generally have a doctrinal component to their use of the word. Cult in this sense, is a counterfeit or serious deviation from the doctrines of classical Christianity. (definition from the Watchman Fellowship website)[4]

Those past definitions were taken from the sites mentioned in the footnotes but the following site had them all. [5]

What is Religion?

A strong belief in a supernatural power or powers that control human destiny; "he lost his faith but not his morality"[6]

A subjective relationship to certain metaphysical, extramundane factors. A kind of experience accorded the highest value, regardless of its contents. The essence is the person's relationship to God or salvation. Jung called them psychotherapeutic systems and believed they contained, offered a gradiant for, and transformed instinctual (hence asceticism), nonpersonal energies, giving people a cultural counterpole to blind instinct, help through difficult transitional stages, and a sense of meaning. They also help separate the growing person from his parents. For Jung, the unconscious had a religious function, and religion rests on an instinctive basis. Different from creeds, which are codified and dogmatized versions of a religious experience. Creeds usually say they have THE truth and are a collective belief. For Jung, no contradiction existed between faith and knowledge because science has nothing to say about metaphysical events, and beliefs are psychological facts that need no proof.[7]

Generally a belief in a deity and practice of worship, action, and/or thought related to that deity. Loosely, any specific system of code of ethics, values, and belief.[8]

The adoration and service of God as expressed in divine worship and in daily life. Religion is concerned with all of the relations existing between God and human beings, and between humans themselves because of the central significance of God. Objectively considered, religion consists of a body of truth which is believed, a code of morality for the guidance of conduct, and a form of divine worship. Subjectively, it is a person’s total response, theoretically and practically, to the demands of faith; it is living faith, personal engagement, self-commitment to God. Thus, by creed, code and cult, a person orders and directs his or her life in reference to God and, through what the love and service of God implies, to all people and all things.[9]

Originally meant to 'bind together' — as binding the heavenly and the earthly things together. Modern usage refers to the teachings of and the rituals conducted by the Church or any other institutionalised religious organisation.[10]

A system of ideas and rules for behavior based on supernatural explanations.[11]

A code of belief or philosophy- involves the worship of God or gods. [12]