What Constitutes a Cult?

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.

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

[chaotic_resolve]

Originally Posted by 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.

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]

Originally Posted by 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?

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.

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

[RevDWW]

Originally Posted by Cotton Mather

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.........

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]

Originally Posted by 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?

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