Why Are We Called A Cult?

[VideoGameJunkie]

How come other religions are never called cults, but Mormonism is always called a cult? I don't see what about the church is cultish. Is it the sacred temple ceremonies?

[3DOP]

Cult used to mean belief. Now cult seems to mean belief that I oppose strongly because I think it is odd. It is only in the last generation that the word "cult" has been used pejoratively. I can  quote you Catholic literature from not too long ago where we refer to our own "cult". Don't worry about it. If you have the truth, somebody will despise you for it. The people who talk about "cults" in a negative way are considered weirdoes by most of the world anyway...if that matters.

Edited March 23, 2014 by 3DOP

[BCSpace]

How come other religions are never called cults, but Mormonism is always called a cult? I don't see what about the church is cultish. Is it the sacred temple ceremonies?

 

You should be proud to belong to the cult of Jesus Christ. Tell your detractors that it's better than belonging to the cult of Paul (who himself actually also belongs to the cult of Jesus Christ).

Edited March 23, 2014 by BCSpace

[JLHPROF]

How come other religions are never called cults, but Mormonism is always called a cult? I don't see what about the church is cultish. Is it the sacred temple ceremonies?

 

For once Wikipedia actually defines it pretty well:

"A cult is a religious group or other organization with deviant and novel beliefs and practices.  However, whether any particular group's beliefs are sufficiently deviant or novel enough to be considered a cult is often unclear, and thus establishing a precise definition of cults is problematic^."

 

So we are only considered a cult by those who consider our beliefs and practices to be "deviant and novel".  So because we "deviate" from traditional Christian beliefs and have introduced "new/novel" teachings they call us a cult.  But that is just their perspective.

 

There is no such thing as a definitive cult - it's all based on the perspective of the person viewing the group.

[JAHS]

"...if you believe in it, it is a religion or perhaps THE religion; 
if you do not care one way or another about it, it is a sect;
but if you fear and hate it, it is a cult." Leo Pfeffer  (American Jewish scholar and humanist)

[Mark Beesley]

How come other religions are never called cults, but Mormonism is always called a cult? I don't see what about the church is cultish. Is it the sacred temple ceremonies?

Ignorance.

[Coreyb]

How come other religions are never called cults, but Mormonism is always called a cult? I don't see what about the church is cultish. Is it the sacred temple ceremonies?

cuz we are a cult. its just a word people use incorrectly

[cinepro]

How come other religions are never called cults, but Mormonism is always called a cult? I don't see what about the church is cultish. Is it the sacred temple ceremonies?

 

What makes you think other religions are never called "cults"?

[The Nehor]

Cult is actually a correct anthropological term for the LDS faith (and many other faiths).

 

It has acquired a negative meaning due to a bunch of idiots, mostly fundamentalist Christian groups. Wanting to make their struggle against the world more dramatic they created mythical satanic cults to fight. Suddenly all sorts of things were being tied to these cults such as drugs, Dungeons & Dragons (which apparently teaches real magic), all kinds of music, Mormons, Jehovah's Witnesses, Hindus, Muslims, etc. They made noise about this. Then a couple of teen deaths and suicides were "linked" to cult activity. Suddenly you have news stations bringing in "cult experts" (sociologists wanting 15 minutes of fame and some money) coming in and warning about how cults form and how to keep your kids out of them.

 

Then the word cult has a derogatory meaning. Thus out enemies, seeking to deceive, label us as a cult. They convince people we are a cult and hold black masses and work weird ritual magic. When we protest they insist they are using the technical term and we should stop complaining. It's all semantics. 

Edited March 23, 2014 by The Nehor

[why me]

I think that people call the lds a cult because it allows people who use the term to release pent up anxiety. The word has a hard consonant. Not much different from some English language curse words and it is known that by using such hard consonant negative implied words, anxiety is released not much different from such curse words.

 

Also, it is used as an escape tool to disengage in debate. The word cult is a simple enough word but it does close dialogue, deliberation, and debate.

Edited March 23, 2014 by why me

[Tacenda]

What makes you think other religions are never called "cults"?

That's what I wanted to say, but didn't know how without it looking like I'm bashing the church. Thanks for the link to help show which are considered cults and that they also differ somewhat from the mainline Christians. The LDS differ because we believe God is a physical being vs. a spiritual being. And we believe we existed before the earth was created, so two major differences along with a few others.

[Storm Rider]

As a child there were two small groups that were consistently accused of being members of a cult - the Mormons who had a small congregation and the even smaller group, the Catholics, who worshipped at Blessed Trinity parish. This concept of using cult in a derogatory manner came to the forefront with such individuals such as Walter Martin and his Kingdom of the Cults.  

 

The lesson I came away with is that I need to be responsible for my own thoughts and ideas. It does not matter who says what or what accusations are made against others, I am responsible for my own thinking and my own beliefs. If I expect others not to be led around by their nose in ignorance, I needed to make sure that I did not do the same thing either. 

 

Those individuals who harm the body of Christ like Martin have a special place in hell. They are not peace makers and work to destroy others and are anything but teachers of truth, which may have been their original objective. 

[mormonnewb]

I agree that generally a "cult" is any group that doesn't worship and believe exactly like you do. However, in common parlance, people often associate the word with groups like the Branch Davidians, Jonestown, and the Hale Bopp Comet cults, groups where members separate themselves from society in general under the direction of a charismatic leader. In that vain, the current LDS Church is not even remotely a cult although we do have somewhat "cultish" history. The move to Utah in search of Zion under the direction of BY does fit the pattern (obviously, without the catastrophic results).

And I think, in comparison to most mainline Christian churches, we still have a few "cultish" practices. For example, I had a breakfast with a pastor earlier this week who had A LOT of questions about Mormonism. I could tell that he was somewhat concerned that I had joined a "cult" by the way he asked his questions. And I have to confess that I wasn't completely convinced that I hadn't

For example, he asked, "So is it true that you all wear the same underwear picked out by the Church?" When put it in that light, our garments do sound a little "cultish." Of course, I explained to him the concept of remembering sacred covenants but I understand how some of our practices (e.g., secret temple ceremonies, following a prophet, etc.) are a little strange to most other Christians.

And I'm fine with it.

[Coreyb]

As a child there were two small groups that were consistently accused of being members of a cult - the Mormons who had a small congregation and the even smaller group, the Catholics, who worshipped at Blessed Trinity parish. This concept of using cult in a derogatory manner came to the forefront with such individuals such as Walter Martin and his Kingdom of the Cults.  

 

The lesson I came away with is that I need to be responsible for my own thoughts and ideas. It does not matter who says what or what accusations are made against others, I am responsible for my own thinking and my own beliefs. If I expect others not to be led around by their nose in ignorance, I needed to make sure that I did not do the same thing either. 

 

Those individuals who harm the body of Christ like Martin have a special place in hell. They are not peace makers and work to destroy others and are anything but teachers of truth, which may have been their original objective.

A special place in the terrestrial kingdom you mean

[Duncan]

Not sure, I didn't think we have much in common with the Credit Union League of Thailand

[Bill “Papa” Lee]

How come other religions are never called cults, but Mormonism is always called a cult? I don't see what about the church is cultish. Is it the sacred temple ceremonies?

We are not te only ones.

[Kenngo1969]

http://publications.maxwellinstitute.byu.edu/book/offenders-for-a-word/

[Tacenda]

I remember a RS lesson where someone brought in that some people thought our church was a cult.  I was so bewildered how that could even be.  But now I've seen what that entailed.  Now I see how we are pretty different.  The BoM is added scripture, people aren't too excited with that, along with the Muslims and the Quran.  LDS believe that the church needed to be restored, many Christians might balk at that idea, and think that is a slap in the face to Jesus not being able to keep His church together.  LDS believe in Grace after all we can do.  The last 5 words are like a slap also, because it's not Grace unless it's a free gift.  But they may not understand that LDS believe in salvation and exaltation to Godhood, not just sitting on His throne with Him.  These are probably the biggies. 

[thesometimesaint]

I remember a RS lesson where someone brought in that some people thought our church was a cult.  I was so bewildered how that could even be.  But now I've seen what that entailed.  Now I see how we are pretty different.  The BoM is added scripture, people aren't too excited with that, along with the Muslims and the Quran.  LDS believe that the church needed to be restored, many Christians might balk at that idea, and think that is a slap in the face to Jesus not being able to keep His church together.  LDS believe in Grace after all we can do.  The last 5 words are like a slap also, because it's not Grace unless it's a free gift.  But they may not understand that LDS believe in salvation and exaltation to Godhood, not just sitting on His throne with Him.  These are probably the biggies. 

 

There are "Christian" cults that want to do away with anything in the Bible not written by Paul, and even some of that.

[cinepro]

20 posts in, I guess I'm the one who gets to say it:

 

 

Cult = Small, unpopular religion

Religion = Large, popular cult

[Storm Rider]

I remember a RS lesson where someone brought in that some people thought our church was a cult.  I was so bewildered how that could even be.  But now I've seen what that entailed.  Now I see how we are pretty different.  The BoM is added scripture, people aren't too excited with that, along with the Muslims and the Quran.  LDS believe that the church needed to be restored, many Christians might balk at that idea, and think that is a slap in the face to Jesus not being able to keep His church together.  LDS believe in Grace after all we can do.  The last 5 words are like a slap also, because it's not Grace unless it's a free gift.  But they may not understand that LDS believe in salvation and exaltation to Godhood, not just sitting on His throne with Him.  These are probably the biggies. 

 

That is the great conflict with their logic.  First of all, those that use this logic are Protestants and often consider the Catholic Church to be a cult also. Their position is untenable because they have to admit they have either exluded books of scripture i.e. they do not have as many books as the Catholics or they must admit they have no right to exist because they Catholics are correct in having the right number of books of scripture. Second, they must also admit that they have no right to exist or they must admit that the Catholic position is correct. They either had authority to start their own church or they did not, which is it?  Catholics also believe in the necessity of works ONCE you are a disciple of Christ; the converted heart is prone to exemplify the works of Christ or they are not converted. The Evangelicals have a house that is firmly planted on sand; they cannot have it both ways.  

 

A disciple that does not follow is not a disciple. If a disciple follows and has good works does he not also have grace?  Also, what is the purpose of judgement if there are no works?  I tire too qucikly and too easily with the entire raison d'etre of the Protestant position.  

[thesometimesaint]

20 posts in, I guess I'm the one who gets to say it:

 

 

Cult = Small, unpopular religion

Religion = Large, popular cult

 

[why me]

I remember a RS lesson where someone brought in that some people thought our church was a cult.  I was so bewildered how that could even be.  But now I've seen what that entailed.  Now I see how we are pretty different.  The BoM is added scripture, people aren't too excited with that, along with the Muslims and the Quran.  LDS believe that the church needed to be restored, many Christians might balk at that idea, and think that is a slap in the face to Jesus not being able to keep His church together.  LDS believe in Grace after all we can do.  The last 5 words are like a slap also, because it's not Grace unless it's a free gift.  But they may not understand that LDS believe in salvation and exaltation to Godhood, not just sitting on His throne with Him.  These are probably the biggies. 

The cult word has often implied a severe brainwashing. And I think that it is this definition that guides people to call the lds church a cult. Outsiders believe that the lds brainwashes its members. The logic goes as follows: who would be a mormon if they weren't brainwashed? People just can't see that people actually love to be lds. It is not just a religion but a way of life. Living prophets, living revelation, a sense of community and a great sense of love for the other. And the idea that commandments were given by god to be obeyed with the gift of repentance for those who have made mistakes.

 

I don't see any brainwashing in the lds church: just christian teachings.

Edited March 23, 2014 by why me

[omni]

Cult is a thought-terminating cliche used to scare people. It's much easier for them to simply refer to the church as a cult than to actually debate specific doctrines or teachings.

[Duncan]

Cult is a thought-terminating cliche used to scare people. It's much easier for them to simply refer to the church as a cult than to actually debate specific doctrines or teachings.

 

 

them's my sentiments exactley. In saying someone else is a cult it's a showstopper so to speak