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Presbyterian Deacon
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 Posted: 02-17-2012 8:51 pm
Post Number: 16399 |
 
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Sterling A. Harmon, Jr.
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PilgrimPastor
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Posted: 02-17-2012 9:04 pm
Post Number: 16400 |
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| Presbyterian Deacon wrote: |
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LOVE the cartoon. It begs SEVERAL other discussion, but considering your question for the thread, there is a vast and nuanced possibility of answers.
#1: cults DEMAND as necessary for salvation, whatever they mean by it, that the nuances of their perspective are the only and absolute way. Further, that this only way is exclusionary in doctrine and practically. That sounds vague, and perhaps it is, but it is an isolationist attitude as much as isolationist dogma that is the first red flag for a cult.
Anthropologically, of course, many secularists describe any and all religions, Christianity included, as a cult on the criteria of fitting the very description (a form of it) as I have just described. BUT, therein lies the difference. While you and I may discuss what makes a cult. Actual cults define truths and then demand a separation on the part of their adherents from any who believe otherwise.
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Ask Mr. Religion
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Posted: 02-17-2012 10:47 pm
Post Number: 16403 |
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That door in the pix needs a lock on it since leaving a cult is not as easy as one can imagine. Sigh.
Other high probabilistic signs:
- Questioning, doubt, and dissent are discouraged or even punished.
- The group is elitist, claiming a special, exalted status for itself, its leader(s) and members (for example, the leader is considered the Messiah, a special being, an avatar—or the group and/or the leader is on a special mission to save humanity).
- Or the group denies the central doctrines of Christianity: the Trinity (One God, three Persons), the deity of Christ as the second person of the Trinity, the bodily resurrection, the atoning work of Christ on the cross, and salvation by grace through faith. These doctrines so comprise the essence of the Christian faith that to remove any of them is to make the belief system non-Christian.
Although he rarely posts here, he has a nice cartoon:
http://www.drstevej.com/cults.htm
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drstevej
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Posted: 02-18-2012 7:57 am
Post Number: 16409 |
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Presbyterian Deacon
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Posted: 02-18-2012 8:01 am
Post Number: 16410 |
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| drstevej wrote: | | Someone ring my bell? |
 Greetings Dr Steve!
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Sterling A. Harmon, Jr.
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Ask Mr. Religion
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Posted: 02-18-2012 1:35 pm
Post Number: 16420 |
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huo
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Posted: 02-19-2012 7:16 pm
Post Number: 16443 |
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I didn't see the answer to your question from the title?
Could you please explain it a little bit?
thanks
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Michael HUO |
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Posted: 02-19-2012 7:33 pm
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Posted: 02-19-2012 7:41 pm
Post Number: 16445 |
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| Ask Mr. Religion wrote: | | huo wrote: | I didn't see the answer to your question from the title?
Could you please explain it a little bit?
thanks |
Huo,
The cartoon humorously shows the foolishness of cultic groups who ignore the hundreds, if not thousands of years that have come before them wherein the church visible has been tested and withstood scrutiny by so many. The cultic groups pop up and claim everyone before them were wrong and they possess the infallible truth and the rest of us poor idiots, past and present, who apparently were unable to discern truth from error, ought to be grateful for their presence. |
 Yeah...what he said!
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yvieraebrae
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Posted: 02-19-2012 11:15 pm
Post Number: 16450 |
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| Presbyterian Deacon wrote: |
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I am going to be brave and suggest that the root of the problem that brings about a cult in the first place are the sins of pride and arrogance. Pride and arrogance is clearly seen in, " So this is where our movement came along and finally got the Bible right." and, "God is so lucky to have us." The proud and arrogant will not receive correction, because they believe they are the only ones who are right. They usually boast that they have a vision or special revelation from God. But the real test is: does that vision or revelation line itself up with the Truth that is in Holy Scripture?
Pride and arrogance blind us to the truth, and also cause people to build their own temples and sit on their own
thrones, and bask in the praise and worship of their blind followers, who somewhere in life forgot they should be worshipping their Creator, not His creation. The leaders of cult usually demand complete obedience of their followers.
I really believe that the only way to prevent ourselves from falling into false doctrine, or becoming a member of a cult is to walk in humility, stay in the Word of God, and keep our eyes on Jesus. There is nothing I can think of that I could add to my life that would be any more thrilling, or any more desirable than knowing Jesus. To those of us who know Him, He is precious.
One more thing, perhaps the people in this cartoon should be wearing blindfolds, since they are blinded by pride and arrogance. Or.....we could say they are blinded by the cataracts of pride and arrogance and need the surgery that comes when there is humility and repentance.
In Christ,
Yvonne
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Posted: 02-20-2012 12:19 pm
Post Number: 16452 |
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right, we must remain teachable at all times. And not think we have everything figured out. Our faith is a divine mystery. Who can explain the Trinity or Incarnation? as long as we are humble and teachable we can avoid the trap of cultism
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huo
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Posted: 02-20-2012 2:19 pm
Post Number: 16453 |
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Now I understand it. Thank you all for the explanations.
I have another question on the meaning of "cult".
As far as I know there are two translations of the word into Chinese, one of which is "a devil, dangerous, anti-human religion branch"， whereas the other is "a branch of a religion that is different from the major".
What do we usually mean by saying a "cult"? What is the difference between a "cult" and a "heresy"?
thanks again
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Michael HUO |
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Ask Mr. Religion
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Posted: 02-20-2012 4:56 pm
Post Number: 16455 |
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| huo wrote: | Now I understand it. Thank you all for the explanations.
I have another question on the meaning of "cult".
As far as I know there are two translations of the word into Chinese, one of which is "a devil, dangerous, anti-human religion branch"， whereas the other is "a branch of a religion that is different from the major".
What do we usually mean by saying a "cult"? What is the difference between a "cult" and a "heresy"?
thanks again |
Huo,
The Chinese word that you say is "a devil, dangerous, anti-human religion branch" would be what I would mean as "cult".
Cults are groups.
Within these groups will be leaders and members who no doubt believe heresies.
What is a heresy?
The Dictionary of Theological Terms describes heresy as follows:
| Dictionary of Theological Terms wrote: | | A {heresy is a} deliberate departure from Christian orthodoxy, together with the acceptance of error (2 Pet. 2:1). The basic meaning of the Greek word hairesis is “choice,” giving the meaning of heresy as a self-willed opinion in opposition to biblical truth. Such opinions frequently give rise to sects or parties (Acts 5:17; 15:5; 24:5, 14; 26:5; 28:22; 1 Cor. 11:19; Gal. 5:20). A heretic, therefore, is a sectarian. Thus he is to be cut off from church fellowship (Titus 3:10). |
By the way, the same Dictionary describes the word "cult" as follows:
| Dictionary of Theological Terms wrote: | Latin cultus, “worship”; etymologically, a system of religious worship, homage, or devotion. Theologically, it {the word cult} is used of those systems that profess to be Christian but that are antagonistic to the basic doctrines of Scripture, as for example, Mormonism, Russellism, etc.
Inherent in cult worship is the elevation of some authority to or beyond an equality with the Biblical revelation. Frequently, this takes the form of some special revelation claimed by the cult leader or some peculiar interpretation of Scripture that is binding on the adherents of the cult. The natural result is either a denial of Biblical authority, tacit or expressed, or a practical embargo on the freedom to ascertain and accept what the Bible teaches. Cults are naturally exclusive. Usually truth belongs to them alone. Salvation is found in them alone. They identify themselves as the church.
Thus a cult is, in effect, idolatry posing as Christianity, for whatever protestations are made to the contrary, worship based on a repudiation of fundamental Bible truth is idolatry. |
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yvieraebrae
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Posted: 02-20-2012 6:43 pm
Post Number: 16457 |
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| huo wrote: | Now I understand it. Thank you all for the explanations.
I have another question on the meaning of "cult".
As far as I know there are two translations of the word into Chinese, one of which is "a devil, dangerous, anti-human religion branch"， whereas the other is "a branch of a religion that is different from the major".
What do we usually mean by saying a "cult"? What is the difference between a "cult" and a "heresy"?
thanks again |
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/cult
Hello Michael,
I'm going to attempt to give you an explanation of a"cult" and a "heresy", and trust that those who are wiser and more knowledgeable will correct or add to my understanding of the words.
I think first we have to say that a cult teaches heresy. In my opinion both translations of the word "cult here could apply here, because, especially in non-Christian cults, there is often satanic worship involved.
I found good definitions for "cult" here:
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/cult
[u][b]Cult[/u]noun
1. a particular system of religious worship, especially with reference to its rites and ceremonies.
2. an instance of great veneration of a person, ideal, or thing, especially 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.
Related forms
cul·tic, cul·tu·al /ˈkʌltʃuəl/ Show Spelled[kuhl-choo-uhl] Show IPA, adjective
cult·ish, adjective
an·ti·cult, noun, adjective Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
Cite This Source |Link To Cult
CollinsWorld English Dictionary
cult (kʌlt)
— n
1. a specific system of religious worship, esp with reference to its rites and deity
2. a sect devoted to such a system
3. a quasi-religious organization using devious psychological techniques to gain and control adherents
4. sociol a group having an exclusive ideology and ritual practices centred on sacred symbols, esp one characterized by lack of organizational structure
5. intense interest in and devotion to a person, idea, or activity: the cult of yoga
6. the person, idea, etc, arousing such devotion
7. a. something regarded as fashionable or significant by a particular group
b. ( as modifier ): a cult show
8. ( modifier ) of, relating to, or characteristic of a cult or cults: a cult figure
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
EtymonlineWord Origin & History
cult
\1617, "worship," also "a particular form of worship," from Fr. culte, from L. cultus "care, cultivation, worship," originally "tended, cultivated," pp. of colere "to till" (see colony). Rare after 17c.; revived mid-19c. with reference to ancient or primitive rituals. Meaning
EXPAND"devotion to a person or thing" is from 1829. COLLAPSE Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
American HeritageCultural Dictionary
cult definition
In anthropology, an organization for the conduct of ritual, magical, or other religious observances. Many so-called primitive tribes, for example, have ancestor cults, in which dead ancestors are considered divine and activities are organized to respect their memory and invoke their aid. A cult is also a religious group held together by a dominant, often charismatic individual, or by the worship of a divinity, an idol, or some other object. ( See animism, fetish, and totemism.)
Note : The term cult often suggests extreme beliefs and bizarre behavior. The American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source Word Dynamo Rating For CultPeople who can define Cult may know 6,112 words.How many words do you know?
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/heresy
Heresy[her-uh-see]
1. opinion or doctrine at variance with the orthodox or accepted doctrine, especially of a church or religious system.
2. the maintaining of such an opinion or doctrine.
3. Roman Catholic Church . the willful and persistent rejection of any article of faith by a baptized member of the church.
4. any belief or theory that is strongly at variance with established beliefs, customs, etc.
World English Dictionary
heresy (ˈhɛrəsɪ)
— n , pl -sies
1. a. an opinion or doctrine contrary to the orthodox tenets of a religious body or church
b. the act of maintaining such an opinion or doctrine
2. any opinion or belief that is or is thought to be contrary to official or established theory
3. belief in or adherence to unorthodox opinion
Bible Dictionary
Heresy definition
from a Greek word signifying (1) a choice, (2) the opinion chosen, and (3) the sect holding the opinion. In the Acts of the Apostles (5:17; 15:5; 24:5, 14; 26:5) it denotes a sect, without reference to its character. Elsewhere, however, in the New Testament it has a different meaning attached to it. Paul ranks "heresies" with crimes and seditions (Gal. 5:20). This word also denotes divisions or schisms in the church (1 Cor. 11:19). In Titus 3:10 a "heretical person" is one who follows his own self-willed "questions," and who is to be avoided. Heresies thus came to signify self-chosen doctrines not emanating from God (2 Pet. 2:1).[/b]
I hope this helps. It is not the matter of what the difference between a cult and heresy is, but the fact that a cult teaches heresy. A heresy attempts to add to, or take away from the word of God.
In Christ,
Yvonne
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yvieraebrae
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Posted: 02-20-2012 6:55 pm
Post Number: 16458 |
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| Ask Mr. Religion wrote: | | huo wrote: | Now I understand it. Thank you all for the explanations.
I have another question on the meaning of "cult".
As far as I know there are two translations of the word into Chinese, one of which is "a devil, dangerous, anti-human religion branch"， whereas the other is "a branch of a religion that is different from the major".
What do we usually mean by saying a "cult"? What is the difference between a "cult" and a "heresy"?
thanks again |
Huo,
The Chinese word that you say is "a devil, dangerous, anti-human religion branch" would be what I would mean as "cult".
Cults are groups.
Within these groups will be leaders and members who no doubt believe heresies.
What is a heresy?
The Dictionary of Theological Terms describes heresy as follows:
| Dictionary of Theological Terms wrote: | | A {heresy is a} deliberate departure from Christian orthodoxy, together with the acceptance of error (2 Pet. 2:1). The basic meaning of the Greek word hairesis is “choice,” giving the meaning of heresy as a self-willed opinion in opposition to biblical truth. Such opinions frequently give rise to sects or parties (Acts 5:17; 15:5; 24:5, 14; 26:5; 28:22; 1 Cor. 11:19; Gal. 5:20). A heretic, therefore, is a sectarian. Thus he is to be cut off from church fellowship (Titus 3:10). |
By the way, the same Dictionary describes the word "cult" as follows:
| Dictionary of Theological Terms wrote: | Latin cultus, “worship”; etymologically, a system of religious worship, homage, or devotion. Theologically, it {the word cult} is used of those systems that profess to be Christian but that are antagonistic to the basic doctrines of Scripture, as for example, Mormonism, Russellism, etc.
Inherent in cult worship is the elevation of some authority to or beyond an equality with the Biblical revelation. Frequently, this takes the form of some special revelation claimed by the cult leader or some peculiar interpretation of Scripture that is binding on the adherents of the cult. The natural result is either a denial of Biblical authority, tacit or expressed, or a practical embargo on the freedom to ascertain and accept what the Bible teaches. Cults are naturally exclusive. Usually truth belongs to them alone. Salvation is found in them alone. They identify themselves as the church.
Thus a cult is, in effect, idolatry posing as Christianity, for whatever protestations are made to the contrary, worship based on a repudiation of fundamental Bible truth is idolatry. |
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Hi Patrick,
About the time you posted this excellent explanation, I was researching the same thing. If you think there is to much repitation of the same thing I will gladly delete my post. I did learn a lot though.
Yvonne
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