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NationMaster - Encyclopedia: Sect In the sociology of religion a sect is generally a small religious or political group that has broken off from a larger group, for example from a large, well-established religious group, like a denomination, usually due to a dispute about doctrinal matters. Sectarianism is sometimes defined in the sociology of religion as a worldview that emphasizes the unique legitimacy of believers' creed and practices and that heightens tension with the larger society by engaging in boundary-maintaining practices. A religious or political cult, by contrast, also has a high degree of tension with the surrounding society, but its beliefs are, within the context of that society, new and innovative. www.nationmaster.com /encyclopedia/Sect   (2226 words)

Cult (religion) - Definition, explanation 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 and cultist have recently accrued negative connotations that are separately dealt with at the entry cult. Among the observances in the cult of a deity are ritual, which may involve spoken or sung prayers or hymns, and often sacrifice, or substitutes for sacrifice. www.calsky.com /lexikon/en/txt/c/cu/cult__religion_.php   (376 words)

Definitions for Cult and Religion 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. 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. people.stu.ca /~gycwp/Definitions_for_Cult_and_Religion.html   (770 words)

Definition of terms: cults, sects, denominations Hinduism might be considered a cult in North America; Christianity might be considered a cult in India. The Christian religion, as it existed in 30 CE might be considered a cult involving one leader and 12 or 70 devoted disciples as followers. The implication is that the cult's theology is invalid; they teach heresy. www.religioustolerance.org /cults.htm   (2722 words)

Cult (religious practice) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia 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 and cultist have recently accrued negative connotations that are separately dealt with at the entry cult. Among the observances in the cult of a deity are rituals and ceremonies, which may involve spoken or sung prayers or hymns, and often sacrifice, or substitutes for sacrifice. en.wikipedia.org /wiki/Cult_(religion)   (483 words)

Cult - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia In religion and sociology, a cult is a cohesive group of people (often a relatively small and recently founded religious movement) devoted to beliefs or practices that the surrounding culture or society considers to be far outside the mainstream. Cults are groups that often exploit members psychologically and/or financially, typically by making members comply with leadership's demands through certain types of psychological manipulation, popularly called mind control, and through the inculcation of deep-seated anxious dependency on the group and its leaders. Cult, NRM and the sociology and psychology of religion en.wikipedia.org /wiki/Cult   (7918 words)

When does a cult become a religion? | Notes and Queries | Guardian Unlimited Cults, however, rely on secret or special knowledge which is revealed only to initiates by the cult's founder or his/her chosen representatives. Cults come and go, but those which survive and mature, develop into systems that are recognised as beneficial to society and individuals in that society. It is true that many religions (eg the Catholic Church) seek and rely on donations by members for the propagation of that religion and the support of its educational, charitable, liturgical and other functions. www.guardian.co.uk /notesandqueries/query/0,,-1659,00.html   (647 words)

Cults Cults are on the rise in China, and the Miao are not immune. Cults do not ordinarily stress doctrinal issues or theological argument and refinement as much as they emphasize the individual's experience of a more personal and intense relationship with the divine. Cults are different to guilds in that they do not worship a specific god and are usually a personality cult of the leader; although the leader may have other aims for their cult. lycos.cs.cmu.edu /info/cults.html   (422 words)

AllRefer.com - cult (Religion, General) - Encyclopedia cult, ritual observances involved in worship of, or communication with, the supernatural or its symbolic representations. The cult may be associated with a single person, place, or object or may have much broader associations. Many cults that have emerged in the United States since the late 1960s have been marked by renewed interest in mysticism and Asian religions, but many others have had Christian roots. reference.allrefer.com /encyclopedia/C/cult.html   (444 words)

Definition of terms: religion, sect, cult, denomination, branch, tradition Religions have committed the greatest sins in the name of religion, in the name of God… most religions!… including mass murders of innocent children, men and woman… and this is got to stop! A religion or religious sect generally considered to be extremist or false, with its followers often living in an unconventional manner under the guidance of an authoritarian, charismatic leader. Sects and Cults of Christianity- Eastern Sects and Cults, in Hinduism, Buddhism... www.biblia.com /christianity2/religion.htm   (1321 words)

TBK - What is a Cult? Secondly, cults have a double set of ethics, that is, one set of rules for use in the cult, and another for use with non-members. Cult is also defined as, "A religious sect generally construed to be extremist or bogus." In the case of the three cults studied above, this is certainly the case. Cult!" He or she is probably a cult unto him or herself. www.truthbeknown.com /cults.htm   (1536 words)

The Glory That Was Rome - Gods Religion and Worship   (Site not responding. Last check: ) If a religion or cult was liked and its rituals enjoyed it would find its way into the great city of Rome. While most cults and religions were not officially recognized the majority were tolerated. Cults and religions attracted followers who continued to worship Jupiter, Mars, and other important Roman gods. infohistory.com /religion.shtml   (536 words)

Real Religion Or Cult? - Captain Cynic Discussion Forums The religions people follow are earthly religions, and ironically when you are on your death bed the earthly institutions of religion become more and more unimportant. As to the cult statement, Anthropologicaly speaking a cult is a cult because it is not accepted in general society. Cults normally have a fluctuating membership (as opposed to a Religions' more permanent members) and follow a Prophet with theoretical or original ideas. www.captaincynic.com /thread/12294/real-religion-or-cult.htm   (1397 words)

Hârnic Religion, a Social Perspective Ethnic religions are those which are practiced, almost exclusively, by members of a distinct ethnic/national/racial group and which are, as a general rule, practiced by all members of that group, regardless of their status, wealth, or profession. In southern Hârn, Ilviranism has more of the character of a 'cult religion', although it is surely no accident that in Kaldor, the southern kingdom in which Ilviranism is strongest, families of pure Jarin descent have been "sufficiently numerous to retain much of their heritage" [Kaldor-2]. Cult religions are those whose memberships do not generally correspond to sociological groupings like ethnicity or caste, but instead revolve around "cult communities' that exist independent from identities of ethnicity or caste. pages.sbcglobal.net /harn-religion-team/general/social.html   (1663 words)

Cult - Psychology Wiki - a Wikia wiki   (Site not responding. Last check: ) Cults are groups that often exploit members psychologically and/or financially, typically by making members comply with leadership's demands through certain types of psychological manipulation, popularly called mind control, and through the inculcation of deep-seated anxious dependency on the group and its leaders. American novelist and critic Tom Wolfe gave the definition of cult as a religion which has no political power, inferring that there is no functional difference between religions and cults except their acceptance within the general community and the way they are perceived by others. Although in the atypical case she describes, the entire cult membership quit, more often rebellion is a combination of the walkaway and castaway patterns in that the rebellion may trigger the expulsion--essentially, the rebels provoke the cult leadership into being the agency of their break with an over-committed lifestyle. psychology.wikia.com /wiki/Cult   (7961 words)

The Marks of a Cult Cults have shifted their theological point of authority away from God's full and final written Word, the Bible, to their own unique, self-promoting opinions about the Bible; they generally will use parts of the Bible but will have their own unique scripture which is considered to be superior to the Bible. Moreover, when the cult leader announces himself as the true "Messiah," all others are declared to be dishonest, deceitful, and deluded, and must be put down; alternative views are denounced as being satanic and corrupt. Cults often demand total commitment by their converts to an organizational involvement that entangles them in a complicated set of human restrictions, giving the impression of passionate and often irrational devotion to a cause. www.rapidnet.com /~jbeard/bdm/Cults/marksof.htm   (1286 words)

cult or religion Shoko Asahara, Japanese man founded a cult called the Aum Supreme truth “This apocalyptic sect and its charismatic, blind leader are suspected of releasing Sarin gas in five Tokyo subway stations the morning of March 20, 1995, killing 12 people (one dying a year after the attack) and sickening more than 5,500 others. The religious cult is also suspected of a similar gas attack in June, 1994 in Matsumoto, a town north of Tokyo, that killed seven people and wounded 144. The cult leaders, who fear that their false claims would not stand the test of logic, warn their followers not to question God for this is the greatest sin. www.humanists.net /alisina/cult_or_religion.htm   (1878 words)

Worshipping at the Altar of Mac Belk argues Mac religion is based on myths surrounding the orgin of Apple, the savior status of Steve Jobs, and the devout faith of the Mac congregation. Religion, Belk said, is a belief structure that helps people make sense of the world. The "cult of Mac" is a set of beliefs about Apple and the Mac that make sense of the world of technology. www.wired.com /news/mac/0,2125,56674,00.html   (537 words)

TEN MARKS OF CULT RELIGION   (Site not responding. Last check: ) To analyze the extreme or grotesque forms of cult religion like that of Koresh's Branch Davidian community is a way of being more vigilant to false religion in us all. Cult religion provides few "reality checks." A reality check is when you go to another person or to a group and say, "I'm not sure I'm perceiving things correctly. Cult religion often thinks its hold on perfect truth excuses them from common ethical, moral, and legal structures of life. sub.namb.net /xxxhelplink/TH-CULT.asp   (1756 words)

Open Directory - Society: Religion and Spirituality: Fictional   (Site not responding. Last check: ) Cult Members Wiki - The Cult of the Infinite Mystery of the Banana exists in order to ponder, and revel in, the Infinite Mystery that is our cheerful, humorously shaped, tasty yellow friend. The Happy Danny Cult - A cult dedicated to avoiding confrontation with armed federal agents in a flimsy compound in Texas and providing the karma list, practical wisdom, and landmarks for a happy, healthy life. Weluvducsoha - The fictional religion co-founded by Zoel and Betty and plagued by the heretical HCM BrainCandy. dmoz.org /Society/Religion_and_Spirituality/Fictional   (1305 words)

Howstuffworks "Introduction to How Cults Work" The cults that make the news and drive fear through the hearts of parents sending their kids to college are the exception, not the rule. It can be said that a non-destructive religion or cult attempts to alleviate its members' vulnerability through spiritual guidance in an effort to help them exercise control over their own lives. First, many of these religions are founded by a single person who retains a position of exclusive power within the organization, and power tends to corrupt even the most ethical among us. people.howstuffworks.com /cult.htm   (789 words)

Alternative Religion or Cult? Religion is a matter of faith or belief. A cult is any group that under the guise of religion causes harm to its membership. What becomes confusing is that although a cult may claim a religious foundation, often the group is not about religious or spiritual belief at all, but is an economic ploy for the group’s leader. www.suite101.com /article.cfm/crime_deviance/85645   (419 words)

Ten Marks of a Cult Religion - NAMB.net To analyze the extreme or grotesque forms of cult religion like that of Koresh's Branch Davidian community is a way of being more vigilant to false religion in us all. Cult religion provides few "reality checks." A reality check is when you go to another person or to a group and say, "I'm not sure I'm perceiving things correctly. Cult religion often thinks its hold on perfect truth excuses them from common ethical, moral, and legal structures of life. www.namb.net /site/c.9qKILUOzEpH/b.695725/k.AA1F/Ten_Marks_of_a_Cult_Religion.htm   (1829 words)

KEO - RELIGION The founders of these religions are examples of the Creator's continuous involvement in world affairs in the form of periodic incarnations as a new prophet who brings salvation to the living. These movements were all spontaneous creations of various segments of the followers of the Cult who through intensive exposure to an outside religion would in time adopt and adapt enough of it to be able to pass as insiders, raise a messianic scepter, and try to overtake that neighboring religion. The multilingualism of the sacred works of this religion may be the result of a desire to communicate with these ethnically metamorphosed followers of the Cult, and to convey the Word to all interested people in the tongue most native to them. www.kurdistanica.com /english/religion/yazdani/cult.html   (5317 words)

What is a cult? - SPOTLIGHTING CULTS & HATE GROUPS - Care2.com A cult can be defined as a religion or religious sect generally considered to be extremist or false, with its followers often living in an unconventional manner under the guidance of an authoritarian, charismatic leader. Cults are self-serving; that is, most or all of money amassed in the cult - oftentimes taken from the group members to the degree that they are left impoverished - is under the control of the leader and used for his gratification, instead of for the needs of the group. When a religion tells you how to live your life, I consider it a cult.  We are all adults, and we know when we are hurting another person or the earth. www.care2.com /c2c/groups/disc.html?gpp=4633&pst=116070   (3631 words)

What is a Destructive Cult? The cult tends to be totalitarian in its control of the behavior of its members. Cults are likely to dictate in great detail what members wear, eat, when and where they work, sleep, and bathe-as well as what to believe, think, and say. Established religions teach members to be honest and truthful to all, and to abide by one set of ethics. www.factnet.org /rancho5.htm?FACTNet   (842 words)

World Religions and 101 Cults and Sects A to Z Index of religions, cults and sects, denominations and Traditions: To be in error in Religion, is to have a "cancer in the soul"... All religions and cults have something very good, that's why people is attracted to them!... www.religion-cults.com   (566 words)

GREEK AND ROMAN RELIGION The Cult of Isis and the Cult of Mithras, were serious rivals of the Christian faith. The attractiveness of this cult was partly due to the fact that it contained a story of death and resurrection, which is similar to the Christian faith. The correlation between the Cult of Mithras and Christianity are the similar celebrations of the birthdays of Mithras and Jesus; and the cakes eaten at cult meal can be related to the Christians communion where the cake or cracker represents Jesus' body. www.ecst.csuchico.edu /~brantler/homepage.html   (1382 words)

The Ancient Cult But the later domestic cult, having been developed out of the primal family-rite, indirectly represents the most ancient form of the religion, and should therefore be considered first in any study of Japanese social evolution. But of the earlier cult that must have preceded the home-worship, we have little testimony; and we can surmise its nature only by study of the natural history of ancestor-worship among peoples not yet arrived at a state of civilization. The domestic cult proper may not have been established until about the eighth century, when the spirit-tablet is supposed to have been introduced from China. www.sacred-texts.com /shi/jai/jai04.htm   (2025 words)

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