What differentiates a cult from a religion?

[giblets]

Is referring to something as a "cult" simply a way of saying "I don't like this religion"? Or is there an objective way to classify this?

[Proteus_MST]

The lower the number of adherents to a certain type of religion (compared to the accepted mainstream religions) the more likely this type of religion is classified as a cult.
Also the probbility (for a certain religion) o be classified as cult rises, the more away the religion is from the mainstream religion (for example, eastern religions in wetern countries) and the more their "relgious" practices contain things that are shunned by modern society (examples: Sex with children or (animal/human) sacrifices would immediately give a relligous group cult status)

Another example for differences (both as an example in the USA):
Brainwashing in combination with eastern religion (for example Baghwan or Hare Krsna) -> Cult
Brainwashing in combination with western religion (like in certain reborn evangelical movements and also Jesus Camps) -> No cult, just a different form of christianity

[Berzerker]

religions start out as cults, and if they last long enough without pissing people off too much, they graduate to religions

for example, Christianity was a cult when the Romans were persecuting it, then it became a religion when Rome embraced it

[BeBMan]

It's a cult when it gives soft drinks like Kool Aid a bad name. Works for me

[Dinner]

Popularity. They are all cults.

[Bereta_Eder]

Malevolance and autism

[Jon Miller]

The focus on a single person (living or recent in such a way that there are direct relationships).

So during Christ's life or early during the period of Paul you could say that Christianity was a cult.

Mormonism was initially a cult, but isn't now (Smith and Young).

Scientology is still a cult (Hubbard and Miscavige).

JM

[Jon Miller]

Basic rule of thumb:
Is it possible to have a disagreement about doctrine?

If the answer is no because everyone listens to one person, then it is a cult. If yes, then it isn't.

JM

[ZEE]

Beelzebub has been good to me. Burns my ass all the time, but makes me stronger in the process. And that's the ultimate point.

I don't recommend it as a treatment for the... weak minded. Leave it to the professional.

[Bereta_Eder]

AAHZ is not a cult. He is a religion

[ZEE]

Hey Paik, take a look at soem of the videos in my recent Unofficial AAHZ-Thradeâ„¢

Nothing but A-Listers, but my style has fallen deeper into the Horrorcore genre. You know: eating human meat. Having sex with... things. I think you'll love it.

[Alexander's Horse]

Your religion, that is a religion. All the rest are cults.

[Thoth]

The main difference between a cult and a religion is the spelling.

[Ben Kenobi]

There's a couple of ways to identify a cult.

One, and probably the biggest is that the Cult has locked services, that are only open to members. Even if they have 'open' and 'closed' services, the closed services will tend to be for members, and the open ones will be for 'recruitment.

Two, their 'scriptures' will be written by one of the present, living elders, or by someone recently removed.

Three, they tend to all have inerrancy with scriptures per se that can't be subject to examination by others. IE, the golden plates.

Four, they believe they are in competition with a person's family, friends, etc. They will try isolation tactics to limit the contact of a new believer with others.

Five, they all tend to have some beliefs about the eternal destruction of the human soul in hell. Why? Because it's a very important point to note that the human soul is imperishable.

[ZEE]

Welcome back Ben Kenobi!

I have had many spiritual journeys since our last talk but I have decided that Beelzebub is my god. He gives me actual results. I know when he is getting involved. It is not safe or pretty and I don't care. I'm ready to die tomorrow. I gangbang Crip every day at midnight. I am too old and have suffered from psychosis my whole life. I have already beat the odds. I don't care if people think it's fake or a "Schizophrenic thing." Beelzebub is real and he is with me. If I suffer for eternity because of it, so be it. I have decided.

I thought for a while that I was being trained by God to be a Kerubh. If so: I answer who better to teach me than one that WAS a Kerubh. AAHZ' path is clear.

BRING ON DEATH. AAHZ READY TO BANG.