Reference no: EM133567422

Question: What is the difference between a religion and a cult? How are cults and religions related and how do they differ? Also I need positive feedback for this post !

Case Study: Many people who may not associate with any kind of faith often see religions and cults as one in the same. While they have similar aspects such as the following of one's teachings or beliefs, they also differ in many ways. Religions are classified as "a set of beliefs about God or some supernatural" while cults are described as "a group of people with extreme dedication to a certain leader or set of beliefs that are often viewed as odd by others." (Meleen). An easy way people like to differentiate cults and religions is by describing religion as just an old cult and cult as a new religious movement. Although it may seem silly to classify these two terms so closely with eachother, we as humans cannot deny that religions were once seen as a cult to outsiders when they were first getting started. Religions most of the time do not become a religion until it has withstood the test of time. Examples of this would be Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. At one point or another each of these religions were once seen as a "cult" to outside sources, but over time as these groups began to grow in number and stay relevant then they were able to be classified as a "religion". There are many characteristics that make up religions. These include the belief/worhsip in a higher power/God(s), sacred teachings and books, common spirtitual rituals, a set of impotant morals/principles, and etc. Cults also have various characteristics that define them but they differ from religous ones as they belive in one common leader, follower's lives are often dictated, and harsh methods such as "brainwashing", conversion, and even forms of abuse are used to keep followers close. Some examples of cults that can be described by these characteristics include: Jonestown, Branch Davidians, and Heaven's Gate. Another characteristic that cults have that religions do not is that most cults are a form of social movement. Meleen inserts that "For sociologists, a cult described a group with beliefs and practices that were socially deviant. Today, cults don't always deal with religious beliefs, but religions do." Many groups often get labeled as a cult or a religion by the state if the group partakes in harsh practices such as self harm, or other violent acts. In most cases many major religions have become what they are today due to their strong teachings and characteristics that have made them able to stand for hundreds of years. Cults on the other hand, often fail to become a strong group or "religion" because they tend to "self distruct" and their practices often push members away.