Is Morman religion a cult

Answer 1

A cult is defined as "a particular system of religious worship" or "a group or sect bound together by veneration of the same thing, person, ideal, etc." (dictionary.com) Many people think of a cult as a group of people that might be unordinary or that performs strange rituals. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is not considered a cult any more than the Catholic or Protestant churches. It's members are bound together because they all worship Jesus Christ, and they all follow the counsel of central Church leaders (a Prophet -similar to the Catholic Pope- and 12 Apostles). Church members participate in their cities and communities and do not sequester themselves on 'compounds' out in the wilderness, as many 'cults' do. They do perform some 'rituals', such as the Sacrament (Communion or Lord's Supper) and Baptism, as well as prayer and temple worship. The temple worship service (separate from Sunday Services) is sacred and not discussed outside of temple walls, but is entirely focused on Jesus Christ. The Church is open and welcoming to all who would like to participate in worship services or just learn more about their beliefs and doctrines. If you want more information on the beliefs of the Church, you can go to one of your local Latter Day Saint churches on Sundays. There will be someone there who can refer you to the missionaries of the church. Or you may visit one of the Church's official websites, which are included below.

Answer 2

You answered you're own question. It's a religion not a cult. But of course it depends on how you define cult. At one point in it's history (like every other religion) it was technically a cult because it was a small group of people with different beliefs, but now it has almost 14 million members and is known everywhere.

Answer 3

The definition of "cult" is "a system of religious worship" or "followers of a system of religious practices". By that definition every religion is a cult, including those religions in the Latter-day Saint Movement. However, when people typically think of a cult they think of a people living in a closed society or compound and follow a single charismatic leader. While there are some offshoot branches within the LDS Movement who fit that definition, the largest branches (such as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the Community of Christ) are not that way at all. Their members are everyday people who live and work in regular society.

Check out the "Related Links" below to see one of the Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the "Mormon" church - largest LDS Movement church) answer this question.

Answer 4

The definition of a cult is "A system of religious veneration and devotion directed toward a particular figure or object." By that definition, nearly every religion or faith system is a cult. Mormons worship and venerate God the Father and Jesus Christ and are devoted to living their lives in service to God. Their worship practices are very similar to other Christians. So by this technical definition of a cult, yes, Mormons and all religions are a cult.

However, groups that are considered a 'cult' are usually small insular groups that are quite secretive and are closed off from society. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the "Mormon" church) does not fit that definition. There are over 14 million Mormons worldwide (there are approximately as many Mormons as there are Jews). Mormons do not live in closed off communities but live in regular neighborhoods all around the world. They are very active in serving their communities, dress in everyday clothes, have regular jobs, and embrace modern technology. Mormons are not insular or secretive but strive to share their beliefs with anyone who will listen. They have over 50,000 missionaries worldwide going door to door teaching others about their faith and have extensive materials online so that anyone interested may research their faith. Mormons accept anyone in the Church and also allow anyone to leave. So by this common definition of a cult, no, the LDS Church is not a cult.

You can check out the "Related Links" below to go to the Mormon church's official websites and decide if they are a cult for yourself.

Answer 5

No. The government of the United States recognizes the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the "Mormon" church) as a real bona-fide registered religious organization or church with over six million American members. The Mormon church and the United States government have generally had a very good relationship over the past century.

Answer 6

The technical definition of a cult is "A system of religious veneration and devotion directed toward a particular figure or object." By this definition, any religion that worships anything or anyone is a cult. (including all Christians, Muslims, Jews, Buddhists, and Hindus)

The popular definition of a cult is a small group of people living on a compound or outside of normal society with a charismatic leader, usually having strange practices. Mormons do not fit this definition. Mormons live in regular homes and neighborhoods and participate in mainstream society. They have jobs, use modern technology, and wear the same clothing as everyone else. While they may be small in relation to the world population, there are over 14 million of them worldwide. Their worship services are open to the public and they work hard to spread their message.

There are some splinter groups that left the Mormon church which many consider to be a cult. The most well-known is the FLDS church, which usually lives in closed compounds, wears 1800's style clothing, and practices polygamy.

Check out the "Related Links" to learn more about Mormons and see other Mormons respond to this question.