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Great question. Here is the definition of "cult" from the Merriam-Webster's Online Dictionary--
1: formal religious veneration : worship2:a system of religious beliefs and ritual ; also : its body of adherents3: a religion regarded as unorthodox or spurious ; also : its body of adherents
So any religion can be considered a cult but in popular usage, "cult" has definition #3 above. Then it gets very subjective. For example, Christianity is the largest religion in the world but when it started, the religious establishment considered it "unorthodox or spurious". Debates rage over whether certain religions such as the Scientologists or the Mormons are a "cult" or a "mainstream religion". Some religions would consider any religion that is not itself a "cult".
So there is no "official" division between "cult" and "mainstream religion"--this is an entirely subjective opinion.
Certain "mainstream religions" are in my own personal opinion quite spurious or false, but are not considered "cults".
What else can I help you with?
What actors and actresses appeared in Cults and New Religions - 1998?
The cast of Cults and New Religions - 1998 includes: Sun Myung Moon as himself
What has the author David V Barrett written?
David V Barrett has written: 'Sects, 'cults' and alternative religions' -- subject(s): Religions, Cults, Sects
How many pagan religions did the roman empire had?
Because if was so large, the Roman empire had innumerable pagan cults or "religions". However dealing with Rome itself, there were, in addition to small local cults, three main cults that could be considered religions in that they had set rites and rituals and days of celebration. These were the cults of Mithra, Cybele, and Isis.
What has the author William A Young written?
William A. Young has written: 'The world's religions' -- subject(s): Religions, Cults, Sects, Religion 'Quest for harmony' -- subject(s): Religion, Indians of North America 'The world's religions' -- subject(s): Religions, Cults, Sects, Religion
What religions didn't Romans like?
The Romans were tolerant of almost all religions or cults. The only ones that they acted against were the ones which preached treason, such as Christianity, (at least some of the time) and those cults which they considered dangerous to public morals such as the cult of Bacchus.The Romans were tolerant of almost all religions or cults. The only ones that they acted against were the ones which preached treason, such as Christianity, (at least some of the time) and those cults which they considered dangerous to public morals such as the cult of Bacchus.The Romans were tolerant of almost all religions or cults. The only ones that they acted against were the ones which preached treason, such as Christianity, (at least some of the time) and those cults which they considered dangerous to public morals such as the cult of Bacchus.The Romans were tolerant of almost all religions or cults. The only ones that they acted against were the ones which preached treason, such as Christianity, (at least some of the time) and those cults which they considered dangerous to public morals such as the cult of Bacchus.The Romans were tolerant of almost all religions or cults. The only ones that they acted against were the ones which preached treason, such as Christianity, (at least some of the time) and those cults which they considered dangerous to public morals such as the cult of Bacchus.The Romans were tolerant of almost all religions or cults. The only ones that they acted against were the ones which preached treason, such as Christianity, (at least some of the time) and those cults which they considered dangerous to public morals such as the cult of Bacchus.The Romans were tolerant of almost all religions or cults. The only ones that they acted against were the ones which preached treason, such as Christianity, (at least some of the time) and those cults which they considered dangerous to public morals such as the cult of Bacchus.The Romans were tolerant of almost all religions or cults. The only ones that they acted against were the ones which preached treason, such as Christianity, (at least some of the time) and those cults which they considered dangerous to public morals such as the cult of Bacchus.The Romans were tolerant of almost all religions or cults. The only ones that they acted against were the ones which preached treason, such as Christianity, (at least some of the time) and those cults which they considered dangerous to public morals such as the cult of Bacchus.
How did the romans treat other religions?
The Romans were very tolerant of other religions. The toleration and in some cases incorporation of foreign gods and beliefs, was part of the reasons for Rome's success. The only time they were intolerant of a belief was if they considered the religion decadent or treasonous. Then they came down hard of them.
What is Sikhisms major denominations?
religions, sects or cults which have evolved from Sihkism
What is a mainstream church?
The phrase "mainstream church" usually refers to the main or major Christian groups of the world, such as the Roman Catholic or the Eastern Orthodox Church. The opposite is the lesser-known or obscure groups, sometimes referred to as cults or sects.
Is jehovahs witnesses evil?
No, the more fanatical religions that breed cults can be though if message in misinterpreted.
What religion was banned from the roman empire?
The three main religions that were banned from the Roman empire were the rites of Bacchus, Druidism, and Christianity. Over the long history of the Roma empire there were many minor cults that were either banned and then reinstated or simply went out of fashion. The Romans were very tolerant of "foreign" religions or cults as long as they did not promote treason, public unrest or decadence.The three main religions that were banned from the Roman empire were the rites of Bacchus, Druidism, and Christianity. Over the long history of the Roma empire there were many minor cults that were either banned and then reinstated or simply went out of fashion. The Romans were very tolerant of "foreign" religions or cults as long as they did not promote treason, public unrest or decadence.The three main religions that were banned from the Roman empire were the rites of Bacchus, Druidism, and Christianity. Over the long history of the Roma empire there were many minor cults that were either banned and then reinstated or simply went out of fashion. The Romans were very tolerant of "foreign" religions or cults as long as they did not promote treason, public unrest or decadence.The three main religions that were banned from the Roman empire were the rites of Bacchus, Druidism, and Christianity. Over the long history of the Roma empire there were many minor cults that were either banned and then reinstated or simply went out of fashion. The Romans were very tolerant of "foreign" religions or cults as long as they did not promote treason, public unrest or decadence.The three main religions that were banned from the Roman empire were the rites of Bacchus, Druidism, and Christianity. Over the long history of the Roma empire there were many minor cults that were either banned and then reinstated or simply went out of fashion. The Romans were very tolerant of "foreign" religions or cults as long as they did not promote treason, public unrest or decadence.The three main religions that were banned from the Roman empire were the rites of Bacchus, Druidism, and Christianity. Over the long history of the Roma empire there were many minor cults that were either banned and then reinstated or simply went out of fashion. The Romans were very tolerant of "foreign" religions or cults as long as they did not promote treason, public unrest or decadence.The three main religions that were banned from the Roman empire were the rites of Bacchus, Druidism, and Christianity. Over the long history of the Roma empire there were many minor cults that were either banned and then reinstated or simply went out of fashion. The Romans were very tolerant of "foreign" religions or cults as long as they did not promote treason, public unrest or decadence.The three main religions that were banned from the Roman empire were the rites of Bacchus, Druidism, and Christianity. Over the long history of the Roma empire there were many minor cults that were either banned and then reinstated or simply went out of fashion. The Romans were very tolerant of "foreign" religions or cults as long as they did not promote treason, public unrest or decadence.The three main religions that were banned from the Roman empire were the rites of Bacchus, Druidism, and Christianity. Over the long history of the Roma empire there were many minor cults that were either banned and then reinstated or simply went out of fashion. The Romans were very tolerant of "foreign" religions or cults as long as they did not promote treason, public unrest or decadence.
What were the mystery cults?
Mystery cults were religious organizations in ancient Greece and Rome that offered secret rituals and teachings to select members. These cults focused on personal salvation and promising an afterlife in contrast to the state-sponsored religions of the time. Examples include the Eleusinian Mysteries and the Cult of Isis.
History of cults and religions?
I would like to know when and where did the religion of Jehova's wittnesses start. I would like to know if it is considered a cult of a religion.
