Cults and Religions…

First, let me plant this conundrum in your head:

At what point does a religion become a cult?  Or, is it a cult that can become a religion, when it can get enough “community backing/validation?” (see for example orthodox religions)

Like the chicken and the egg, can one be the predecessor, or successor, of the other?  Okay, hold that thought…

Next, let’s get some working definitions from Mirriam-Webster, so that we can all be on somewhat the same page:

Cult

1 :

a religion regarded as unorthodox or spurious (not genuine, false)

also : its body of adherents

2

a : great devotion to a person, idea, object, movement, or work

b : the object of such devotion

c : a usually small group of people characterized by such devotion

3 :

a system of religious beliefs and ritual

also : its body of adherents

4 :

formal religious veneration : WORSHIP

 

Religion

 

1 :    

a personal set or institutionalized system of religious attitudes, beliefs, and practices

2 :

a:         (1): the service and worship of God or the supernatural

(2): commitment or devotion to religious faith or observance

3 :       

a cause, principle, or system of beliefs held to with ardor and faith

I guess a lot of mixing and matching can happen here.  Also, some essentially contested concepts (ECCs) are scattered throughout.  But let’s try to work with what we got. 

Here are the questions:

Q1: Where do you draw your line in distinguishing between a cult versus a religion?  What is the defining/pivotal quality(ies) that make them one or the other?  I.e., those “gotta haves” that the other doesn’t. 

Q2: How do you know when someone has crossed over the religion line into becoming a cult member?  What does that take?  E.g.,

• When their religion occupies xx% of their day/week
• When there is a manipulative element to their activities
• When they seem to have lost all ability to think for themselves and depend on a figurehead for instructions
• Other