A cult is usually defined as a "a religion or religious sect generally considered to be extremist or false, with its followers often living in an unconventional manner under the guidance of an authoritarian, charismatic leader", is also often considered as a "obsessive, especially faddish, devotion to or veneration for a person, principle, or thing". It is also characterized for being "young in years of existence" and having usually "only relatively few followers". A religion in change is defined as a "personal or institutionalized system grounded in the belief, worship and reverence for a supernatural power or powers regarded as creator and governor of the universe". It also has a "set of beliefs, values, and practices based on the teachings of a spiritual leader". Religions are usually "ancient or very old in years" and have "millions of followers". Therefore, a religion is not necessarily a cult, but a cult is always a religion. Being a cult a religion usually characterized by radicalism, oddness, obsession, short number of years, small number of followers and guidance by a founder who almost all the times tend to be authoritarian. Another particularity is that in cults, you found that in many cases the cult-followers worship the founder as God himself. About the comments (with bad ratings) :( I don't know why some people think that Jehova's Witnesses and Mormons are cults. They comply with every requisite to be religions and not to be considered cults. Besides, I used the words "usually" and "relatively" referrering to the small number of followers. You can't put in the same category the "Mormon Church" and the "Cult of the Followers of the Purple Rose"!

There are many different answers to this question, but the best one I've heard was from a man who worked full-time at rescuing and deprogramming cult members. (He was usually hired by their families.) He said that a religion teaches you how to be in the world, while a cult tries to take you out of the world. He explained that a religion gives its members guidance and support in how to survive and get along out in the world. And then he pointed out that cults always try to isolate their members from the world. Cults want their members to live together, usually in isolation, and break off all contact with friends or family who aren't also members of the cult. So far that's the only difference I've found that holds up in every case, and doesn't support someone calling another religion a "cult" just because they don't agree with it.

This is all about which meaning of the words you want to use. A "religion" can be any collection of people will similar beliefs about morality or the supernatural, or, I suppose, the unique moral foundations of any individual or group. "Cult" also has several meanings. Many in the historic Christian faith (and perhaps other religions) use the term "cult" for groups that claim the title of the faith ("Christian" for example) but do not hold to the essentials of that traditional faith. It is using this definition of the word that traditional Christians label Christian Science, LDS, Jehovah's Witnesses and others as cults. One of the many examples of this is the LDS church teaching that "as man is, God once was." This teaching is heretical to both Jews and traditional Christianity and (along with many other disagreements) earns them the label "cult" among traditional Christians. In this sense, Christian Science, LDS or any of several similar groups is classed as both a religion and as a cult.

The number of members. Even Christianity was once considered a cult. However, the term cult may also have more negative connotations and be used to refer to those religious groups that require strict obedience and try to keep its members away from influences outside the cult (ex., by not allowing them to contact family or friends that are not part of the cult).

Not much difference but you decide. What is a cult? A. Generally, it is a group that is unorthodox, esoteric, and has a devotion to a person, object, or a set of new ideas. i. New Teaching - has a new theology and doctrine. ii. Only True Teaching - often considers traditional religious systems to be apostate and it alone possess the complete truth. iii. Strong Leadership - often an individual or small but powerful leadership group holds control of the group's teachings and practices. iv. Asset Acquirement - often requires tithing and/or property transfer to the religious system. v. Isolationist - to facilitate control over the members physically, intellectually, financially, and emotionally. vi. Controlling - exercises control over the members. Sometimes this is through fear, threatening lose of salvation if you leave the group. Sometimes through indoctrination. vii. Indoctrination - possesses methods to reinforce the cult's beliefs and standards where opposing views are ridiculed and often misrepresented. viii. Apocalyptic - to give the members a future focus and philosophical purpose in avoiding the apocalypse or being delivered through it. ix. Experience - various practices including meditation, repetition of words and/or phrases, and 'spiritual' enlightenment with God are used as confirmation of their truth. http://www.carm.org/cults/cultic.htm Religion from Latin religare to bind back, implying obligation; or from relegere to select, distinguish among various elements for the choosing of the best; ponder. In theosophy individual religion of conduct means faith in his own essential divinity as a source of wisdom and an unerring and infallible guide in conduct; an ever-growing realization of that truth, an ever-growing consciousness of one's spiritual identity with the divine in nature; and constant devotion to the ideals thus inspired. Religion means a self-sacrificing devotion to truth, a resolve to live in harmony with all other lives, a sacrificing of the personal self to the greater self. http://www.theosociety.org/pasadena/etgloss/red-roos.htm Religion is a set of attitudes, beliefs, and practices pertaining to supernatural power. Try to count the number of religions and explore the fear tactics they use. Not much different than a cult.

According to Webster's Dictionary, "cult" has 5 definitions: 1. A formal religious veneration. 2. A system of religious beliefs and ritual; also, its body of adherents. 3. A religion regarded as unorthodox or spurious; also, its body of adherents. 4. A system for the cure of disease based on dogma set forth by its promulgator (example: health cults). 5. A great devotion to a person, idea, object, movement, or work (as a film or book); especially such devotion regarded as a literary or intellectual fad; also its body of adherents (example: a cult classic). Definition #3 is most used in Christendom (the broad range of Christian denominations). Some will define as a cult any denomination that doesn't profess what the majority of others do. Obvioulsy, those that worship the devil would be considered a "cult" under this definition, since that definitely goes against Christianity as a whole. Mormonism is held by some as a cult, because the Book of Mormon is part of their doctrinal authority, whereas much of Christianity holds that the Bible is the sole authority. Of course, one could then get into arguments about Christian creeds, papal edicts and such extra-Biblical doctrines and dogmas; and they would have a plausible point. Nevertheless, I hope you get my point, and that it helps or makes sense.

I think cult generally has a dark, or subversive connotation to it.

Semantics. The difference is in the eye of the beholder. No one thinks THEIR religion is a cult.

In my view there is not a lot of difference. I attended a church back in my twenties. They preyed on the venerable. They focussed on and fussed over young people with emotional problems. Needless to say I backed off and wanted nothing to do with it. I have also been a part of groups that might be called ‘cultish’ by some people. There is not much difference. I prefer to go solo these day. I do my own research. And I don’t believe everything I read. And neither should you.... That also goes for what I have just written. Do your own research and make up your own mind.

Nothing really. Cults are just extreme religions.

I think there are many things which can indicate that something MAY be a cult, but there are gray areas. Some indicators include: *If you are not merely encouraged, but required to give money in order to participate in the most sacred rituals. *If you are not allowed to read material that opposes your curch. *If you send people door-to-door recruiting new members, and give evasive answers to their more difficult questions. I am, of course referring to a well known "religion" that I recently considered joining. Yes I am aware that I may be bombarded by negative ratings, but I have fairly strong feelings on the subject.

well, im sure webster would say differently, but there isnt one. it isnt a bad thing, because not all cults suck. but yeah, same thing

You are not born cult follower you join it by choice not by birth.

A religion is more mainstream,and a cult is not.

The religion is the system of beliefs that usually include the supernatural (creation, incarnation, god, etc); the cult is the organized group of people who follow those beliefs. A cult could also just be a following of a group of people, not necessarily religious, but more so it is. And you can be religious yourself and not be involved in a cult.

A cult discourages scrutiny. A religion invites it. A cult has body guards. A religion has guardian angels.

A cult is a small group, usually isolated, and usually following a single individual who claims to be inspired by a divinity, or is the sole source of information and dictation. Usually this sole individual requires his minions to give of thier belongings to him/her including in some cases the wives or access to the women sexually. Does not usually have teachings or ideas that can be confirmed or backed up by anything and discourages association outside and is usually not cooperative with government and law enforcement. All cults claim to be a religion, but not all religions qualify as cults. A religion usually has the backing or recognition by the governing system. Ask how the government determines which religions to recognize and which ones not to recognize.

The difference between a cult and a religion is in the eye of the beholder. The word "cult" is attached to a gathering of people that is widily believed to be practicing outside of the norm, while religion is attached to a gathering of people that is largily agreed with. Cults tend to be young due to the fact that they have not been widily accepted. Even Chrisianity was once deemed a threatening cult in midevil times and many attempts where made to dimolish it up until it had gained enough followers to deem it a religion. For the most part now, in this day and age, cult does indicate a group of people with a twisted view. But in the true sense of the word it is nothing more than a group of people whose beliefs are outside of what the whole of society believes is acceptable.

The English word cult comes from the Latin cultus meaning worship. In one definition, any religion can be considered a cult. However the most common current definition of cult is a religion or religious sect generally considered to be extremist or false, with its followers often living in an unconventional manner under the guidance of an authoritarian, charismatic leader. According to the Cult Information Centre, every cult can be defined as a group having all of the following five characteristics: 1. It uses psychological coercion to recruit, indoctrinate and retain its members. 2. It forms an elitist totalitarian society. 3. Its founder leader is self-appointed, dogmatic, messianic, not accountable and has charisma. 4. It believes 'the end justifies the means' in order to solicit funds recruit people. 5. Its wealth does not benefit its members or society. http://www.cultinformation.org.uk/faq.html#cult With love in Christ.

There's more people in a religion. Cults are usually younger mini-religions (that may not last as long).

poison koolaid

The majority of the religions are cults.

Numbers, I reckon! 200 devotees and it's a cult. 2 million devotees and it's a religion...

I'm not convinced that there is a difference.

matching outfits and proclivity for Koolaid

Public acceptance.

Suicide pacts

Religion is just larger and more massive. Like that of a lake and an ocean.

When used to describe a religious group (as opposed to a religious act: e.g., paying cult to Shiva, or the cult of the martyrs) the word cult has 2 principle definitions, one sociological, one theological. The sociological definition is popular in the secular media, and is the one most people are familiar with, though sometimes odd sects and religions get labled a "cult" of this kind, even though the lable is unfair. From this perspective, a cult is a religious or semi-religious sect whose members are controlled almost entirely by a single individual or by an organization, often living in a totalitarian communal compound. This kind of cult is manipulative, demanding total commitment and loyalty from its followers. Converts are usually cut off from all former associations, including their own families, where no contact is permitted. The Hare Krishnas, the Family of Love led by Moses David Berg, and Sun Myung Moon’s Unification Church are some examples of this kind of a cult. Brainwashing techniques and gulag-like "re-education" are also common, subjecting the new member (or dissident old member) to total isolation - or the complete denial of all privacy - sleep deprivation, no-protein/high-carb diets, and an onslaught of physical, verbal, emotional, psychological, and/or sexual abuse. Typically, if the member becomes disenchanted, he can't just leave the cult: he has to escape it. The second way to define a cult is popular in evangelical Christian circles. From this perspective, a cult is any self-professed Christian group that deviates from the orthodox teachings of the historic Christian faith derived from the Bible and confirmed through the ancient ecumenical creeds. These groups deny or distort fundamental Christian doctrines such as the Trinity and the deity of Christ, and typically teach salvation by works. A cult by this definition is a splinter group/sect that typically (a) claims they are the only true Church, (b) that membership/initiation into their church and their church alone is necessary for salvation, and (c) that all other Christian sects and denominations are apostate, heretical and detestable -- all "abominations" before the Lord. Some cults that would fall into this category are the Mormons, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Christian Science, The Way International, The International Church of Christ, The Philippines Church of Christ, and the Unity School of Christianity. There have been many cults that met both definitions: the Branch Davidians, Jim Jones' group, and the early Mormons, to name but a few.

A religion is a cult with a significant number of members in government

Probably a few million...

A little off point, however it is documented that a carpenter's son who amassed followers along the shore of the Sea of Galilee about 1960 years ago, was considered a "Cult" leader by the various Jewish Sects of the day. He even had the nerve to attend the Temple and participate in a question and answer session with High Priests of the Temple. He was so charismatic and so many people were drawn to him that the local Religious Leaders set about to take hm down. They mis-represented his statements and placed false reports of his activities at the feet of the local Law Enforcers. Pontious Pilot and Governor Herod. At least that what I read. So in some cases a "Cult" is in the eyes of the beholder" I would not be surpised to learn that many of the various "accepted" reliions of our time had their infancy as "Cults".

There is no difference. A religion can be a cult and a cult can be a religion. Is one moved by man or God? That is why it says, one must work out there own salvation with fear and trembling. It all comes down to waiting on God.

A religion doesn't cause harm, or need to keep secrets from anyone. A sect is a small group branched off a mainstream religion i.e Christianity. Sects can often be put on "cult watch" ie. the destiny church, because the members tend to be brainwashed, cause harm to themselves etc, because on the one main leader gone mad.

Population. :o)

Some say a community or system of plp of religious worship or rituals. Religion is a practices of unified expression. Usually a cult is a religioous practice that excludes others and practices in isolation to control.

What is a cult: "A cult is a group or movement exhibiting a great or excessive devotion or dedication to some person, idea, or thing and employing unethically manipulative techniques of persuasion and control (e.g., isolation from former friends and family, debilitation, use of special methods to heighten suggestibility and subservience, powerful group pressures, information management, suspension of individuality or critical judgment, promotion of total dependency on the group and fear of leaving it, etc.) designed to advance the goals of the group’s leaders to the actual or possible detriment of members, their families, or the community." (West & Langone, 1986) http://hometown.aol.com/carol2180/wcult.htm What is a religion: "A religion is a set of beliefs and practices, often centered upon specific supernatural and moral claims about reality, the cosmos, and human nature, and often codified as prayer, ritual, and religious law. Religion also encompasses ancestral or cultural traditions, writings, history, and mythology, as well as personal faith and mystic experience. The term "religion" refers to both the personal practices related to communal faith and to group rituals and communication stemming from shared conviction". http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religion You have two descriptions taken from the Internet. Regards.

I'm not certain, but I think it's that a cult does not believe in Christ as our savior.

Basically, in a religion, the religious leader is like a messenger and a sign post pointing the way to a God and guiding people to God with God's messages ... in a cult, the cult leader is like a funnel and insists that the way to God is only through him/her and their personal interpretation of God and God's messages.

Population.

I would say there really is no difference, the line's blurred so much religion is pretty much cult.

Religions have more of a following.

Religions let you come and go as you please. Cults don't.

cults don't necessarily have to be religious, they are just a group of people obsessed by a specific thing.

Yes and no. Do you consider yourself to be a good person?

Very little. Most religions fit the definition of cults but the word cult make people think negative. Most of the time they are right. When I think of cults I think of things like, total control, brain wash, abuse, held captive and things like that and most religions are not like that but there are some you read about.

Strictly speaking, the two are the same thing.

I can only speak for my religion. It's my understanding that any religion that doesn't believe in a Triune God is a cult. That's what I believe, but everyone else is entitled to their belief and perspective also. I'm not trying to change anyone else's opinion.

By definition, a religion is a cult. 1: formal religious veneration : worship 2: a system of religious beliefs and ritual; also : its body of adherents 3: a religion regarded as unorthodox or spurious; also : its body of adherents 4: a system for the cure of disease based on dogma set forth by its promulgator <health cults> 5 a: great devotion to a person, idea, object, movement, or work (as a film or book); especially : such devotion regarded as a literary or intellectual fad b: the object of such devotion c: a usually small group of people characterized by such devotion http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cult Did you mean to ask about destructive cults? http://www.religioustolerance.org/destruct.htm

in my eyes, none really. they both require belief in certain dogma and non believers are usually relegated to some kind of punishment by their higher power but believers are rewarded.

I'd say size and political power.

A cult is any religion that A; the majority of people don't understand, B; the majority of people dislike, or C; requires you to drink arsenic-laced Kool-Aid in preparation for the arrival of the mothership.

Duplicate....

people did believe what jesus was getting together was a cult. a cult doesn't last, religions last over years and years and years. cults come and go.

It was a cult...just sort of caught on and spread big time.

Religion started long before Jesus and the jews were actually being corected by Him which is why they hung him on a cross. But Jesus quoted old testament scripture lots and there was not any written bibles in homes then. So a cult could be based on something w/o a whole lot of history. People are always looking to destroy, deny or replace Jesus and what they come up with could be considered a cult.

If religion is the plant, than a cult is the seed. A cult includes a leader, and a group of followers that are viewed by society as having an extremist viewpoint on spirituality & the meaning of life. In time, a cult will either a)lose followers; wither and disappear or b)gain followers and become something more socially accepted, at which point, it is called a religion. In the United States, the most recent example of a cult becoming a religion is Mormonism. Read "Under the Banner of Heaven" for a good example of how a cult becomes a religion.

Sometimes not very much at all.

Many people believe in a religion. Several people believe in a cult.

I believe that there are so many angry people out their that block the truth of God and the beauty of faith itself. Most faith's have no idea who founded their church was if man or Jesus and what chruch is the oldest of all the christain churches is it the most hated one? why? because it is from Jesus Himself and he was the one who founded His church and it is hated because it holds the truth and stays with the law of Moses and will not change for the people it is the true church and it has no hate only people hate and it is hated for it's truth. It's a church that disagrees with the new laws of the world. As Jesus would ! He said my chruch.And upon this rock I will build my church, it was those who hated the laws who established their own faith and raised their children to not understand of respect Are you going to found out the histroy of the church you follow. Who founded it and why be sure stop believe what you yourself has not reserched to have in having a voice. May God bless your journey stop the fight stand for the truth Don't be blinded like Saul latter turned to Paul Love one another like John and that means to love Jesus's and also his mother who brought him to us to be save that was not easy having your heart be pierced. She works for Him like we work for Him she serves her Son like we serve Him she brings many to her Son heart because of her love for Him and us. would it be right to say I love you Jesus but don't want to except your mother. Find the truth and be with the truth before you will be asked why you disrespect his own and loving mother what is with that!

the RCC Mother of All cults What is the requirement for being a cult? According to the American Heritage Dictionary, ISBN 0-395-20360-0, 1969-1976, p321. Cult (kult) n. 1. A system or community of religious worship and ritual, especially one focusing upon a single deity or spirit. 2a. Obsessive devotion or veneration for a person, principle, or ideal. 2b. An exclusive group of persons, sharing an esoteric (mysterious or secret) interest. It is upon the latter two definitions that I will build my case, as definition number one is somewhat ambiguous, and quite frankly may even be applied to Judaism, and Islam. As a matter of fact, it appears from the Christian biased definition that only polytheistic religions do not qualify as a cult. http://sabbatarian.110mb.com/index.html

Not much...religion is pulled by tradition and doctrine...same as a cult. BUT I disagree with many religions...in fact against most...and I am against any cult. BUT...there is spirituality and there is a GOD...but even Jesus in the old day was against the "major religion" of that time. So its saying, many religions do not know God....and it leads people to a dark confused place...same as a cult.

forget those imaginary concepts and ideas. "Cults" are imaginary, made from Lucifer and so is religion. the idea and concept of religion is a creation of confusion of Lucifer. Let the truth be known. Seek truth. Seek and you shall find. The Holy Father, Lord in Heaven, King of the Universe, is the One True G-d, IS THE LIVING G-D. HALLOWED BE HIS NAME. youtube.com/daanielsong YOUTUBE>Interview with an Ex Vampire tp://home.iae.nl/users/lightnet/world/essays.htm http://www.atgpress.com/kifap/britcol/b1.htm --"When Cornwallis surrendered to Washington he surrendered the battle, not the war. Read the Article of Capitulation signed by Cornwallis at Yorktown (footnote 3) Jonathan Williams recorded in his book, Legions of Satan, 1781, that Cornwallis revealed to Washington during his surrender that "a holy war will now begin on America, and when it is ended America will be supposedly the citadel of freedom, but her millions will unknowingly be loyal subjects to the Crown."...."in less than two hundred years the whole nation will be working for divine world government. That government that they believe to be divine will be the British Empire.""-- --- ...Therefore come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Depart, depart, go out from there! Touch no unclean thing! Come out from it and be pure, you who carry the vessels of the LORD. Come out of her, my people, so that you will not share in her sins" "The merchants of the earth will weep and mourn over her because no one buys their cargoes any more-- {12} cargoes of gold, silver, precious stones and pearls; fine linen, purple, silk and scarlet cloth; every sort of citron wood, and articles of every kind made of ivory, costly wood, bronze, iron and marble; {13} cargoes of cinnamon and spice, of incense, myrrh and frankincense, of wine and olive oil, of fine flour and wheat; cattle and sheep; horses and carriages; and bodies and souls of men. BODIES AND SOULS OF MEN. the illuminati, "the enlightened", they follow Lucifer, "the light bearer" and if you haven't read, most of our "presidents" were masons/illuminati and were loyal to the "british empire" though really if you've seen this video, when people swear allegiance to the "crown" they swear allegiance to a corperation that rules the world basically and as you can guess, is controlled by Lucifer. On http://www.illuminati-news.com/Articles/149.html Illuminati Document, Presented by Wes Penre, Apr 09, 2008 Introduction by Wes Penre, Illuminati News I can't guarantee the authenticity of this document, although the context pretty much describes the truth as it is. We don't know when it was written and exactly by whom, but it looks like it was composed by a British person if we look at the spelling of words, which is British English. This information was sent to me by someone who for obvious reasons wants to be anonymous. This person gave me this reply when I asked if he/she could verify the authenticity of it: THE SECRET COVENANT An illusion it will be, so large, so vast it will escape their perception. Those who will see it will be thought of as insane. We will create separate fronts to prevent them from seeing the connection between us. We will behave as if we are not connected to keep the illusion alive. Our goal will be accomplished one drop at a time so as to never bring suspicion upon ourselves. This will also prevent them from seeing the changes as they occur. We will always stand above the relative field of their experience for we know the secrets of the absolute. We will work together always and will remain bound by blood and secrecy. Death will come to he who speaks. We will keep their lifespan short and their minds weak while pretending to do the opposite. We will use our knowledge of science and technology in subtle ways so they will never see what is happening. We will use soft metals, ageing accelerators and sedatives in food and water, also in the air. They will be blanketed by poisons everywhere they turn. The soft metals will cause them to lose their minds. We will promise to find a cure from our many fronts, yet we will feed them more poison. The poisons will be absorbed through their skin and mouths, they will destroy their minds and reproductive systems. From all this, their children will be born dead, and we will conceal this information. The poisons will be hidden in everything that surrounds them, in what they drink, eat, breathe and wear. We must be ingenious in dispensing the poisons for they can see far. We will teach them that the poisons are good, with fun images and musical tones. Those they look up to will help. We will enlist them to push our poisons. They will see our products being used in film and will grow accustomed to them and will never know their true effect. When they give birth we will inject poisons into the blood of their children and convince them it is for their help. We will start early on, when their minds are young, we will target their children with what children love most, sweet things. When their teeth decay we will fill them with metals that will kill their mind and steal their future. When their ability to learn has been affected, we will create medicine that will make them sicker and cause other diseases for which we will create yet more medicine. We will render them docile and weak before us by our power. They will grow depressed, slow and obese, and when they come to us for help, we will give them more poison. We will focus their attention toward money and material goods so they many never connect with their inner self. We will distract them with fornication, external pleasures and games so they may never be one with the oneness of it all. Their minds will belong to us and they will do as we say. If they refuse we shall find ways to implement mind-altering technology into their lives. We will use fear as our weapon. We will establish their governments and establish opposites within. We will own both sides. We will always hide our objective but carry out our plan. They will perform the labour for us and we shall prosper from their toil. Our families will never mix with theirs. Our blood must be pure always, for it is the way. We will make them kill each other when it suits us. We will keep them separated from the oneness by dogma and religion. We will control all aspects of their lives and tell them what to think and how. We will guide them kindly and gently letting them think they are guiding themselves. We will foment animosity between them through our factions. When a light shall shine among them, we shall extinguish it by ridicule, or death, whichever suits us best. We will make them rip each other's hearts apart and kill their own children. We will accomplish this by using hate as our ally, anger as our friend. The hate will blind them totally, and never shall they see that from their conflicts we emerge as their rulers. They will be busy killing each other. They will bathe in their own blood and kill their neighbours for as long as we see fit. We will benefit greatly from this, for they will not see us, for they cannot see us. We will continue to prosper from their wars and their deaths. We shall repeat this over and over until our ultimate goal is accomplished. We will continue to make them live in fear and anger though images and sounds. We will use all the tools we have to accomplish this. The tools will be provided by their labour. We will make them hate themselves and their neighbours. We will always hide the divine truth from them, that we are all one. This they must never know! They must never know that colour is an illusion, they must always think they are not equal. Drop by drop, drop by drop we will advance our goal. We will take over their land, resources and wealth to exercise total control over them. We will deceive them into accepting laws that will steal the little freedom they will have. We will establish a money system that will imprison them forever, keeping them and their children in debt. When they shall band together, we shall accuse them of crimes and present a different story to the world for we shall own all the media. We will use our media to control the flow of information and their sentiment in our favour. When they shall rise up against us we will crush them like insects, for they are less than that. They will be helpless to do anything for they will have no weapons. We will recruit some of their own to carry out our plans, we will promise them eternal life, but eternal life they will never have for they are not of us. The recruits will be called "initiates" and will be indoctrinated to believe false rites of passage to higher realms. Members of these groups will think they are one with us never knowing the truth. They must never learn this truth for they will turn against us. For their work they will be rewarded with earthly things and great titles, but never will they become immortal and join us, never will they receive the light and travel the stars. They will never reach the higher realms, for the killing of their own kind will prevent passage to the realm of enlightenment. This they will never know. The truth will be hidden in their face, so close they will not be able to focus on it until its too late. Oh yes, so grand the illusion of freedom will be, that they will never know they are our slaves. When all is in place, the reality we will have created for them will own them. This reality will be their prison. They will live in self-delusion. When our goal is accomplished a new era of domination will begin. Their minds will be bound by their beliefs, the beliefs we have established from time immemorial. But if they ever find out they are our equal, we shall perish then. THIS THEY MUST NEVER KNOW. If they ever find out that together they can vanquish us, they will take action. They must never, ever find out what we have done, for if they do, we shall have no place to run, for it will be easy to see who we are once the veil has fallen. Our actions will have revealed who we are and they will hunt us down and no person shall give us shelter. This is the secret covenant by which we shall live the rest of our present and future lives, for this reality will transcend many generations and life spans. This covenant is sealed by blood, our blood. We, the ones who from heaven to earth came. This covenant must NEVER, EVER be known to exist. It must NEVER, EVER be written or spoken of for if it is, the consciousness it will spawn will release the fury of the PRIME CREATOR upon us and we shall be cast to the depths from whence we came and remain there until the end time of infinity itself. and it seems in response to this leaking an anonymous posted a commented Xianist says 12/15/2008: This article is really just a synopsis of The Protocols of the Learned Elders of Zion...it's nothing new or astounding. Have you ever thought that maybe you've been fed disinformation on purpose? You're not any different then William Cooper. Quite possibly you're already working for us and you don't even realize it. It's as plain as black and white. You either accept this, join us, or perish. It is what is meant to happen. It's humanity's destiny. Evil is good, and good is evil. We are the yang from ying in this world. Without us you would be a mindless drone in "utopia" always worshiping God without really loving him as the great architect of the universe. We bring the order in society. We've created the balance. The very toothpaste, which you use (hopefully multiple times) on a daily basis, could be infecting your body with all of the horrendous materials we've crafted. Our diseases have been pushed into absoluteness. There is nothing that our sinister tentacles have not infiltrated. Why do you think so many believe and trust the FDA? If only they knew the ingeniousness behind the booster shots, flu shots, antibiotics, and their biological mutations. We're profiting from the death of your family, friends, children, spouse, and even you. Ever been to the doctor? Had surgery or have been in the Emergency room? Remember the saline drip? You were never asked for your consent to push this cold clear killing agent into your blood. But, you were led to believe it was to rehydrate your body. As if your body doesn't naturally do so already! Look at the society you live in. Who are the new icons in America? Not politicians, hardly athletes, but your musicians, especially rap artists. We have controlled the African population in the American states so well. We've glorified their impoverished lifestyles. Their purposes are to only breed like the cells of an infectious disease, and completely waste any money we've given to them on a slew of material objects we've designed solely for them. We build them up, making them feel like they have equality. Even gave them a TV station to reach the masses of Africans to continuously force down their throats what, how, and why we want them to act. We've given them their own magazines, as if we actually care about their culture. They have been our best test subjects aside from a few of our own. Our very existence was created by God, for God, of God. We cannot be destroyed without first destroying the great architect of the universe, which is the definition of impossible. My brothers are the ones who serve you at the banks, create your food, made the vehicle you drive, the house you live in, the clothes you wear, the movies you watch, the books you read, the music you listen too, the fragrances you wash with, absolutely everything in you, on you, around you, we have created. God may have made you in his image, but we bred you into existence. What is imperative is that you know the extent of our ownership over you, namely your soul. You have been given a number. We have been given the master list of the numerals enlisted for death. Our savvy is death. Our secondary aptitude is control. Together we have become the unstoppable force, blowing in the wind, inhabiting every shadowy corner of the world. We are that unspoken word, ready to be spoken, but only when we determine the time is right.

religion dont pay taxes

for the most part the only difference is wether the person talking respects it or not.

Whether you believe in it or not.

cult is older

I have always said there is no difference, but here is the definition of a cult. a religion regarded as unorthodox or spurious. I am christian and i still say there is no difference for this 1 reason, Christians would have to say by this definition that Muslims were a cult and Muslims would have to say Christians were a cult and so on. Here is another definition of a cult A religion or religious sect generally considered to be extremist or false, with its followers often living in an unconventional manner under the guidance of an authoritarian, charismatic leader. They all religions fit this profile through the eyes of another religion.

In our world, they sure overlap. A religion composes beliefs and how to best serve God. Cults use the ideas of religion to captivate people and do whatever they want, to include killing, under the name of religion.

See: the dictionary definition of "cult". Answer: all religions are cults, but not all cults are religions. In fact, most cults are NOT religions. Many cults are not even religIOUS.

If you look at the definition of both, there is not much difference. There is no line of demarcation between a religion and a cult. Almost all faith groups have a degree of cult-like control over their membership, attempting to have them hold the same beliefs. The term cult is a negative label we place on religions that we want to defame, for whatever reason. Taking that idea as a starting point, we can say that all cults are religions, but not all religions are cults. Religion is a descriptive term that we use to describe groups that perform worship and develop ethical systems based upon their relation to things supernatural. Cult is a more subjective term to identify religious groups who have additional characteristics of which we disapprove--authoritarian leadership, separatism, immoral activity, socially unapproved violence, etc. Also if you compare Christianity with other forms of religion, we, as Christians, can be called a cult, so as Christians, we should scrutinize our beliefs using the Bible, at 2 Timothy 3:16, 17 says "Every scripture inspired of God is also profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for instruction which is in righteousness.17 That the man of God may be complete, furnished completely unto every good work".(ASV) So I would say the difference between a Cult and a Religion as Christians, would be the use of the Bible in their beliefs. If you would like more information on this or any other Bible topic, please visit the free website JW.org

IF we look at the standard definitions of both words, we discover that all religions - by definition - ARE cults. However, not all cults are religions or religious! So: a cult is a broader category. Cult (Merriam-Webster) [notice especially def 3) [[ https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cult ]] For examples of non-religious cults, consider things such as personality cults, extremist environmentalist groups, anti-government organizations, etc. Any organization or person that intentionally seeks a group of people who devote their lives to it (not just their livelihoods, but their lives) can be accurately described as a cult.

They're both the same. The characteristics associated with them: leadership dictates, how members should think, act and feel.

Religion is a delusion that some people create using their imagination and that’s why they can never prove their point in their stupid religious claims that they initiate. A cult is a group of people who wear robes and brainwash their followers. Usually a cult of people are dangerous who can resort to violence or go against someone who is different to them. So keep in mind that religion is an imagination and a cult are the people who follow the delusions of their leader who happens to be a person and nothing more than that if you catch my meaning.

One is exemplified by an extreme set of beliefs that people are willing to die to defend, a leader who is exalted and uses mind control to do the bidding of the organization without question; and the other is a cult.