Are We A Cult?

[DeanLautermilch]

I've updated my web page = www.swindledforjesus.com

 

Anyway, one of the Churches of Christ that I attended has some sermons in MP3 format. One asks the question = 'Is the Church of Christ a Cult?' I used to hear that it was a lot.

 

Here is the sermon

http://www.embryhills.com/audio%20sermons/...t-Jim_Jonas.mp3

 

I've added a section about that particular church at the bottom of this page with a few other sermons I found interesting to hear now that I am X-Christian.

 

http://www.swindledforjesus.com/My%20Chris...%20History.html

[Jun]

'Is the Church of Christ a Cult?'

 

The Merriam-Webster online dictionary lists five different definitions of the word "cult."

 

1. 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;

5. Great devotion to a person, idea, object, movement, or work (as in a film or book).

 

Three of the five definitions are, if not positive, at least neutral. The term "cult" then depends on the context in which it is used.

[HoustonHorn]

I'd say that number 3 in your list is at least partially true as well. All religions had to start out as unorthodox to whatever religions were mainstream at the time. And if you consider sin a disease, which I've heard it referred to as, then number 4 is accurate as well.

[R. S. Martin]

If you are really serious about wanting to learn about cults I guess you should read some of the work of Lorne L. Dawson. I looked him up just now. He's on my favourite prof list (from undergrad days not because he gives anyone the warm fuzzies but because he's so smart) but I didn't know till just now how well-known he is throughout the world. Seems he's world specialist on cults. Here are his books that Amazon carries.

 

At the bottom of this page are some other books (by other authors) on similar topics.

 

I haven't the slightest idea how to define "cult." It's one of those "catch 22" phrases that you can pretty well throw anything into that you don't like. Well, maybe not your dirty socks...