Davnes007 said:

TheBoost said:

Davnes007 said:

'Religion' is a synonym for 'cult'

Nope.

Ya.

Still wrong.

While "religion" as a phenomenon is sometimes difficult to define (whole books have been written on the topic, I reccomened Mircea Eliade) it is not in anyway synonomous with 'cult.'

'Cult' is a very ill defined term, ususally used as a derogatory term for any convieniet 'other.' In the US at least, 'cult' is a convienient term used to bring legal pressure on new religious groups.

Certain traits tend to be involved with so-called Cult movements, which might include secrecy, a charasmatic authoritarian leader, intense indoctrination, and dificulty leaving the cult, but none of these are present in every 'cult'like situation.

So it's not a pearl of wisdom. It's just a slur.