Christianity's not a religion? WHAT?!?

[Xiam]

rmcdra

Xiam

Of course I'm using the colloquial definition.

But no. A cult is a religion, but a religion is not a cult.

Or maybe it's vice-versa. After all, a cult following is not necessarily a religion. Oh, wow, lots of people love The Rocky Horror Picture Show. It's not like they worship Frank N. Furter.

Actually, you know what? How's this? Not all religions are cults, and not all cults are religions.

if you are using the colloquial definition then you are right not all religions are cults. But the colloquial definition is too subjective to say anything meaningful other than personal biases just saying.

Lots of words are like that, you know. I mean, I could call someone a dipshit, but there's not exactly an objective description of what qualifies as a "dipshit."

Then again, maybe that's the problem.

But judging by the actual definition of "cult," not only religions apply, but also hard atheism and scientific empiricism.

I'll acknowledge Definition 1 if you acknowledge Definitions 2-5.

[rmcdra]

Nityananda-rama dasa

rmcdra

if you are using the colloquial definition then you are right not all religions are cults. But the colloquial definition is too subjective to say anything meaningful other than personal biases just saying.

TT-TT

Y u no call out switch referencing?

Not thinking straight. Just woke up.

[Nityananda-rama dasa]

Xiam

But judging by the actual definition of "cult," not only religions apply, but also hard atheism and scientific empiricism.

They lack veneration.


Christianity fits all of the definitions, save number three, which Christ fits.

[rmcdra]

Xiam

Lots of words are like that, you know. I mean, I could call someone a dipshit, but there's not exactly an objective description of what qualifies as a "dipshit."

Then again, maybe that's the problem.

The problem is that your using the word "cult" as a pejorative. It's pointless to use the word this way in extended discussion since it doesn't contribute anything.

Quote:

But judging by the actual definition of "cult," not only religions apply, but also hard atheism and scientific empiricism.

No it wouldn't since they aren't religions.
As Nityananda-rama dasa pointed out, they lack veneration.

Quote:

I'll acknowledge Definition 1 if you acknowledge Definitions 2-5.

cult

1.
a particular system of religious worship, especially with reference to its rites and ceremonies.
2.
an instance of great veneration of a person, ideal, or thing, especially as manifested by a body of admirers: the physical fitness cult.
3.
the object of such devotion.
4.
a group or sect bound together by veneration of the same thing, person, ideal, etc.
5.
Sociology . a group having a sacred ideology and a set of rites centering around their sacred symbols.

Please point out how I'm ignoring any of these definition. Also no where do I see included "A cult is generally defined as a smaller religion, usually of unorthodox beliefs."

[Xiam]

Nityananda-rama dasa

Xiam

But judging by the actual definition of "cult," not only religions apply, but also hard atheism and scientific empiricism.

They lack veneration.


Christianity fits all of the definitions, save number three, which Christ fits.

They venerate the scientific method pretty hard...

rmcdra

Also no where do I see included "A cult is generally defined as a smaller religion, usually of unorthodox beliefs."

Sorry, I was using a different dictionary definition which gave me the "unorthodox beliefs." And I learned the "small religion" thing a good while ago. Either from college or some other book on it. Or Wikipedia.

[Nityananda-rama dasa]

Xiam

They venerate the scientific method pretty hard...

By which definition?

[Xiam]

Nityananda-rama dasa

Xiam

They venerate the scientific method pretty hard...

By which definition?

? neutral

[Nityananda-rama dasa]

Xiam

? neutral

Veneration basically means "worship"

[rmcdra]

Xiam

rmcdra

Also no where do I see included "A cult is generally defined as a smaller religion, usually of unorthodox beliefs."

Sorry, I was using a different dictionary definition which gave me the "unorthodox beliefs." And I learned the "small religion" thing a good while ago. Either from college or some other book on it. Or Wikipedia.

Cult is the outdated term for new religious movement. Is that what you meant?

[Fermionic]

Xiam

Nityananda-rama dasa

Xiam

But judging by the actual definition of "cult," not only religions apply, but also hard atheism and scientific empiricism.

They lack veneration.


Christianity fits all of the definitions, save number three, which Christ fits.

They venerate the scientific method pretty hard...

rmcdra

Also no where do I see included "A cult is generally defined as a smaller religion, usually of unorthodox beliefs."

Sorry, I was using a different dictionary definition which gave me the "unorthodox beliefs." And I learned the "small religion" thing a good while ago. Either from college or some other book on it. Or Wikipedia.

Ooooh Wikipedia

[Xiam]

rmcdra

Xiam

rmcdra

Also no where do I see included "A cult is generally defined as a smaller religion, usually of unorthodox beliefs."

Sorry, I was using a different dictionary definition which gave me the "unorthodox beliefs." And I learned the "small religion" thing a good while ago. Either from college or some other book on it. Or Wikipedia.

Cult is the outdated term for new religious movement. Is that what you meant?

Does that mean Wikipedia is outdated...?

Fermionic

Ooooh Wikipedia

Ooooh sources.

[Zaraxis]

Murkier

Depends on the definition of religion.

Depends on point of view. Christians defining themselves vs everyone else defining Christians.

[rmcdra]

Xiam

rmcdra

Xiam

rmcdra

Also no where do I see included "A cult is generally defined as a smaller religion, usually of unorthodox beliefs."

Sorry, I was using a different dictionary definition which gave me the "unorthodox beliefs." And I learned the "small religion" thing a good while ago. Either from college or some other book on it. Or Wikipedia.

Cult is the outdated term for new religious movement. Is that what you meant?

Does that mean Wikipedia is outdated...?

Fermionic

Ooooh Wikipedia

Ooooh sources.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cult

While most scholars no longer refer to any new religious movements as cults, some sociologists still favor retaining the word as it was used in church-sect typologies. For this value-neutral use of the word, please refer to new religious movements. Other scholars and non-academic researchers who use the word do so from explicitly critical perspectives which focus on the relationship between cult groups and the individual people who join them. These perspectives share the assumption that some form of coercive persuasion or mind control is used to recruit and maintain members by suppressing their ability to reason, think critically, and make choices in their own best interest. However, most social scientists believe that mind control theories have no scientific merit in relation to religious movements.

Looks like you didn't examine your link very well.

[Requiem ex Inferni]

classic trashic

and the evangelists don't believe catholics are christian, which i find hilarious.

To be fair, there are Catholics who don't consider Catholicism to be part of Christianity.

[Mrtyu-Mara]

Requiem in Mortis

classic trashic

and the evangelists don't believe catholics are christian, which i find hilarious.

To be fair, there are Catholics who don't consider Catholicism to be part of Christianity.

My step-dad is a Christian who says that Catholics who tithe are "buying their way into Heaven", but his tithing is completely different.