What Is A Cult?

The word “cult” has a long-complex history, and it’s sense of terms is highly controversial between scholars. Whenever the world attempts to define truth we should have an instant red-flag go up. And it seems that both the religions of the world, and modern worldly social groups have all defined what a cult is. But, we must object and clearly define and ask, “What is a cult?”

Further Look Into The Definition

The word cult is defined as a “social group.” This social group is considered to have abnormal beliefs and have common interest. In other words they all have one goal, and all share bizarre beliefs. There usually is within a cult an authoritative figure who controls the followers, and has a systematic ritual to bringing in other people into the cult. Cult sizes can be small, but they can also be millions of people.

As you can see, these “terms” of a cult get extremely grey. And, it’s important that we rightfully discern these terms, lest we falsely accuse groups or people being a cult. First of all, let us first discern a cult as a “group” with a “collective false belief.” This is the essence of cult. The leader of a cult is simply a dictator-type figure, and the followers “blind-submissive slaves.” This group works in a functioning harmony of upholding their belief system and serving the leader’s selfish delusion.

False Accusations, True Accusations

It’s very easy for any group of people to be accused of being a cult. Typically because of religious worldly people whose mouth and mind is under the control of Satan, “The Accuser of the Brethren.” These religious “know it all” type will slander any group of people that have a different way of thinking, or different belief system. When, not realizing, that just because people have a different belief does not mean it is wrong or false.

Interestingly, it should be noted that cults are a group of people upholding a false belief or doctrine. With the true definition of a cult, it’s easy to see how the entire church system is a giant cult. It’s a group of people who uphold false doctrines inspired by demons as prophesied in the Scriptures. The biggest indicator of cults and those under the influence of one, is that they refuse to acknowledge their faulty beliefs and heed to the truth.

Personal Experience

I had been in an extremely legalistic cult for nearly six months, and then joined another legalistic cult not as “extreme.” Both cults had members who confessed to me that they (the congregation) were a cult (jokingly) but, “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.” Both cults had an extremely controlling leader who did not know the truth about the Gospel, and submissive followers upholding their false teachings. Cults often have a “mass mentality” that makes it difficult to break free of them. Thankfully, by the grace of God I was delivered out of the church-cult system and into this ministry to receive counsel from my spiritual and psychological abuse.

It should also be noted that both these cult leaders were under delusions. They do not know the truth about both the Gospel, and spiritual matters. And were not willing to fess up to their error. They also used fear to bring others into subjection and had false humility to make them appear “trustworthy.”

Conclusion

To conclude, anytime we examine a social group, or any group of people and start to accuse them of being a cult, we must ask ourselves, “What is a cult?” If there is a group of people who all share a belief that is not in accords with the truth; then it is a cult. Simple as that.