The Most Hated Family in America : it's just a cult disguised as a church
Re: it's just a cult disguised as a church
Definitely. My friends and I always refer to it as the Westboro Baptist Cult.
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Re: it's just a cult disguised as a church
Among academics a cult is a religion with less than 3000 followers, so Christianity used to be a cult. Remember Early Christianity was a radical and fringe off-shoot of Judaism centered around Jesus, St Paul, and others.
What I'm trying to say is that the line between religion and cult is quite blurry.
What I'm trying to say is that the line between religion and cult is quite blurry.
Re: it's just a cult disguised as a church
Well, Westboro Baptist church basically doesn't let in new members so will never reach the status of religion...even given 2000 years.
Re: it's just a cult disguised as a church
I'm with you T-E-C.
The only real difference between a cult and a church is your own point of view.
The only real difference between a cult and a church is your own point of view.
Re: it's just a cult disguised as a church
"Among academics a cult is a religion with less than 3000 followers, so Christianity used to be a cult. Remember Early Christianity was a radical and fringe off-shoot of Judaism centered around Jesus, St Paul, and others.
What I'm trying to say is that the line between religion and cult is quite blurry."
Agree 100%!
It's all int the so called "social proof". People don't become a member of a particular denomination because of reason, but largely follow each other. Not to mention religion is passed down by family.
If just one person believed in virgin birth and in a guy waking up from the dead, he would be put in an institution, if a billion people believe it then it's an established religion.
What I'm trying to say is that the line between religion and cult is quite blurry."
Agree 100%!
It's all int the so called "social proof". People don't become a member of a particular denomination because of reason, but largely follow each other. Not to mention religion is passed down by family.
If just one person believed in virgin birth and in a guy waking up from the dead, he would be put in an institution, if a billion people believe it then it's an established religion.
Re: it's just a cult disguised as a church
I listened to an interview with an expert on cults recently, and she said the way to differentiate between a cult and a religion was "to look at the deed, not the creed". In other words, what a group's beliefs are doesn't define them as a cult, but their actions do. Their are plenty of religious/spiritual groups with oddball beliefs, but aren't known for exhibiting cult-like control/coercion. Similarly, there are groups which have cult-like tendencies that aren't religious or spiritual in orientation (like the LaRouche movement). WBC is most definitely a cult, especially given the extreme control over their children's social lives.
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Re: it's just a cult disguised as a church
yep i agree its a cult, no doubt about it.
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Re: it's just a cult disguised as a church
Every "church" starts as a cult. Definition of cult: "that which is liked by but a few". Only through charismatic leaders (and insane believers) does it get spread so much that it becomes "common" belief.
Re: it's just a cult disguised as a church
Just to re-iterate. The Westboro Baptist Church does not encourage or seek new members so it's not really a cult. It is sick and twisted, but it isn't even attempting to build its membership, so its a bit of a non-issue.
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Re: it's just a cult disguised as a church
I'd say it is boarder line, sure.
$§ "You don't win. You just do a little better each time." ~o~
$§ "You don't win. You just do a little better each time." ~o~
Re: it's just a cult disguised as a church
Yes I agree.
it's just a cult disguised as a church
Jan: I'm sorry all I heard was blah blah blah I'm a dirty tramp.