Is Christianity a religion or a cult?

mako · **mako**

Is Christianity a religion or is it a cult? If you look at the identifying characteristics of a cult you will find that Christianity in its entirety meets every one of them.

The group displays excessively zealous and unquestioning commitment to its leader and (whether he is alive or dead) regards his belief system, ideology, and practices as the Truth, as law. Christianity meet this characteristic strongly.

Questioning, doubt, and dissent are discouraged or even punished. Christianity meets this characteristic and although the member is seldom punished today, in the not to distant past the member could lose his/her life for questioning, doubt or dissent.

Mind-altering practices (such as meditation, chanting, speaking in tongues, denunciation sessions, and debilitating work routines) are used in excess and serve to suppress doubts about the group and its leader. Again, Christianity meets this characteristic and then some, depending on the sect, some even have things such as snake handling which requires mind altering to the nth degree.

The leadership dictates, sometimes in great detail, how members should think, act, and feel (for example, members must get permission to date, change jobs, marry—or leaders prescribe what types of clothes to wear, where to live, whether or not to have children, how to discipline children, and so forth). This one is a no-brainer – Yes, Christianity dictates and dictates and dictates, calling anything opposite of what it dictates to be a sin!

The group is elitist, claiming a special, exalted status for itself, its leader(s) and members (for example, the leader is considered the Messiah, a special being, an avatar—or the group and/or the leader is on a special mission to save humanity). The part in the parenthesis is the central idea of Christianity, so yes, it definitely means this characteristic and then some.

The group has a polarized us-versus-them mentality, which may cause conflict with the wider society. I think the various crusades, heretic hunts, witch burnings and conquests and enslavements of lesser developed peoples shows how much Christianity meets this characteristic.

The leader is not accountable to any authorities. Well the leader was supposed to have been God in human guise…so Christians believe that authorities must answer to their religion/leader

The group teaches or implies that its supposedly exalted ends justify whatever means it deems necessary. This may result in members' participating in behaviors or activities they would have considered reprehensible or unethical before joining the group. Very true, Christian early Church Fathers openly stated in their writings that “lying for God” was a justifiable act. This is not one or two of these “Saints” but all of them! Christianity meets this characteristic.

The leadership induces feelings of shame and/or guilt iin order to influence and/or control members. Often, this is done through peer pressure and subtle forms of persuasion. This one is so obvious that I almost feel no need to answer it…yes, using the concept of sin (a concept that no other ancient religion had until the Jews invented it) Christians induce feelings of shame and guilt in its members and by controlling the relief of that emotion, controls the member.

The group is preoccupied with bringing in new members. Another no-brainer…let’s just say that Christianity meets this characteristic and then some.

The group is preoccupied with making money. Well Duh!!! I present tithing and the collection plate that is passed around every service…Yes, Christianity meets this characteristic.

Members are expected to devote inordinate amounts of time to the group and group-related activities. Another no-brainer…pray meetings, Sunday services (morning and night), bible study groups, potluck fellowships, prayer groups and on and on and on…Christianity meets this characteristic more strongly than most cults.

Members are encouraged or required to live and/or socialize only with other group members. In most cases, members are only encouraged to live and socialize only with other Christians, although certain sects have things called monasteries and Nunneries…Yes, Christianity meets this characteristic too.

Subservience to the leader or group requires members to cut ties with family and friends, and radically alter the personal goals and activities they had before joining the group. Not so much today as in the early part of Christianity, but the religion does meet this characteristic.

The most loyal members (the “true believers”) feel there can be no life outside the context of the group. They believe there is no other way to be, and often fear reprisals to themselves or others if they leave (or even consider leaving) the group. I think Archie is a good example of this characteristic…Yes, Christianity meets this characteristic.

Have no objective, independent way to test their teachings and practices. It's almost as though they feel just a firm assertion of their own exclusivity is sufficient proof of their anointing by God. Yes, Christianity meets this characteristic. They have only the New Testament to offer as “proof”, a document that is inconsistent, internally contradictory and can’t be supported by recorded history.
So in conclusion, I believe that it is readily apparent that – yes, the Christ Cult is indeed a cult. Orc ass