3 ms·
> Goreanism is not a religion, so probably doesn't count as religious discrimination. I've often wondered what the difference between a Cult and a Religion is
by noir_lord 10y ago
> Goreanism is not a religion, so probably doesn't count as religious discrimination.
I've often wondered what the difference between a Cult and a Religion is and my best answer seems to be "4 orders of magnitude".
1000 is a cult, 10,000,000 is a Religion.
If it's a numbers game then everyone religion went through a stage where it was a cult (and indeed if you look at the history of religion lots of them where treat that way, Roman treatment of Christianity is a well documented one).
- humanrebar 10y ago"Cult" is perjorative. It implies an unhealthy worldview and probably abusive leadership. People would infer that people in the "religions are just big cults" camp see those properties in all religions. If you care to espouse that viewpoint, you're on the right track.
- Bartweiss 10y ago> 1000 is a cult, 10,000,000 is a Religion. I don't think this holds. There are about 1,000 practicing Samaritans left in the world. They practice a faith very similar to Judaism with a comparably long history, and I think hardly anyone would call them a cult. There are >50,000 self-described Scientologists worldwide. Many different people, including some government bodies, have referred to that organization as a cult. If we're talking about formal definition, there are detailed lists of what constitutes a cult - size isn't a factor, but segregation from non-members, active indoctrination, and public shaming are. If we're talking common usage, it appears to be respectability or 'kookiness'. Size is a factor, but age, similarity to other traditions, and behavior of members and leaders all count too.
- ng12 10y agoI would call Samaritanism a cult. I think calling Scientology a cult is misappropriation which grew from a perceived relationship between small religions and esoteric beliefs.