What is cult and why do people join cults?

The traditional definition for the word cult seems to be very difficult in todays society, because of its religious beliefs. Most of the groups are reject themselves to be called as the cult or cultic group or cultic movement. The use of this word cult however is determined by the standpoint of user. Generally speaking cults represent a break with the main stream of religious traditions of the society in which they exist. Ronold Enroth, says that the origin of the world cult can be traced back to the Latin word 'Cultus' which means all that is involved in worship – rituals, emotions, liturgy and attitudes. To the Christina the word cult means any group or movement or teaching which deviates from the Biblical Orthodox Christianity. God's objective truth as revealed in the Scripture is the standard for evaluating all beliefs and practices. A cult is a deviation from the Orthodox Christianity and teaching which is important to the Christian who is concerned more about discerning truth from error. According to the Oxford Dictionary the word cult is defined as a system of religious beliefs and worship, especially the one that is expressed in rituals.

Charles Braden defines cults as any religious group which differs significantly in one or more respects as to the beliefs and practices of those religious groups which are regarded as the normative expressions of religious in our total culture.

John C Schaffer defines cult as a group of people gathered about a specific person or persons' misinterpretation of the Bible. Example Jehovah Witnesses are the followers of interpretations of Charles T. Russell and J. F. Ruther Ford.

Cult can be defined in common terminology as a group of people who claim to be godly but deviate considerably from the Orthodox Biblical teachings though they are not true. The culty groups accept the authority of the Bible but with their own interpretations. They generally come up with prophesies, with special emphasis on some passages of the Bible.

The cultic teachings can also be called as false teachings, false doctrines, false prophesies, heresy, hypocrisy etc.

Cult can also be called as heresy which is taught by a heretic, which means belief or opinion that is contrary (opposite) to what is generally accepted especially in a religion.

The common beliefs and understanding of the Cults

A strong challenge to the Christian challenge over the last 150 years has being the emergency of several cults which fall under the banner of Christianity referring to God, Jesus, and the Bible but deny the central truth, and the claims of Christian faith. These cults are referred to as Christian Cuts. Ex. Mormons, and Jehovah Witness are categorized as Christian cults. Cults which differ from the Christian cults are generally called as non-Christian cults. Ex.: Hare Krishna Movement (ISKON) and Bahaism etc, can be categorized as non Christian Cuts.

Cults are growing faster than the main stream religion. According to the religious survey done in 1992 says that the population increased in the world 3 times by 1900 along with it Christianity, Roman Catholicism and Hinduism tripled the actual number. Islam grew 4 times, where as cults, the culty groups and the cultic movements increased by 18 times than the actual number. The survey also tells us that in America there are nearly 3000 cults, cultic groups and cultic movements existing today. For this reason America is called as the boiling part of cults and cultic movements.

Why do people join cults?

When we look at the situation in the world that we are living today most of the people are attracted to join with cults for long theological reasons. Several reasons can be brought out to ask why people join cults. Many Christians approach the topic of cults exclusively in terms of false teaching, errors and false prophecy. The Christians are called to examine the teachings and doctrines of any questionable group in the light of God's word (Bible).

The appeal of the cults is very simple. One of the basic reason as to why the cults attract the people and are successful is because their meeting the basic human needs – the need to belong, the need to have fellowship, to have a sense of identity and purpose to be affirmed as a person to have answers for lives enduring problems and suffering etc. Another reason to why people join cults is to satisfy the need for authority and certainty in their lives. In a cult the meaning of everything seems to be crystal clear and provides clear direction and are usually approachable.

People join cults in moments of weakness when they are angry about something in their personal life or the world around them. People want simplicity which a cult can provide with ready made answers to their problems.

Instead of emphasizing preachings and worship the cults stress on teaching and training every member to become the missionary of the cultic movement. They are expected to do door to door visitation sharing and witnessing about their cultic group. The members are given personal attention through friendship fellowship and classes.

Cultic literature is made available in huge quantities with attractive formats, at very reasonable price. They also teach and propagate the cultic teaching through correspondence courses. These are the reasons which attract the people to join the cults. This is the reason for the cults to grow much faster than the religions.