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I’ve like always wondered bout this, so cults are usually seen as manipulative or based on lies, but when you think about it, a lot of religions also involve following a belief system, rituals, and leaders. So what actually makes something a “cult” vs a “religion”? Why are cults automatically assumed to be fake or harmful, while religions are considered legitimate or socially acceptable? This may be a dumb question but that’s what this subreddit is for lol
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All religions today claim legitimacy on the basis of God, yet in truth, the origins of every religion lie in rulers who created them as instruments of religious rule. In other words, if you look at every civilization of mankind, without exception, you find religious altars and relics. In the Indus civilization, the Mesopotamian civilization, the Egyptian civilization, the Mayan civilization, and even in Eastern traditions such as the Dangun myth, there are always religious altars. This shows that religion has, from ancient times, been used by rulers as a tool of governance—surpassing the limits of military power—through religious rule. Religion was not created in purity, as people imagine. The pretense of love, mercy, and peace sounded convincing, but in practice, religion was abused as a means of power to control the people. This has been so from the beginning of human history. The unique feature of religion—absolute power and absolute obedience—has allowed rulers to rationalize any wickedness, illegality, or sin under the name of God.
Even today, the world’s major religions began from royal families: Islam arose from a royal house, Buddhism from a royal house, Hinduism from a royal house, and Catholicism also from a royal house. For thousands of years, these religions waged wars under the banner of God, while in reality rulers used religion as a tool of governance, presenting themselves as God’s representatives—or even as gods themselves—sacrificing their people in the name of God for their own lusts and greed. Thus, all religions were built on blood. Christianity is no different. From the beginning, it was established upon an altar of blood. Therefore, it cannot be beautiful. Though its pretense is love, it has never been an example or model like light and salt. Instead, it is full of pastors and believers who pretend to be holy, compassionate, gentle, and kind, yet whose conduct inside and outside the church is inconsistent, whose outward appearance and inward reality do not match, and whose words and actions are contradictory—men and women of cunning duplicity.
The reason is that, by dishonoring the love of the cross and despising God’s holy will revealed in His love, they have chosen to serve God while mingling with the world and material wealth. As a result, all manner of corruption, heresy, wickedness, and falsehood are taught and learned. This is the lamentable reality of today: far from being light and salt—examples and models—religionists perform hypocritical service and self-promoting charity, replacing the sacrificial love of the cross with acts much like worldly companies do to boast in their own name.
Religion is made by man. Therefore, all religious people alike cannot escape the endless cycle of sinning and repenting, sinning and repenting, until death. Because religion is man-made, it cannot rise above human limitations. The symptoms of those who continue to sin and repent until death are always the same: they treat their sins lightly, grow increasingly bold in them, and become ever more shameless and brazen—teaching and learning that such arrogance is faith. This is the present reality of Christians today. It is also the reality of all religious people, and it is lamentable in the extreme.
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.(2 Timothy 3 : 16~17)
In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you. Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again; Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things. For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.(Titus 2 : 7~14)
But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.(Ephesians 4 : 15~16)
Truth is to receive the love of God so that, through that nourishment, His power works in us to grant the divine strength that surpasses the human limitations of awakening, resolve, and determination—which, left to themselves, can only lead to a lifetime of repeating sin and repentance. By obtaining the power of God, we put to death the habits and members that produce sin like an incurable disease. Thus, Scripture says that everyone who sins is a child of the devil, while the children of God do not commit sin and are set free from sin.
And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.(1 John 4 : 16)
Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.(John 8 : 34)
Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him. Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.(1 John 3 : 6~10)
But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness. For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness. What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death. But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.(Romans 6 : 17~23)