Stuart wrote:
"I must again voice my objection to the use of the word 'cult' when
describing any religion. The word has such negative connotations that
it can't help but negatively influence those who don't know the
difference, but might just accept this as being gospel and hinder
their own objectivity to decide for themselves. It is patently
unfair, and decidedly unchristian."
On the contrary, it is the essence of Christian practice and history to
define orthodox practice and belief versus that which is not. What else
where the church councils about? I am sure Arius didn't take too kindly
to being called a heretic, but such he was.
Aside from the connotations you might object to, the word cult has a
fairly well accepted theological definition which might be stated thus:
A cult is any religious groups which differs significantly in one or more
respects as to belief/practice from normative expressions of the
religion. A cult is frequently gathered around a specific person and
their unique teachings.
Christian Science is properly called a cult and its followers cultists
because they are specifically bound together by Mary Baker Eddy's
teachings which do not fall within the pale of historically orthodox
Christian belief or practice. It's an accurate term which should not be
given up because some use it pejoratively. Just so with the followers of
Joseph Smith and Brigham Young, commonly referred to as Mormons and the
followers of Russell and Rutherford, known as Jehovah's Witnesses, and
many other groups and their followers who would like to be considered
Christian but are not orthodox in their beliefs and practices.
Kamilla
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This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : Sat Apr 27 2002 - 19:10:43 EDT