What's the difference between a cult and a religion? (serious question, don't flame)

So today I was taking a bus to the mall and on the bus there was some fundamental trying to get signatures to close down some family planning center in town. He came to me and I turned him away, he started to preach to me in an attempt to guilt me into signing and i just said "I'm an atheist so preaching doesn't work on me and I already said I'm not interested". I'm sure can imagine what happened and eventually he said something like "You people think we're all the same, I bet you think Christianity is just a cult like those other so called religions (in reference to Muslims)" and I asked "Well what's the difference?", he stared at me and decided to walk away after saying "I don't have time for this."

So it got me thinking: "What is the difference." I mean a few years ago people would have easily labeled something like Scientology under "cult" but now it considered a full blown religion. And of course by cult I don't mean your "drink the punch" cults. I mean what is the real difference between them, if any?

Tax exempt status.

A cult is basically a smaller uprising, more thought of as a separate view of things instead of worshiping a widely known God. Religions are much bigger, and, here is the clincher that sets them appart from Scientology, are globally (or atleast widely) recognized as such.

Tax exempt status.

Ignorance.


A cult (taken from "occult", meaning "hidden") is any religion considered strange/bizarre by society's norms.

I think this is much more retarded.

Ignorance.


A cult (taken from "occult", meaning "hidden") is any religion considered strange/bizarre by society's norms.

"Society" doesn't refer to the entire human population. It's a subset, and there are others. Accepted behaviors and interests differ from society to society, and strangeness tends to be lost in these variances. As an example, even amongst the collective English-speaking population, there are many who would believe Mormons to share bizarre customs. Based upon this definition, they could be considered a cult to some, even though they are a recognized and established religion with hundreds of millions of followers. Establishment could be what spares them from the word, and with establishment would come tax exempt status.

I think that definition of the word "cult" is silly and I am not ignorant for thinking this way.

The guy that approached you sounded very rude.

"Society" doesn't refer to the entire human population. It's a subset, and there are others. Accepted behaviors and interests differ from society to society, and strangeness tends to be lost in these variances. As an example, even amongst the collective English-speaking population, there are many who would believe Mormons to share bizarre customs. Based upon this definition, they could be considered a cult to some, even though they are a recognized and established religion with hundreds of millions of followers. Establishment could be what spares them from the word, and with establishment would come tax exempt status.

I think that definition of the word "cult" is silly and I am not ignorant for thinking this way.

Actually no, I'm not sure you know what the purpose of them being tax exemped is. Religion is a non-profit organization, they are given exempt status from the IRS because they make no profit. It's no different than a government ran company, or educational. How many followers or it's history has no outstanding value towards why they are given this, it's a service or "company" dedicated solely for the public.

The only thing they are tax exempt from is purchases' they make for the establishment. If they were to go buy cigar's, they'd be taxed, and if they sold anything, they would be taxed. The laws vary state to state but typically that's the rule of thumb towards any non-profit organization.

a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, especially when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies, usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs.
2.
a specific fundamental set of beliefs and practices generally agreed upon by a number of persons or sects: the Christian religion; the Buddhist religion.
3.
the body of persons adhering to a particular set of beliefs and practices: a world council of religions.

a particular system of religious worship, especially with reference to its rites and ceremonies.
2.
an instance of great veneration of a person, ideal, or thing, especially as manifested by a body of admirers: the physical fitness cult.
3.
the object of such devotion.

Stuff from dictionary.com.

Actually no, I'm not sure you know what the purpose of them being tax exemped is. Religion is a non-profit organization, they are given exempt status from the IRS because they make no profit. It's no different than a government ran company, or educational. How many followers or it's history has no outstanding value towards why they are given this, it's a service or "company" dedicated solely for the public.

The only thing they are tax exempt from is purchases' they make for the establishment. If they were to go buy cigar's, they'd be taxed, and if they sold anything, they would be taxed. The laws vary state to state but typically that's the rule of thumb towards any non-profit organization.

Nothing that you have posted contradicts anything in this thread. I used tax exempt status in place of establishment to be cheeky, as it's one of the possible benefits of a religion accepted into a society. I explained my usage of the term in the second post. Please don't make assumptions of what I do not know.

"Society" doesn't refer to the entire human population. It's a subset, and there are others. Accepted behaviors and interests differ from society to society, and strangeness tends to be lost in these variances. As an example, even amongst the collective English-speaking population, there are many who would believe Mormons to share bizarre customs. Based upon this definition, they could be considered a cult to some, even though they are a recognized and established religion with hundreds of millions of followers. Establishment could be what spares them from the word, and with establishment would come tax exempt status.

I think that definition of the word "cult" is silly and I am not ignorant for thinking this way.

Did you actually argue against my statement? I can't tell. I think you're arguing against something I didn't state... then again I really don't know what you're arguing anymore about how my statement is correct or incorrect.

Did you actually argue against my statement? I can't tell.

Do I have to argue, or can I further a conversation? If the former, then not exactly.