American Heritage dictionary states:

cult �� (klt) KEY �

NOUN:


A religion or religious sect generally considered to be extremist or false, with its followers often living in an unconventional manner under the guidance of an authoritarian, charismatic leader.
The followers of such a religion or sect.
A system or community of religious worship and ritual.
The formal means of expressing religious reverence; religious ceremony and ritual.
A usually nonscientific method or regimen claimed by its originator to have exclusive or exceptional power in curing a particular disease.

Obsessive, especially faddish, devotion to or veneration for a person, principle, or thing.
The object of such devotion.
An exclusive group of persons sharing an esoteric, usually artistic or intellectual interest.


Since Paganism is found in the Army Chaplin's Handbook, and it is 5013c worthy it is a religion in my eyes.

Thank you Lily!!!

Reading Jenniebean's post seems to lead me to believe she is extremely unsure what a cult is, and that she firmly feels I am wrong and she is right. It would also seem to me she did not understand my post or read it....

All religions start out as cults, if they stand the test of time, they become religions.

Wow this is interesting convo! I always freak out when they use dolls and poke pins in them!

If you are going to sum up a whole religion based on one practice... I suggest you read a bit more huh?

American Heritage dictionary sucks. I never use that one.


JB

Yes.... and my point is that they are defined as cults by society, or those consisting of the "norm". In other words, it is subjective.

So the connotation... occult is what is prefered by us dirty Pagans though.....

Not a dirty Pagan, dearie. And I do celebrate anything... I'm the least religious person I know in a myriad of hypocritical ways. (Raised Catholic, should explain that) I'm well aware most of what I celebrate is pagan in a fashion.

Occult sounds much more appropriate.

I know what a cult is. You can know them by the amount of control they exert upon their members. I'm sure you firmly feel that I am wrong and you are right also. But I found your definition rather general.

I did read your post.



That definition does not describe a cult except to say that it is something not accepted in the society in which it exists.

Therefore, you could call anything that does not conform to society, a cult.

That is not the definition of what a cult is IMO.

JB

I can tell you 100% that voodoo is a religion. Its right here in my college textbook for World Religion. Its it, I repeat, it is a religion.

Yep. You seem to have read it. And extrapolated my point was a definition? I am not saying I am right..... I am stating my view based on the definition. Your post seemed to declare what is "right", based on mine being "wrong". It was most definitely a generality, as it is society who dictates what a cult is, by a myriad of standards. Control is not the only one.

I wear the dirty pagan crown with pride...

Ummm, sweetie..... My history textbook said Columbus discovered America. Textbooks lie. And the answer provided in your textbook was based on a societal view and standard of definition. I say I disagree with your book.

I assure you that Voodoo is indeed a religion. What do you think it is? I have an entire chapter about it right here in front of me Its a combination of African and Native (American) Carribean beliefs

all religions are cults unless first approved by the governement in which the belief is practice and then once approved by that particuar government the cult can be given the status of being a religion ...a religion approved under one governmental jurisdiction may be considered as being a cult under another governmental jurisdiction ...so that's why voodoo is a religion in some countries

Should people be free to join cults if they want? And what is wrong with cults anyway? I thought we had freedom of religion?

Meet a true mambo, and you'll never doubt it's authenticity again.

Your exactly right

African slaves in the Carribean mingled with the natives and voodoo is what came from that union of belief systems.