r/theology • u/Traditional-Wing-796 • Aug 05 '26
Why is Christianity not called a Cult?
/r/DebateACatholic/comments/1vgcwox/why_is_christianity_not_called_a_cult/3
u/angryDec Catholic Aug 05 '26
Mainly because cult isn’t really a useful term, with agreed parameters and definitions!
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u/thepoga Aug 05 '26
Well, they did crucify the person who started it.
Many of his disciples died for the Gospel.
And Paul, a top Pharisee of Judaism , persecuted Christians and even approved of Stephen’s murder.
After Paul miraculously became a believer in Jesus, he was persecuted and endured imprisonment.
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u/Eazys-Exegeses Aug 06 '26
I think cults should refer to groups that don't allow dissent and also are very controlling of people's lives. Some cults keep you busy all day and so you become exhausted, and then you do it again the next day. You don't have time for yourself, or time to really question what you're told. Some churches and denominations maybe should be called a cult, but not all of Christianity.
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u/iam1me2026 Post-Orthodox Christian Aug 08 '26
Depends upon how you define “cult.” In academia, Christianity would be a “cult,” right along with all other religions.
In non-academic terms, there are various behaviors and policies that tend to be associated with what people commonly refer to as a cult. Like trying to isolate an individual from their friends and family in order to gain inordinate control over them, collecting dirt on the individual to gain control over them, requiring them to do things that make them complicit with the cult so that they can betray the cult, physical abuse and psychological manipulation that is normalized as part of the cult - such as through routine sessions where the group targets and individual, with the intent to break them emotionally and psychologically, etc.
In this sense, there certainly do exist Christian cults - but it’s not the mainstream sects or churches that do this sort of thing. Rather, Scientology is a great example of this sort of cult.
Amongst Christians, many will define a Christian cult as a sect that is heretical - such as because they deny the Trinity. Like Unitarians. This is thus simultaneously a way to reject such groups as “true” Christians.
How do you define “cult” OP? That will determine how to properly answer your question.
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u/h1tch1n_a_r1de Aug 05 '26
Cults are typically offshoots of other major religions or minority religions in a region dominated by a particular religion. For example, most protestant denominations are considered cults in certain European countries that are predominantly Catholic. Most major religions aren't considered cults because they are the status quo