That's a good definition, Sal, very complete, better than the Merriam-Webster one. What dictionary is it from, if I may ask?
--- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Sal Sunshine <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Agreed. But the modern, perverted meaning we throw around today is in > part what makes it so interesting, since those who do belong to > religious groups that fit the "cult" definition would often be > horrified to think they are part of one. And yet the group as well as > the group's behavior oftentimes almost perfectly fits into the list of > cult characteristics somebody posted here. Anyway, here is the > dictionary def. 3, 4 and 5 seem to define most mainstream religions > today. > > 1a. 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. b. The > followers of such a religion or sect. 2. A system or community of > religious worship and ritual. 3. The formal means of expressing > religious reverence; religious ceremony and ritual. 4. A usually > nonscientific method or regimen claimed by its originator to have > exclusive or exceptional power in curing a particular disease. 5a. > Obsessive, especially faddish, devotion to or veneration for a person, > principle, or thing. b. The object of such devotion. 6. An exclusive > group of persons sharing an esoteric, usually artistic or intellectual > interest. > ETYMOLOGY: > Latin cultus, worship, from past participle of colere, to cultivate. > See kwel-1 in Appendix I. > > On Sep 27, 2005, at 12:36 AM, TurquoiseB wrote: > > > --- In FairfieldLife@yahoogroups.com, Sal Sunshine <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > > wrote: > > > I'm wondering what exactly separates a cult from a "regular" > > religion > > > to begin with. The main difference that I can see in most cases is > > > simply higher numbers. Beyond that, aren't they all somewhat > > > cult-like? > > > > In my opinion, yes, most of them are. If you look > > up the actual definition of 'cult' in the dictionary, > > you'll find that it has little to do with the modern, > > perverted meaning of the word we throw around today. > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > To subscribe, send a message to: > > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > > > Or go to: > > http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FairfieldLife/ > > and click 'Join This Group!' > > > > > > > > SPONSORED LINKS > > Maharishi university of management > > Maharishi mahesh yogi > > Ramana maharshi > > > > YAHOO! GROUPS LINKS > > > > ⪠ Visit your group "FairfieldLife" on the web. > >  > > ⪠ To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: > > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > >  > > ⪠ Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of > > Service. > > > > ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~--> Get fast access to your favorite Yahoo! Groups. Make Yahoo! your home page http://us.click.yahoo.com/dpRU5A/wUILAA/yQLSAA/JjtolB/TM --------------------------------------------------------------------~-> To subscribe, send a message to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Or go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FairfieldLife/ and click 'Join This Group!' Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FairfieldLife/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
