Are all cults bad, what do you think?

Any group that manipulates susceptible individuals for its own motives is not good. Most, if not all cults and religions fall into this practice.

Edit: Buddy R. Learn what atheism is, it is certainly not a cult.

Learn history, any tyrant that has murdered "millions" of people might have been atheist, but didn't murder in the name of atheism, unlike Christianity.

Learn about intellectual dishonesty. To propagate these lies is a sin by your own definition.

Any Cult I believe should be avoided at all cost

There isn't a believe system on the Planet that don't have cults that try and attach themselves including my own

I can only speak regarding Buddhism and the most well known are

New Kadampa Tradition

SGI

Dark Zent

To non Buddhists it is very difficult to tell these from the authentic Schools and sadly many people get caught out

At the end of the day They really are best avoided

The people deceived by cults may not be bad. That's probably why you have that impression. Mormons are some of the nicest people I've ever known, yet they are in a cult.

All cults are harmful. I speak as a biblical Christian when I say that all cults deviate from the truth about God, and therefore lead all followers to Hell (or distract them from the one way to be saved).

Just as a logical human being concerned for others I say that all cults are harmful because they (the cult system / leaders) are seeking to control and manipulate its followers whether for money or simply power over others.

Some would say the same about religion, and I'd agree. Many teachers and churches that claim to be from the Holy Bible do not teach the truth about God, and distort the freedom to be found in a relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.

For the truth, seek for God in the Holy Bible for yourself.

A cult is a group of people that all believe or agree on a common set of rules or principles.

The Boy Scouts are a cult as are all the members of the Cousteau Society.

Perhaps you need to go back to school and figure out what the heck you are talking about.

The definition of a cult is a group that brainwashes its members.

I wouldn't think interracting with cult members would be bad per se, but being IN a cult is a different story.

Yes, because the cult member (willingly or by being deceived into it) gives up thinking for himself and cedes that to the cult leadership. That's very dangerous, even in a seemingly benign cult.

I think that all cults are harmful to some degree. Some are way worse than others, I agree with that.

it depends on how bad you want to get out, then you'll find out the worst...Try for example leaving the JW's after you have joined them or the Children of God, after you have signed all your possessions over to them or become involved with the Scientologists and their beliefs that they are descended from aliens and moonbeams. It's always easier to get (you) in, because they have trained spotters that are designed to answer all your questions but lo and behold if you ever want a change of scenery or even to just go home...too late...too late..Brainwashing and being bamboozled are common tactics to keep you there. Inacurate teachings, lies and subtle misconceptions or misrepresenting the truth, all whilst giving lots of wide smiles are common too. They must all read the same manual!

So hope this helps you to remember that peace of mind never comes from living in a cult. You are always busy, busy....leading busy lives.

Definition of cult:

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.

What do you think I think?

I think you are right. To my anger some years ago, I found that some traditional Christian Church's were teaching that OTHER not so traditional Church's were cults. One of those church's being taught to be a cult was the church that I came "closer" to believing than any other. This Christian Church teaching "falsehood" didn't even have their facts straight about what my preferred Church believed and told those present that "my church" didn't believe Jesus was the Son of God. Not true........ I think that people who check out "cults" or religions or non-traditional religious orders are SEARCHING and people who search are really being WISE to study so hard for the "truths" of life that will lead to a greater happiness. It can be a wonderfully enlightening thing, or it can be a nightmare.....you ask why?

Because sometimes when people "search" it is for good reasons and they are "strong" in a sense of their own SELF with good internal common sense that keeps them "out of harms way" and prevents them from falling "prey" to those who would seek to "steal" their lives and souls............and sometimes the people searching are looking for someone to "tell them what to do, how to do it and someone who will live their lives for them." The latter are likely to find something they didn't want or NEED! We must always remember that God challenges us to PROVE all things. How, well the Bible interprets itself if you search hard enough and it says "you shall know them by their works." If you think about it thats a pretty heavy sentence. BUT SO TRUE. If you see a bunch of "members" clad in all white, begging for dollars and with a look like "emptiness" in their eyes...and if you try to talk to them and the same sentences and quotes and phrases come from to many people it shows that "someone" or "something" has stolen them away! (Minds, that is.) God made us individuals for a good reason. No two humans are alike. We are to find ourselves, not sculpture our looks, mannerisms, words and beliefs to be EXACTLY like someone else, or the EXACT way any other IMPERFECT HUMAN tells us we SHOULD BE. When you have the opportunity to speak to someone who is STRONG in character, who they are and who they want to be and WHO will speak out amid critisism sometimes to SAY SOMETHING different that what others or a MAJORITY may be saying...they still MIGHT NOT be right, but they have STRENGTH OF CHARACTER and are on the right track toward finding THEIR PERSONAL place in the world AND OUT SIDE OF IT.

I RUN the other way as fast as I can.....when I hear someone begging for money in ANY FORM. (The Bible says the love of money is the root of all evil) and in my life I have found that to be true in so many areas! It has helped to RUIN our nation. So viewing this TRUTH shows me that the people begging "should be known by their works."

In my opinion those seeking the realm of Satan for worship or whatever they wish to obtain by doing such things and believing such things, are simply "showing stupidity." God defeated Satan LONG AGO...they are already on the losing side! Sometimes it is simply to "be different" or to satisfy a need to "scare others." They don't scare me.

So seach AWAY....God wants us to find wisdom. But make sure you are using a tool to make sure what you find, measures up to the standard of "proving good and honest works."

Blessings to you,

Bunny7