Cult like behavior is when any movement not only claims some novelty of special revelation hidden from the rest of mankind, but also characterized by discouragement or consequences for its members to inquire into the rational basis of the belief system or practices, nor if there are concerns about the character and behavior of a (typically charismatic) leader of the movement. You know its a cult like movement if you cannot freely and openly study and question the logical coherence of its belief system, and also if it consistently shies away from taking its strongest criticisms seriously and fairly.
Yes cult like behavior can and does exist within say the broader Christian tradition and its various offshoots, especially in American and other folk traditions susceptible to superstitious thinking or heavily experiential religious affections.
As an aside, this is why I am in the Presbyterian tradition with eyes wide open, at its best it has functional built in checks and balances throughout the church government in regards to doctrines and practices, specifically to protect the members from abusive or heretical or cultic leadership, and the standards are found within biblically based historical creeds and confessions that stood the test of time. I at least can assure you Calvinists understand the corruptibility of human behavior better than anyone else I can think of, and in church governance they planned for it to be a continual issue so implemented many stop gaps and systems of accountability. Still perhaps imperfect but closest to the New Testament model and worlds away from anything-goes religious despots.
religious movements can be cult like.
Cult like behavior is when any movement not only claims some novelty of special revelation hidden from the rest of mankind, but also characterized by discouragement or consequences for its members to inquire into the rational basis of the belief system or practices, nor if there are concerns about the character and behavior of a (typically charismatic) leader of the movement. You know its a cult like movement if you cannot freely and openly study and question the logical coherence of its belief system, and also if it consistently shies away from taking its strongest criticisms seriously and fairly.
Yes cult like behavior can and does exist within say the broader Christian tradition and its various offshoots, especially in American and other folk traditions susceptible to superstitious thinking or heavily experiential religious affections.
As an aside, this is why I am in the Presbyterian tradition with eyes wide open, at its best it has functional built in checks and balances throughout the church government in regards to doctrines and practices, specifically to protect the members from abusive or heretical or cultic leadership, and the standards are found within biblically based historical creeds and confessions that stood the test of time. I at least can assure you Calvinists understand the corruptibility of human behavior better than anyone else I can think of, and in church governance they planned for it to be a continual issue so implemented many stop gaps and systems of accountability. Still perhaps imperfect but closest to the New Testament model and worlds away from anything-goes religious despots.