if the church locks the door during the service it is a cult.

It's difficult to tell because many of the people who are members of a cult will come off as very appealing to you, and they will act like they are your best friend as do members of normal Churches usually do. My only advice to you is if you feel uncomfortable about anything you are doing with this Church stop going.

the definition of the word cult includes just about any religion. you're thinking of the word as people use it colloquially, to denigrate "fringe" religions that they think have strange beliefs or practices. It's all a matter of perspective; some people think all the big religions' rituals are bizarre and creepy, too. you might think that your own religion's rituals are fine (you would, since you're accustomed to them), but that another's are weird. It doesn't make one religion a cult and another a "valid" or "true" religion.

It's a cult if your involvement begins to mean you represent their causes or ideals for the world. It's a cult if you are surrounded only by the other members - your new friends, as companions in your day to day life. It's a cult if you lose site of your own life goals, and if your own opinion about issues is no longer important for you to express. It's a cult if you no longer desire to spend time with your own family and lifelong friends.

Strictly speaking, all churches are cults -- the literal meaning of the word is not negative. However, most of us use "cult" these days to describe a religion with unusual beliefs that tries to isolate, exploit, and even abuse its members, and prevent them from leaving if they try. You might want to compare these two definitions of the word "cult" : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cult_%28religious_practice%29 the neutral meaning http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cult the less-neutral meaning These two links might help you identify some modern cults in the negative sense of the word: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anti-Cult_Movement article about anti-cult groups, with a good annotated section of external links presenting a range of views on cults, anti-cults, and cult watch sites. http://www.cultwatch.com/ an example of a cult watch site

That's an easy one. Since there is only one church, according to scripture, then it follows that if a church is NOT the one found in scripture it is nothing more than a cult.

The popular definition of cult is what was intended I presume. Cult is worship, is also the root of culture, that is normal ethical, moral, religious values and practices. Destructive Signs ofDangerous/Destructive Cult Activity are: If the leader(s) take on irrational control over members' lives; try to separate one from family, physically or emotionally; have bizarre ideas about regular churches/ denominations, the synagogue or mosque; violate civil law in serious ways, engage in any deviant sexual practices; insist on a form of confession of the past that is a form of mind - control where one's privacy is not respected; insist on having control of everyone's finances for THEIR life-style; force one into relationships dictated by the Leader(s; AND a Leader who claims some Divine incarnation; AND have a sense of the immediate End of the World. Run like heck! Some supposedly 'normal' versions of socially acceptable religious groups have some or all of those signs and are dangerous.

Yes, I'd like a more definite answer - no guessing.

In the case of Chriatin Churchs,the accepted definition of a "CULT", is their core belief denies that Jesus is the Only Begotten Son of God. Or they have "new special revelations" changing the meanings of the accepted "Holy Bible". If something troubles your "spirit" or your gut feeling, be very cautious.

I agree with most answers that there is little difference between church and cult religion -- Christianity and Buddhism both started as personality cults. The only cults I am worried about are the ones that encourage you to harm yourself or others, or that engage in hate-based thinking. re: comments I think it depends on how you measure the "winning cult formula" - both figures started with 1 devotee; their devotees are now measured in global proportions... I consider that a "winning forumula". Barjacob -- this is where we disagree -- I don't think American style fame and fortune are necessary ingredients of a "winning formula". They didn't have TV back then -- so everything happened by word of mouth -- a very slow process indeed.

If they worship something.

It is easy....all Churches are cults :)

The definition of a cult, as popularly understood, is when someone or some group attempts to manipulate and control others through a claim to special knowledge and revelation or through threats and intimidation. Jesus gave a good antidote to that by saying, "You shall call no man on earth Father, Lord, or Master... for you are all brothers" He created a fellowship of equals in contrast to a hierarchical organization of control. Over time, the tendency of human nature is to eliminate this risky liberty with forms and rules that are predictable. Human beings seek both familiarity and freedom, and sometimes freedom is just too threatening. It threatens the functioning of the bureaucracy or the financing. After all, Jesus wasn't crucified for nothing. He was killed because he posed a threat to the religious establishment which was using its power unjustly. www.is61.com - Pardoned or Paroled?

Check the Kool-aid!

The word has two meanings and some pretty good answers have been given above to the usual meaning. However, from the viewpoint of historical Christianity, a cult would be a counterfeit Christian religion that claims to be Christian and yet teaches a different God, a different Jesus and a different way of salvation. The short answer from an orthodox Christian viewpoint is that any religion that uses the Christian Scriptures but doesn't teach the doctrine of the Trinity would be a cult--a counterfeit Christianity. Counterfeits must of course resemble what they are counterfeiting very closely, but the doctrine of the Trinity as found in the three Creeds--Apostles' Nicene and Athanasian.

Having had experience with a number of cults, I have discovered that although each has its own motives and operations, all have one thing in common.All of those I had close up contact with denied the Deity of Jesus Christ.In the book of John we are told very plainly that Jesus is God. He was there in the beginning and He became flesh to pay the penalty that we all deserve. Each of the cults flat out denied this, some rather violently.

To me it would be a cult if it doesn't follow the Bible, but has its own doctrine, and a central figure -- and I use this merely as an example, because not all cult leaders are as bad, but I use Charles Manson as an example. There was something so hynotic and charismatic about him, that his followers were led to perform killings and evil acts, thinking they were doing good and pleasing him. This is an extreme, of course. However, there have been other cult leaders who have convinced their followers to do away with themselves in the name of love, devotion, or what have you. True religion is about God and follows the dictates of the Bible. It does not impose restrictions or penalties, or force its worshippers to perform acts that are unconscionable.

All religion is supposed to be based on GOD or a supreme being who leads(in righteousness) those who CHOOSE to follow.And this has much to do with those who are taking the lead the human part of a religious body.Cult leaders often mislead their followers,into thinking they are doing God's wil but in fact are doing their own bidding or that of the Devil,Satan-See Mathew 16:23 But Jesus turned and said to Peter, "Get out of my way, Satan! You are tempting me to sin. You aren't thinking the way God thinks but the way humans think-GWBible. so best way to find out if a church is a cult is 1:see whether their teachings originate with GOD ie. firmly based on the bible which is a book which is widely accepted as the word of God.Cults are usually the product of MEN not of GOD. 2.Any religion that practices illegal activities is most likely of cult origin,however,in special circumstance when the law of the land is against Gods law,although it is commanded to "obey God as ruler rather than men" it is up to the individual who he/she chooses to obey-GODS rule or mans-see Acts 5:29 Cults will usually deprive you of free will. 3.Cults are identified mainly by it's works.If it is cult you will notice the works done are not to accomplish the will of their GOD but their own.Mathew 7:20 Jesus said you will recognize them by their fruits-Good tree-Good fruits,bad tree-bad fruits.Examine their cause and see whether it is a human cause or if it originates with God. Although these are not guaranteed ways to identify cults it will give you some indication on whether a religion is a cult or not.It is easier to identify a cult,but a religion that is a cult is not as easily identified since it is very much relative.but one thing is for sure,there exists one who is misleading all humans and does not want us to be part of a religion that worships GOD-Satan the devil-(Revelation 12:9) Some cults are outright satan worshipers,beware of these,as they are most dangerous...since they are given their power by the devil.

I don't know about a cult so to speak, I personally steer away from the "POWER and CONTROL" thing . The early churches did not answer to any HEAD but Jesus and HIS WORD>. I also do not go with any religion saying they are the "ones". I've had some dealings I guess you'd say and I stay with my choice since I was a child because I HAVE READ WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS WE ARE SUPPOSED TO BE AND DO. Love, be humble , thankful and "let our light shine".

1st sign :they or individual denomination answer to any other than Christ who is THE HEAD of HIS CHURCH(body, not a denomination, building , sect). 2nd sign: they PROCLAIM they are the only TRUTH 3rd: they try to PREDICT Christ coming.. we are NOT to do this; just BE READY>> I have a 100 more,but the only way you can REALLY KNOW is reading and studying on your own pretty much...pointers now and then but we are individually responsible for our OWN SALVATION and we cannot rely on man's word, only GOD"S. so , how would you know if you don't read??

Read the bible.

If its beliefs do not agree with the Catholic Church it is a cult. Another good indicater is when the church was formed. For example if the church was formed in the 19th century it is obviously not the original....If there is not an old unbreakable record of tradition stay away.

How is the original a cult?

Imagine you're on a desert island with no-one to tell you about God, for your whole life. Wouldn't God then reveal himself to you, since no-one else can? That's my starting point. Read their religious texts and then look at the religious leaders. Do they practise what they preach? Or is it one law for you and they do whatever they like? Do they preach, "Look after the poor" or do they preach, "Give me all your money and I'll sort it out"? Do they place importance on rituals or on just being nice and looking after everyone? Do they say that you can go to God direct or do they claim to have a monopoly on God's phone line? That should get you started. I was born into Christianity and I chose to stay with it but I would describe myself as 'an average yob Christian'. Sure I try to follow the good book but I could be doing heaps better. Church is good, and has an important place in the world, but the best, most devoted religious people I have met are the ones who 'got answers directly from God'. ("I was up shit creek without a paddle, I cried out, and bugger me all these weird things started happening, the boat grew an outboard motor etc and I knew damn well that God was definitely looking after me" - those kinds of people.)

Ask God. Or haven't you heard yet? His sheep know His voice. If you wait long enough, He'll come. And when He does, He's always "Wonderful"

you know a church is a cult if it is part of an exclusive group and excommunicate you if you choose to have a brain and leave.

How is it like God to try to fool people? I don't think so. After all, He died to save us. He would try to work with our individual minds to bring us to the point of truly understanding right and wrong so we could make an honest choice, because He always always totally respects our right to choose, yet very much wishes us to choose right. That's how love works. I think you misjudge God if you think He's trying to trip us up somehow.

Assuming the church is christian, know the Bible, and if "they preach any other gospel than that which I preach unto you (in the words of the Apostle Paul), they are cursed, and a cult. Anything that sounds strange could be borderline cultish (if that is a word) for all perversions, additions, and deletions of the Bible can lead to cults.

CHECK THIS OUT! FOR MORE INFORMATION CLICK ON THE FOLLOWING http://sixscreensofthewatchtower.com/4spreadtheword.html

Usually, a cult operates by having a dominant person at the head and tends to try and isolate you from people who do not believe in their beliefs.

they all are!!!

If we define "cult" as cult specialists define it, a cult is a group that uses deception to recruit and threats or intimidation to retain membership. Most cults are structured in a pyramid and have a charismatic leader whose authority must not be questioned. Most cults use public confession as a means of control. The beliefs of a group have nothing to do with whether or not they are cults.