Cult is a loaded word. The original meaning of the word is simply a system or community of religious worship and ritual. However, Americans usually mean an extremist sect whose followers often live in an unconventional manner under the guidance of an authoritarian, charismatic leader. That seems to apply to early Mormonism, although in fairness, most religions (including Christainity generally) fall into that category at some time in their history. Mormons take proclaim that they are "peculiar people", but their current unconventionality is not nearly as peculiar as it was under the prophets Joseph Smith and Brigham Young. Neither are most 20th/21st century prophets as authoritarian or charismatic as the early prophets. Mormons are unconventional to a degree, and the church is authoritarian to a degree--but not nearly as much as it was 150 years ago. Below is a list of the common properties of potentially destructive and dangerous cults--from factnet.org, which tries to raise awareness of organizations like Scientology. Early Mormonism can be described by all of these characteristics. Some people might see modern Mormonism as cult-like because of its focus on recruitment and growth, the idea that a prophet heads the church, the idea that they have THE answer, the admonition from prophets to read only "faith promoting" accounts of church history. However, the modern Mormon church is much more mainstream than ever. Common Properties of Potentially Destructive and Dangerous Cults 1. The cult is authoritarian in its power structure. The leader is regarded as the supreme authority. He or she may delegate certain power to a few subordinates for the purpose of seeing that members adhere to the leader's wishes and roles. There is no appeal outside of his or her system to greater systems of justice. For example, if a school teacher feels unjustly treated by a principal, appeals can be made. In a cult, the leader claims to have the only and final ruling on all matters. 2. The cult's leaders tend to be charismatic, determined, and domineering. They persuade followers to drop their families, jobs, careers, and friends to follow them. They (not the individual) then take over control of their followers' possessions, money, lives. 3. The cult's leaders are self-appointed, messianic persons who claim to have a special mission in life. 4. The cult's leaders center the veneration of members upon themselves. Priests, rabbis, ministers, democratic leaders, and leaders of genuinely altruistic movements keep the veneration of adherents focused on God, abstract principles, and group purposes. Cult leaders, in contrast, keep the focus of love, devotion, and allegiance on themselves. 5. The cult tends to be totalitarian in its control of the behavior of its members. Cults are likely to dictate in great detail what members wear, eat, when and where they work, sleep, and bathe-as well as what to believe, think, and say. 6. The cult tends to have a double set of ethics. Members are urged to be open and honest within the group, and confess all to the leaders. On the other hand, they are encouraged to deceive and manipulate outsiders or nonmembers. Established religions teach members to be honest and truthful to all, and to abide by one set of ethics. 7. The cult has basically only two purposes, recruiting new members and fund-raising. Established religions and altruistic movements may also recruit and raise funds. However, their sole purpose is not to grow larger; such groups have the goals to better the lives of their members and mankind in general. The cults may claim to make social contributions, but in actuality these remain mere claims, or gestures. Their focus is always dominated by recruiting new members and fund-raising. 8. The cult appears to be innovative and exclusive. The leader claims to be breaking with tradition, offering something novel, and instituting the only viable system for change that will solve life's problems or the world's ills. While claiming this, the cult then surreptitiously uses systems of psychological coercion on its members to inhibit their ability to examine the actual validity of the claims of the leader and the cult.

"Cult" is a loaded word, and it's too subjective to have one definition. People love to use it as a pejorative term for any religion that they dislike, especially if it's a minority group compared to that of the person using the word. My college roommate was Mormon, and we have discussed religion. Some of the history and beliefs of the LDS Church make no sense to me and probably never will. Others actually seem more logical to me than some more "traditional" Christian theology. I've heard several people call the LDS Church a cult, and my impression is that it's a surface reaction to ideas like baptism by proxy and temple ceremonies that just don't make sense to the rest of us. There's no getting around the fact that some LDS beliefs seem very odd to non-members, but it's unfortunate that the c-word gets thrown about excessively as a result. To me, cults are groups that harm their members or seek to manipulate "lost soul" types. Now, for all my skepticism about translating golden plates and according the priesthood to teenagers, I do know that every Mormon I've ever met has been a highly functioning member of society with truly admirable family values and community spirit. Interestingly, though, Mormons are officially and legally a cult in France ("secte" in French). But the French government makes that distinction purely based on the number of members living in France (something to do with tax-exempt status of churches), and France has never been an LDS stronghold! Please note: I've referred to beliefs and practices that I know strike non-Mormons as being odd. I apologize in advance if there are factual errors, although this question does ask for a non-Mormon perspective and I can vouch that, right or wrong, these perceptions form part of it. I hope the LDS population of Answerbag will not consider my stated nonbelief in these things as a slur on their religion, as it was most emphatically not intended as such.

By definition, a cult is 1 : formal religious veneration : WORSHIP 2 : a system of religious beliefs and ritual; also : its body of adherents By this, Baptists would be considered a cult and so would any other religion. The reason people refer to Mormons as a cult is because they simple do not like us. Think of Christ. Was he ever accepted by non believers while he was on this earth? People always conspired against him. Matt 12:14 Then the Pharisees went out, and held a council against him, how they might destroy him. Matt 12:24 But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils. I would venture to say that truth is never fully accepted by all. In fact, i would say that Satan would fight harder against the full truth because he doesn't want people following the truth. So all of this anti-Mormon material that is distributed to try and get people against our church just strengthens my belief in it. I know Christ lived and he died for us. I also know that he was not accepted. If he was, they wouldn't have killed him.

The definitions of the word cult taken from the dictionary are listed below . I believe that if you go by the definition described in #3, #4 and #7, Mormonism is a cult. Mormons may believe in Jesus Christ as the Son of God but it is all the other stuff that makes them different from true Christians. The Bible says that nothing should be added to or taken from His word. By believing in the Book of Mormon, they are "adding to" the Word of God. That is wrong. Christians believe that the Bible is the true and inspired Word of God. That the Bible is "God breathed". Christians do not believe that the Book of Mormon has anything to do with God at all. Christians believe it is a book inspired by Joseph Smith who was just a man and not a prophet like Moses or Daniel or Paul to name just a few. cult [ kult ] (plural cults) noun 1. religion: a system of religious or spiritual beliefs, especially an informal and transient belief system regarded by others as misguided or unorthodox 2. religious group: a group of people who share religious or spiritual beliefs 3. idolization of somebody or something: extreme or excessive admiration for a person, philosophy of life, or activity ( often used before a noun ) a cult following 4. object of idolization: a person, philosophy, or activity regarded with extreme or excessive admiration 5. fad: something popular or fashionable among a devoted group of enthusiasts ( often used before a noun ) cult status 6. ethnology system of supernatural beliefs: a body of organized practices and beliefs supposed to involve interaction with and control over supernatural powers 7. elite group: a self-identified group of people who share a narrowly defined interest or perspective [Early 17th century. Directly or via French from Latin cultus “worship” (the original sense in English), from colere (see culture).] cul·tic adjective cult·ish adjective cult·ish·ly adverb cult·ish·ness noun cult·ism noun cult·ist noun

In the most fundamental definition of a Cult {an organization that teaches a belief} Yes, but I would add that all others Churches, and any organization with a mission statement falls into the same category.

Many of the people who consider the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints a "cult" also consider the Roman Catholic Church a "cult." The word is used purely subjectively to mean "anyone who doesn't believe the way I believe." However, the main reason that some people consider Mormonism a cult is because of the anti-Mormons' tendency to distort and mislead in order to sell books and CDs, or to find some reason to feel superior. If their own beliefs were treated the same way, they would appear just as cultish. What a Saint will call milk and honey, the anti-Mormons will call "repeatedly digested grass" and "bee spit" in order to twist public opinion.

That's going to depend enitrely on how you define a "cult." By some definitions, I suppose it could be considered a cult, particularly if you consider the more extremist Mormans who still practice polygamy. But it's really undeserved and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is not usually considered a "cult" by the media, which tells the tale if anything does. Aaron, the question didn't ask if Mormons were "true Christians." It asked if Mormanism is a cult, and that's the question I answered. Also, if you read what I wrote carefully, you'll realize that I feel Mormons are NOT a "cult." Please be sure you understand the WHOLE answer before submitting your rating. Also please remember that answers should be rated by how well they answer the question that was actually asked.

Then the answer is No...Because the word has refference to the 'Occult' devil worship, witchcraft & Sorcery which the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints / MORMONS (note the spelling) are against. Im sorry for Saying we are 'true christians' i sure have learned my lesson! Not to say what I feel instead of answering the Question.

Using these thirteen criteria, the LDS, Mormon religion qualifies in all thirteen categories as a cult. 1. "The group focuses on a living leader to whom its members appear to be extraordinarily committed." 2. "The group focuses heavily on recruiting new members." 3. "The group focuses heavily on making money" 4. "Members who question, doubt, or dissent with the group's beliefs are discouraged or punished." 5. "The group uses techniques that numb the mind to suppress doubts about the group and its leaders. These include long work routines, denunciation sessions, meditating, chanting, or speaking in tongues." 6. "The group's leaders tell members how they should act, think, and feel. For example, members must get their love life and jobs okayed. Leaders may tell them what kind of clothes to wear, where to live, how to raise their children, etc." 7. "The group sees itself as especially and uniquely blessed; for example, the leader is believed to be a Messiah or avatar, or the leader and the group have special orders to save the world." 8. "The group has an us-versus-them outlook, which puts it in conflict with mainstream culture." 9. "The group's leaders are accountable only to themselves and are not guided by or disciplined by any higher authorities as are, for example, military officers, and the ministers, priests, and rabbis of mainstream religions. The group believes its goals justify methods that members would have considered unethical before joining, such as raising money for fake charities." 10. "The leaders manipulate the members into feeling guilty in order to maintain control." 11. "Because members become subservient to the group, they cut ties to friends, families and the personal goals and activities they had before joining." 12. "The group expects its members to devote inordinate amounts of time to it." 13. "The group encourages or requires its members to live or socialize only with each other." http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Meadows/1247/cult.htm

It does depend on what you mean by a cult. If you look up "cult" in websters, the number one definition is the following: "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. The followers of such a religion or sect." Thinking about this definition, it seems there are a vast number of cults. I personaly think that there is a certain context in which people label another religion as a cult. For example, If I was devout Muslim and another relgious group started calling themselves Muslim but perverted the teachings of the Koran, I would call that relgious group a cult. Same can be said of Mormonism... If a relgious group claimed to be Mormons but perverted the Mormon scriptures and teachings, they would be considered a cult... from a Mormons perspective (please correct me if I am wrong). It is my belief as a Christain that Mormonism perverts the teachings of Christ and the Bible, the foundation of Christian beliefs. Therefore from my (a Christain's) perspective Mormonism is a cult.

Using the 13 criteria, no, Mormonism is no more a cult than any other Christian church: 1. "The group focuses on a living leader to whom its members appear to be extraordinarily committed." Based on this, Christianity is a cult, because CHRIST LIVES. However, Mormons are not committed to any Earthly leader. We respect our Prophet and are grateful to have a prophet living among us, but are not committed to him. 2. "The group focuses heavily on recruiting new members." Any church which isn't involved with recruiting new members is disobeying Christ. 3. "The group focuses heavily on making money" Unlike the peer-pressure plate-passing of many other Christian churches, members of the Church of Jesus Christ make their offerings privately, and the money doesn't go to pay men to preach. 4. "Members who question, doubt, or dissent with the group's beliefs are discouraged or punished." Please show me any church which doesn't "discourage or punish" public dissent with its doctrines by membership. If you don't hold with the doctrines of your church, can you truly consider yourself a member? 5. "The group uses techniques that numb the mind to suppress doubts about the group and its leaders. These include long work routines, denunciation sessions, meditating, chanting, or speaking in tongues." None of these are part of Mormonism, though they are part of a number of other Christian churches, which use repetitive scripts to direct their meetings and activities. 6. "The group's leaders tell members how they should act, think, and feel. For example, members must get their love life and jobs okayed. Leaders may tell them what kind of clothes to wear, where to live, how to raise their children, etc." Christ told us how we should act, think and feel all through the New Testament. Where is the Christian church which doesn't teach against adultery and other sexual sins (thus "okaying" the love life) or that children are to be raised in loving homes and without brutality and abuse? Beyond that, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints doesn't control the lives of members. 7. "The group sees itself as especially and uniquely blessed; for example, the leader is believed to be a Messiah or avatar, or the leader and the group have special orders to save the world." Christ IS the Messiah. 8. "The group has an us-versus-them outlook, which puts it in conflict with mainstream culture." "Mainstream culture" prizes and rewards fornication, adultery, divorce, abortion, drunkeness, drug abuse, lies and bigotry. True Christianity opposes all of these things. 9. "The group's leaders are accountable only to themselves and are not guided by or disciplined by any higher authorities as are, for example, military officers, and the ministers, priests, and rabbis of mainstream religions. The group believes its goals justify methods that members would have considered unethical before joining, such as raising money for fake charities." The first part of this describes every organization in the world -- go up the chain and eventually you reach someone who has nobody to pass the buck to. The last part in no way reflects any facet of Mormonism, and in fact such activities would result in excommunication. 10. "The leaders manipulate the members into feeling guilty in order to maintain control." This doesn't describe Mormonism in any way. 11. "Because members become subservient to the group, they cut ties to friends, families and the personal goals and activities they had before joining." This doesn't describe Mormonism in any way, except that activities such as gang membership or wine-tasting societies are left behind when someone becomes active as a Latter-day Saint because the lifestyles are mutually exclusive. 12. "The group expects its members to devote inordinate amounts of time to it." You've got me there. One poem goes "Mary had a little lamb, it grew to be a sheep; then it joined the Mormon Church and died from lack of sleep!" Being an active Latter-day Saint involves meetings on Sunday, plus Family Home Evening on Monday, youth group meetings and seminary studies during the week, singles or youth dances, fireside meetings, periodic conferences, Scouting, youth camp and a few things that I haven't remembered. Far better, from the "mainstream" point of view, to waste the days playing video games, indulging in teen sex, boozing and hanging out on streetcorners. I think I like our way better. 13. "The group encourages or requires its members to live or socialize only with each other." The closest that Mormonism comes to this is advising us to seek our friends among good people rather than those who would lead us into sin. Unlike many Protestants, Mormons don't pick our friends based on religion. So, as you see, we stack up pretty much the same as the rest of Christianity, maybe a little better in some ways than other churches.

Yes it is. It attacks the diety of Christ and any religion that does this is considered a cult! Mormons do not worship the God of the bible, they worship a false god whom Joshep Smith ( a man)made up! Mormans are people that are decieved and need to turn from the lies and fabels they believe!

Yes it is and in this video you will see that from a man who finally understood that. Believe it or not deception blinds you and becomes truth to you until you decide to let the vails on your eyes come off! I can personally testify to that. Mormon leaders have said it themselves "mormonism has occultic roots" Surely the Mormons should take heed to their own leaders or prophets! "For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. " (Mark 13:6) It may take a couple minutes to buffer

I just happened across a very good essay that addresses this issue. It was written by Orson Scott Card, a very well know author of science fiction. It can be found at http://www.beliefnet.com/story/49/story_4906_1.html (In the link above, AB ads an erroneous %20 to the address. Delete this to get to the correct address.)

There are two definitions of "cult". Many people define cult as something that's founded on excessive devotion to one person, such as Joseph Smith or, later, Brigham Young. The second and more useful definition of a cult is a religion that claims to be Christian with a different God, a different Jesus and a different way of salvation. The Mormon God has a physical body and did not beget his Son in the mystical way that Christianity teaches; also, Mormonism teaches that there are both a Holy Ghost and a Holy Spirit. So this contradicts the Christian doctrine of the Trinity, laid out in the Nicene Creed. The Mormon Jesus is also quite a bit different from the Christian Jesus, inasmuch as he seems to have been married to both Mary and Martha, if Walter Martin's book is correct. And the Mormon definition and way of salvation is quite different from traditional Christianity--it is much more works-based and if the elders I spoke to were correct, each married Mormon man will be able to start a whole new planet or even star system, populating it with his wife or wives and spreading the faith throughout the universe. Each Mormon then can become a god, and this is the biggest difference between LSD and Christianity. Christianity teaches that there is only one God, always has been and always will be that way. Mormonism teaches that they only have to deal with one God, but that there are others beside him and that each married Mormon man can become a god someday. So Mormonism is polytheism; and this is as great a difference with Christianity as atheism is.

In short, yes. To flesh that out slightly, the LDS is based on a major unverifiable "revelation" which claims there was a large gap in history in which no-one knew the truth, and all were lost. They separated themselves from Christianity for a long time, and claimed to be something new, so they themselves admit they are different. They try very hard to keep people from leaving, and have invented dreadful ramifications for leaving, not limited to religious ones. They have a remarkable (for this day) inequality of gender. They have reinvented God so he is a god to fit into their moulds, and they can become gods themselves. There are many other things to say, but a limited space, and these are the ones that come to mind immediately that feel they are some of the larger marks of a cult in the LDS, with some effort not to overlap the above post too much.