TO CULT OR NOT TO CULT

   The word "cult" is being thrown around frequently in the press and by certain "quasi" religious leaders during the current political upheaval occurring in the Republican Party as the next presidential election revs up. I use the term "quasi" religious leaders because these ministers apparently don't believe in practicing their avowed religion's original tenants.  They aren't sincere enough to live by the precepts of the founder of the Christian religion. I think it was Jesus who said:

 Mathew 5: 22 & 43-44 (KJV)

22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry  with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca (term of derision), shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire. 

 ***

43 ¶Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.

44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

   You belong to a "cult" is a semi acceptable way of saying to someone in this increasingly politically correct world of ours that what you believe is rubbish because it doesn't agree with what I believe.  Law suits abound over matters including: sexual bias, racism, antisemitism and ethnic slurs. But somehow religion, even though the free exercise of ones religious beliefs is a guarantee of the Constitution (1st Amendment I believe), seems to be a popular target of the media and oddly of one religious group against another.

I looked up the definitions for the word "cult" and found the following entries: 

 

1. A particular system of religious worship, especially with reference to its rites and ceremonies. (Any Church fits this definition)

2. An instance of great veneration of a person, ideal, or thing, especially as manifested by a body of admirers. (For Christians that person is Jesus Christ)

3. The object of such devotion. (Christ again)

4. A group or sect bound together by veneration of the same thing, person, ideal, etc. (Again, any religious sect)

5. Sociology--a group having a sacred ideology and a set of rites centering around their sacred symbols. (Any religious group qualifies)

6. A religion or sect considered to be false, unorthodox, or extremist, with members often living outside of conventional society under the direction of a charismatic leader. (This is the definition one religious group throws toward another which does not believe the same things they do. What most Christian sects fail to acknowledge is that from the point of view of any other sect their view of Christianity is false, unorthodox, or extremist.  All current Christian religions, including Catholicism, were once considered cults by the majority religion of the time they were founded.)
  
  It seems a bit hypocritical for one group of Christians to point their fingers at another and cry "cult!" As you can see any religious group or community can be called a cult. For me what should be practiced is a little less religion and a bit more Christianity.