cult of

Definition of cult of in English English dictionary
cult: Devotion to a saint
cult: A group or doctrine with religious, philosophical or cultural identity sometimes viewed as a sect, often existing on the margins of society or exploitative towards its members
cult: -An organized group of people devoted to beliefs and goals which are not held by the majority of society, often religious in nature In this book used to refer to an organized, covert perpetrator group
cult: A religious group that follows a particular theological system In the context of Christianity, and in particular, CARM, it is a group that uses the Bible but distorts the doctrines that affect salvation sufficiently to cause salvation to be unattainable A few examples of cults are Mormonism, Jehovah's Witnesses, Christian Science, Christadelphians, Unity, Religious Science, The Way International, and the Moonies (See also Cults)
cult: In modern general usage a cult is a religious group that follows a living leader who promotes new and unorthodox doctrines and practices, normally a small fringe group centered around a single charismatic individual who uses unethical forms of persuasion to manipulate followers Usually they conduct their operations in secrecy NOTE: Although some misguided opposers and ex-Witnesses bent on justifying their leaving the Truth have tried to refer to the organization of Jehovah's Witnesses as a cult, it is obvious that these accusers are uninformed or prejudiced or both There is nothing freakish about our religion or conduct We are well-known to society as model citizens, not fanatics We live and work among the community, maintain the highest moral and ethical standards, show love to our neighbors, and even to our enemies, are well-educated, adhere to the Bible, and claim no man or group of men as leader (See the outstanding cover series in [w94 2/15] )
cult: Enjoyed by a small, loyal group
cult: A system of religious belief and its followers
cult: Cult is from the Latin [cultus] meaning to cultivate, and by extension, any group or sect which cultivates, or 'promotes growth' through their beliefs to make proselytes In modern Theological terms, the word is generally reserved for religious groups which (in contrast to classical Christianity, of having God's Word as their authority) blindly give authority to their leader These leaders are often venerated, and manipulate and control the group through their charisma, deception, fear, and even perceived power Anyone having a fanatical veneration of, or loyalty to, a human leader, animal, or thing [back]
cult: disapproval The cult of something is a situation in which people regard that thing as very important or special. Meanwhile the personality cult around this campaigner grew. cult film/band/figure etc a film, music group etc that has become very popular but only among a particular group of people. Collective veneration or worship (e.g., the cult of the saints meaning collective veneration of the saints in Roman Catholicism). In the West, the term has come to be used for groups that are perceived to have deviated from normative religions in belief and practice. They typically have a charismatic leader and attract followers who are in some way disenfranchised from the mainstream of society. Cults as thus defined are often viewed as foreign or dangerous
cult: a system of religious beliefs and rituals; "devoted to the cultus of the Blessed Virgin"
cult: Of, or relating to a cult
cult: A cult is a fairly small religious group, especially one which is considered strange. The teenager may have been abducted by a religious cult
cult: Attentive care; homage; worship
cult: A religious group with practices and teachings outside the dominant cultural and religious traditions of a society
cult: Someone or something that is a cult has become very popular or fashionable among a particular group of people. Ludlam was responsible for making Ridiculous Theatre something of a cult
cult: By its primary dictionary definition, the term cult just means a system of religious beliefs or rituals It is based on a farming term in Latin meaning cultivation Sociologists and anthropologists sometimes use the term cult to describe religious structure or belief patterns with meanings (usually non-pejorative) unique to their disciplines In modern usage, the term cult is often used by the general public to describe any religious group they view as strange or dangerous Thus, cult can describe religious leaders or organizations that employ abusive, manipulative, or illegal control over their followers' lives In addition to these usages, Christians generally have a doctrinal component to their use of the word Cult in this sense, is a counterfeit or serious deviation from the doctrines of classical Christianity (definition from the Watchman Fellowship website)
cult: Cult is used to describe things that are very popular or fashionable among a particular group of people. Since her death, she has become a cult figure The film is destined to become a cult classic
cult: Veneration ( or honoring ) of a saint expressed in public acts, local or universal, and formally approved by the Pope
cult: a system of religious beliefs and rituals; "devoted to the cultus of the Blessed Virgin" adherents of an exclusive system of religious beliefs and practices
cult: A group or doctrine with religious, philosophical or cultural identity sometimes viewed as a sect, often existent on the margins of society and/or exploitative towards its members
cult: {i} system of religious rituals; extreme religious sect
cult: the rituals and religious practices at a temple or other place of worship For instance, the cult of the Jerusalem Temple means the religious practices observed there, with no judgment about their value implied in the term
cult: Common Use Land Transportation
cult: A religious group that follows a particular theological system In the context of Christianity it is a group that uses the Bible but distorts the doctrines that affect salvation sufficiently to cause salvation to be unattainable A few examples of cults are Mormonism, Jehovah's Witnesses, Christian Science, Christadelphians, Unity, Religious Science, TheWay International, and the Moonies
cult: A system of religious belief and worship
cult: Due to the stereotyping, this term has been abandoned by sociologists in favor of new religious movements (See 331)
cult: adherents of an exclusive system of religious beliefs and practices
cult: The formal organization and practice of worship, usually associated with a sanctuary and involving a regular cycle of sacrifices, prayers, and hymns under the direction of priests and other leaders; when used in biblical studies the term is descriptive and does not imply anything dark, devilish, false, or unseemly, as is often the case in modern uses of the term
cult: an interest followed with exaggerated zeal; "he always follows the latest fads"; "it was all the rage that season"
cult: Obsessive devotion or veneration for a person, principle, or ideal