Is Christianity a cult? In order to answer this question, we must first understand what we mean by the word "cult." When people say that a religious group is a cult, they typically mean that it has one or more of the following characteristics: Overly aggressive recruitment/evangelization False/deceptive teaching, including hyperexclusivism: Prior to the beginning of the group, everyone was lost/condemned/without any true knowledge Only a very small, exclusive set of people (i.e. the group members) will be saved/enter heaven Use of brainwashing techniques, including: Questioning of the group's teaching/leadership forbidden Isolation (physical or forced isolation, or encouragement to break contact with family and friends) Sleep deprivation and other abusive practices Financial exploitation of members (ultimately profiting the leaders) Emotional explotation of young adults, the elderly, etc. Unfortunately, there are Christian and pseudo-Christian individuals and groups who exhibit one or more of the above characteristics. The purpose of this article is not to prove that any and all Christians or Christian groups the reader may have encountered are not cults or using cultic techniques, but to demonstrate that Biblical-based Christianity is not a cult and does not support the use of cultic practices.... http://www.rationalchristianity.net/xian_cult.html .....
In all honesty, Christianity sounds like a cult to me. There's nothing wrong with that. It just depends on what kind of value you place on the meaning. Even Biblical Christianity exhibited the first 2 characteristics. Paul was a big evangelical person especially to the lands of the heathen. So was Barrabas closer to home. The world was perceived as being lost and needed to be saved. However, one's true salvation came only with acknowledging Jesus Christ, the son of God, as Lord and Savior. Only group members would be saved -those who professed with their heart that Jesus Christ was their Lord and Savior could entered into heaven. As time progressed, if it contradicted the Bible it was inherently wrong and of the devil. Non-believers were condemned and accused of wickedness; in addition, they were deemed fair game for enslavement, which was considered ultimately benevolent and excused because it introduced heathens and pagans to the grace and love of God through his son Jesus Christ. Lands were conquered, villages and cities destroyed and inhabitants enslaved, colonized and proselytized in the name of God to spread the good word of the salvation by the blood of the Lamb. This is cultic behavior at its worst expression during the 1600s.
1Tim.4 [1] Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; 2Pet.2 [1] But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. 1John.4 [1] Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.