Where is the line between cult and church?

Sounds unbelievabl that a person could get so immersed in to this religion so fast that it is causing so much trouble already. Maybe there is reall ysomething more to it. Like a cheating spouse. Your question really was vague so I can't help alot

Question 1, as a Christian I can firmly say, IMO there is no difference. It's the very reason why have chosen to never join a Church and only attend once in a while with a friend or family member as a favor. Question 2, Nothing, your friend has to run this course until the end if ever. What bad things comes from it, is by their own choices.

I agree with some of the comments already made. Basically a cult will use mind control and emotional control to keep you involved with them. They may even tell you that you can't have friends outside their group. Often they try to convince you that their way is the only way to believe and that you must make other people believe the same way in order to save them. They also try to put guilt trips on you and tell you that you must not really be a Christian if you don't do certain things for or with them. I've been approached by people who were most likely in a cult. They would try to say that I'm not really a Christian because of various reasons. They seem to target people who they think are lonely and easily influenced. Funny thing is that, to me, they sound like Satan ("the accuser"). He's always trying to point out everyone's faults in their religious or spiritual life.

I had a couple friend who was like this. The guy was best friends with my husband in Elementary School & Junior High. They didn't hang out for a few years and then about a year ago we started hanging out with him and his wife. They (mostly the husband) changed ALOT since my husband knew him. He got very strange, very sexist and controlling over his wife. We went on a double date trip to Las Vegas and there was an incident where I joined in a fight backing up his wife. He said some things that upset me and he got VERY angry and after that I can tell he thinks that we are too "evil" to hang out with anymore. They went into Job Corp. and take it VERY seriously and also take church VERY seriously. We asked them to come to our wedding and to be my husbands BEST MAN since they were childhood friends and he said MAYBE if I am not studying! "We have to prepare ourselves pysciologically, mentally, and spiritualy for this big test we have" I asked when was the test and he said in December. I said great my wedding is next June! He was like oh.. we'll see maybe. He didn't even care! Let me tell you - people like this you can not reach out to. They are already lost. You just have to mourn the loss of that friend and hope something in their life will come around and they will change back into the wonderful and happy friend you used to know.. If you push them on it too much now then they will resent you and will NEVER listen to you.

that is a very good quetsion. I do not know because it is a very fine line to decide what is a church and what is a cult. I think they are all one in the same because if you think about it a church is a cult like atmosohere. Its just that one is more loose leaf than the other. but in my opinions they are all one in the same. They both give u somthing to believe in and you get a leader in both that leads and guides you for spiritual enlightenment.

There is no difference between a church and a cult. "Cult" is just a derogatory word, which in this case would be used to mean "church I don't like". It's okay to address things that concern you or ways in which you're unhappy with a friend of yours. For instance, if you miss them, say that. That's a lot different than saying, "You're spending too much time with your church." One has the potential to bring you closer together and one is sure to drive you away.

If you look at it objectively, any spiritual group with a strong leader could be labeled a cult. I hate it when people accuse others of being in a cult but their belief is the true religion. Cult is meant to set u free, the other set out to bind u with the very thing that was meant to set u free

This is a deep discussion. First off, the church is the trinity only. Father, son, and Holy spirit. Son, meaning Jesus. No other sons. No statues. Second, if this did happen to someone you knew, they are brainwashed. You can only pray to God for them.

Technically every religion started as a cult...but that is beside the point... A cult is defined as an orginization that requires your total assets. Such assest include finances and properties. They also require you to discontinue contact with not only friends but family, claiming the 'church' is now your parents, siblings and friend. If this religious group is not requiring her to do any of the above they are considered a religion rather than a cult. As for crossing the line, I can not say, perhaps straying very closely to it? Reaching out in this case is done the same way it is for any extreme, call, drop by, write cards...make contact period and keep making it. Remind her that she has another life that doesn't preclude this religion conversion she is experiencing but needs to be included with it. Ultimately it is up to her to make the choice, to allow herself to associate with those she once did or to exclude them. As with people who are addicted to substances, one can be 'addicted' to religion. The rest of us have to accept three things. You can't cause it. You can't cure it. You can't control it. But you can encourage them to hear and feel and perhaps one day return, maybe changed, but home.

Sounds like a cult to me. When someone gets into an abusive relationship the first thing that happens is a separation from family and friends to gain control. That sounds like what is happening here. There used to be a movement called the "sheparding movement" and it was denounced by the majority of Christians. In that movement, the pastor felt he was in charge of his flock in every way. They would checkup on their followers, drive by their homes, etc. It crossed the line because they were controlling the people, not leading them. The Bible says to watch out for wolves in sheeps clothing. There isn't much you can do for your friend unless they want help. Is there someone that your friend really respects that may be able to reach them with truth?

A group that encourages people to focus their whole life around the church and other members of the church is more likely to be a cult. If they aren't allowed to question the leaders and are discouraged from having outside interests, even more so.

Even a valid religion can be both a church and a cult at the same time. The doctrines can be sound, logical and mainstream. It would be the behavior of the members that turn it into a cult. Do the leaders try and press additional teachings and rules that are not part of the core doctrine? Are there controls put on the members that allow less and less individuality? Those are cult behaviors. A person merely being very into their church and leaning on them more and more for social support is not a cult-like behavior. It is just a social life change. If it is the friend's own choice to look to their church more and more for their social needs, that is still them exercising their own individuality.

I think if the "church" makes the person become isolated from non believers that would make them a cult. If a person whoses to stop beiing around people for whatever reason doesn't make the church a cult.

I cannot believe they have KEYS to his house without consent of both adults! Thats disgraceful! And a HUGE invasion of privacy! I would love to know how that would affect someones home and contents insurance for starters! Have you considered hypothetically inviting friend and 'cult members' over for a BBQ or party or something? Maybe by not actively excluding the odd-balls over in cult group number 1, there will be less feeling of being threatened and less frustration by the hypothetical friend?

well there is a huge line between those two in church they got to learn that the lives they lived before was not the right type of life to live so they had to do away with their old friends and make new ones to live the life of a christian...

well, i think the line is pretty close, but from what you say, i can't be sure. you would probably need to find out more information about their 'church' it might be something small...i mean...there are over 100 branches off from the christan faith...so its hard to keep track on all the smaller ones. but if the isolation from friends and others was his choice or the churches is what you need to figure out. i wold try to do my own reaserch into it. maybe even aproach them to ask them whats going on.

If the church is exerting control over their finances, and keeping them away from family and friends, it is a cult. If they are an adult, I would try to talk to them and see if I could get them to spend some one-on-one time with me as a friend. If they are a kid, I would probably talk to the parents or family.

That is one of the signs, cutting them off from family and friends. My question is do they see their family. I would talk to close family members like mom, day,sibling and see if they talk them or if they feel something is wrong.

1. Yes, it sounds like it would have crossed that line. 2. I wont make attempt to reach out to such a person after that, I would better ignore such a person.

I would be just as concerned about your friend. A religion should be open to everyone in the idea of an open exchange of ideas. Religion should not block you from all that you know. The only reason for that is that there is a worry that outside influences will tarnish the things being taught. If that the case, then what is being taught is so doubtful that outside influences could affect them so easily. Losing a way to say this correctly, but I hope you get what i mean. Here's another way to look at it: If a spouse is keeping another spouse at home, never allowing that spouse to leave pther than work, then does not allow that spouse to have any friends outside of their relationship, wouldn't you worry? A religious group can be just as close as a spouse, and may even know more about a person than a spouse, so why not think of it in the same way. Sorry if I rambled, but this one got me riled up. I hate to see people being manipluated in the name of religion.