Are "Born-Again Christians" a Cult?

booker-t

I know alot of people might be offended by this question but I think it is a good question to ask. Born-Agains are always pointing the cult finger at JW's, Mormons, Moonies, 7-day Adventists, Oneness Pentacostals, Armstrong, etc; but could they themselves be a cult? As the old saying goes "It takes one to know one"

JeffT

"Born Again" is a very generic term. There is no central authority that controls what all people who claim to be born again can say, do, think, or who they associate with. Within that broad category are many groups that are cultic, but that would be specific to that group.

ferret

could atheism be a cult

LittleToe

Do you mean Fundamentalist Christians? If so, then maybe, but it can vary from congregation to congregation. Each is slightly unique.

As I keep beating on about, being "born again" is simply being a Christian a la John 3. Not that many denominations harp on about it, but those that do tend to be at the more extreme end of the speculum.

dozy

While there is no central authority , there usually is a "pastor" who directs & teaches his flock , so the central authority is usually devolved to a parish level. When some disagree with this "leader" , they usually split and form their own group , as evidenced by the numerous "Christian fellowships" , "Assemblies of God" , Pentecostal , Evangelical and similar groups , many of whom refuse to speak or have dealings with each other.

A few years ago , I was involved in brokering a complicated property dispute when a group of "born agains" fractured into three groups under different "leaders" and fought over property rights. We were unable to appeal to the authority of any central pastoral legislative body as none existed that all three groups recognised. None would liase or discuss the matters directly, so the company I worked for organised proximity meetings and eventually we got a measure of agreement.

The best (though perhaps harsh) description I have heard , as used by an old friend of mine , is to describe "born again" style groups as "disorganised cults" (careful how you say that! ).

TresHappy

I don't think that all BAC's are a cult - As I have learned, you can have cult thinking in any group...

I worked with a woman who thought Amway was it...Definitely a cult!

Narkissos

"disorganised cults"

LOL.

Cultic trends imo can be found at two levels among Evangelicals (a slightly less ambiguous label than "born-agains" I hope).

(1) In ultra-congregationalist, often "non-denominational," "local churches" in which the pastor and/or a body of elders rule without any hierarchical or peer control (as usually works in the older episcopal or synodal systems).

(2) As a broader network, offering a sort of transdenominational identity with its linguistic and cultural codes beyond specific church membership (as a bond between "Evangelical churches" and overlapping on others) -- especially common stereotyped talk about conversion (where "becoming a Christian", "being born again", etc., are used regardless of previous religious background, just as the JW "coming to / being in the truth"). More trivially symbols like the fish bumper stickers come to mind. Theologically central to this transdenominational identity is the notion of Bible inerrancy.

(This aspect of an Evangelical "super-denomination" struck me shortly after I left JWs when I was invited to a huge Billy Graham gathering in Paris. The "cultic" side I felt about it was that most people there seemed to consider themselves as "the true Christians," over inner denominational difference but against "nominal Christians" who didn't share into it, whether Catholics or Protestants. But perhaps this is less obvious in the US or UK where Evangelicals as a whole are either a majority or a large minority.)

DannyHaszard

(Taken from Danny's main page:)

I am treated as evil by people who claim that they are being oppressed because
they are not allowed to force me to practice what they do.—D. Dale Gulledge

The Story of Danny Haszard

"Make it Maine" Danny, now a born-again Christian!

Below: Danny a virgin at 29: I squandered my youth for a cult!

Let me tell you what's scary is i keep this (Born Again) caption up because born again Christianity to a Jehovah's Witness is like holy water to a vampire.

barry

All christians are born again but there is some who call themselves born again who beleive they are born again when they receive the holy spirit and speak in toungs . They use what is reffered to as a gift in scripture to be a requirement for salvation. This is where they err and this is the group that is cultic because of its departure from the fundamentals of the christian religion reguarding salvation and also there exclusivity.

Star Moore

I think the 'born agains' that follow Bush and love the war, and follow Pat Robertson,Falwell, etc. are a CULT...

Are "Born-Again Christians" a Cult?

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