Alternative Spirituality

» Jolinda - "Alternative" religion/spirituality?

In response to "Alternative" religion/spirituality? posted by OilsDragon:

Yes - scholars of religion have for years struggled to create a working definition of "cult". This is a term that pop-culture and the media absolutely adore, but fails miserably in actually telling us something useful about a given social or religious group.

-- posted by Jolinda

» RichardSpeaks - "Alternative" religion/spirituality?

I once asked a street missionary her definition of a cult. She said, profoundly, "a cult is any group that doesn't believe the way we do."

I have been browsing through some of the sites generated from this topic and it's amazing the groups that consider everyone else a cult. I just sent for some info from a group that calls all other Christian groups, including the Roman Catholics, Eastern Orthodox, Southern Baptist, Jehovah's Witnesses, Mormons, and Pentecostals cults.

Go figure. . .

-- posted by RichardSpeaks

» Jolinda - "Alternative" religion/spirituality?

In response to "Alternative" religion/spirituality? posted by RichardSpeaks:

I'd have to give her credit for at least being honest! I'm sure she's not alone in her sentiment. While using the word "cult" says little about the "accused" group, it says much about the "accuser".

Out of curiosity, may I ask which group it is that you requested info from?

-- posted by Jolinda

» hawknut - "Alternative" religion/spirituality?

In response to "Alternative" religion/spirituality? posted by RichardSpeaks:

Hey Richard! Glad to see you're still here.

The dictionary defines cult as "a system of religious worship or ritual"; "devoted attachment to, or extravagant admiration for, a person, principle, etc." According to this definition, any believer in any god is a member of a cult.

-- posted by hawknut

» RichardSpeaks - "Alternative" religion/spirituality?

Hello, Hawknut. You're still here, too, eh???

Any group that follows a set of principles, or a person is a member of a cult. You don't have to believe in any god. Ask any Unitarian.

Here's something to consider: of all the cults, religiously speaking, the only one that will be left standing when the rest of Christianity goes by the wayside, and it will, will be the Roman Catholic Church. Reason? Ritual, ceremony, pomp and circumstance--probably more than any other religion on the planet, including some of the Eastern groups that have lots of festivals.

The RC Church has an extreme hierarchy, with levels descending all the way down to the laity. Nearly 2000 years of bending and stretching and relabeling and reconstructing have given the church a real staying power. The Church has a hold on its members like no other. People don't have to think about it; they just follow the doctrines and go to heaven. Simple.

Even those who we now call the Reformers weren't out to bring down the Church, but simply to clean it up and return it to its pristine splendor. Have they succeeded? Hardly. Protestantism in all its guises are merely attempts to reform the RC Church. They won't admit it, but it's true. Challenges?

There is only one true cult: the Roman Catholic Church. All others are bit players and pretenders to the throne. And I'm not even RC.

-- posted by RichardSpeaks

» RichardSpeaks - "Alternative" religion/spirituality?

You're right. Cult accusations speak more of the accuser than the accused.

Interestingly, the group I mentioned is one I happened upon while browsing the Web. I didn't keep the URL. I wrote down the email address and sent a note. Got a reply. They told me that their statement of faith was that of Campus Crusade for Christ. Are you familiar with them? I'm sure they have a web site.

One thing of note: they said they base their whole belief system on the "true reading of the Bible." Everyone else has misinterpreted it. But, they got it right. Sound familiar?

Also, turns out, they have a church less than a mile from my house here in Portland. I may go check them out one day.

-- posted by RichardSpeaks

» Jolinda - "Alternative" religion/spirituality?

In response to "Alternative" religion/spirituality? posted by RichardSpeaks:

I think you may ne right about the survival of the Catholic Church - at least in name and form. The highly ritualized and standardized nature of the Catholic Church has made it very unified accross the globe. The problem arises however, not in form and ritual, but in practice and belief. We're seeing more and more stories in the media about the disparity between the teachings of the Pope and the beliefs of the average American Catholic (ie. birth control, etc.).

I suppose only time will tell....

So does this mean I wasn't the only one glued to CNN during the conclave to select a new Pope last year?

-- posted by Jolinda

» Jolinda - "Alternative" religion/spirituality?

In response to "Alternative" religion/spirituality? posted by RichardSpeaks:

Ahh...fun with hermeneutics. Not to mention translation, history and on and on.

Sounds like an interesting outing at least! Keep us updated and let us know how it goes once you get back!

-- posted by Jolinda

» RichardSpeaks - "Alternative" religion/spirituality?

In response to "Alternative" religion/spirituality? posted by Jolinda:

It may be awhile before I get to their service as I am a minister myself and Sundays are a busy day for me.

About the RC church: yes, there is a bit of disparity between the clergy and the laity at the moment; however, that has occurred many times over the church's history. Hence, the Reformation. The church will stand the test as it always has, I am certain. I suppose you've heard about the calamity with nuns? Not so many left, less than 70,000 compared to 180,000 20 years ago, and most of the current ones are past 50, many past 70. Only about 7000 under 50. I'd be willing to bet the Papacy doesn't care too much what becomes of the Sisterhood.

By the way, have you read 50 Simple Things You Can Do To Fight The Right? If you're at all progressive, you may find it useful.

-- posted by RichardSpeaks

» hawknut - "Alternative" religion/spirituality?

In response to "Alternative" religion/spirituality? posted by RichardSpeaks:

have you read 50 Simple Things You Can Do To Fight The Right?

Can we read it online somewhere?

-- posted by hawknut