What is the difference between religions and cults?

Ted Rell: What is the difference between religions and cults?
I assume cults are fake religions, or religions that reject Jesus. What would you consider the difference to be?

Answers and Views:

Answer by Auntie Christ
Religions are cults with political influence — nothing more.

Answer by William
From my reading on the subject, the best definition of a cult I have come across is “The worship of the messenger over the message.” That very nicely describes xianity. Certainly there is nothing left of Christ’s message when the Church has gotten through with it.

Answer by margie r.
A cult is a “religion” that does not put Christ as savior on the cross as our redeemer and only way to heaven. JWs for instance would hate to be thought of as a cult but they feel you work your way to heaven and that Jesus was a important prophet not our savior. And they study the same bible as the rest of us!

Answer by Sherry
Being that a cult means that you are actually adhearing to a man’s standards instead of God’s, i agree that it has to be a fake religion. Many people feel as though Jehovah Witnesses are a cult, but they can not be because of the fact that they look to Christ as being over them and they follow the bibles principles in over 236 lands. At Matthew chapter 23 verses 8 through 10 clearly says; “But you, do not you be called Rabbi, for one is your teacher whereas (ALL YOU ARE BROTHERS).” “Moreover, do not call anyone your father on earth, for one is your father, the heavenly One.” Neither be called leaders, for your Leadr is one, the Christ.”

Answer by Afg
religion is a firm opinion and cult is asystem.

Answer by VeggieTart — Praise Seitan!
Membership. Religions have larger membership than cults.