Question

Imagine your brother or sister tells you he or she is leaving home to join a religious group that requires the giving up of all possessions and money to the head of the group. They also require the wearing of white robes and separation from contemporary society. What would you do in this situation? Would you try to "rescue" your sibling? Or should they be free to give up everything if that's what they want? In this discussion, comment on what you think are the differences between a religion and a cult, and why that matters

Answer 1

If any of my siblings plan to do something like this, I would try to convince him/her that this is not required. I will make them understand the real menaing of relgion and that leaving everything just for the sake of religion is not a correct practice. One should follow religion and religious moral values but not blindly. There is no evidence that cutting off from the real world will make you more close to the God or will make you more peaceful and sound person. One can perform all the religious duties even if one is involved in contemporary society. I will also make him/her understand the basic difference between a cult and a religion. Cults not only break laws, but also offend religions and give anti-theists without the discernment to tell the difference ammunition to continue stereotyping actual people of faith while religion is an altogether different practice.