.ll 72
.fo off
.co on 
.ce ((Editor's comments in double parenthesis - Homer))
 
.ce ADR - 80
.ce
 
.ce Copyright (C) Homer Wilson Smith
.ce Redistribution rights granted for non commercial purposes
 
======================================================================== 32
Date:         Sun, 12 Mar 89 23:18:42 EST
From:         "Homer W. Smith" 
Subject:      Re: "cults"
To:           Adore-l list 
In-Reply-To:  Message of Sun, 12 Mar 89 14:40:00 EDT from 

>
>        I am not sure that these definitions get us anywhere.  Somebody
>just asked for a definition of the word "cult" and so I supplied it.
>
     I think we are doing just fine.  We have established that
one good use of the word cult is any system of devotion directed
at a personal or divine being rather than a practice alone to
attain salvation.

     I bring this up because at Cornell there is something called
Cult Awareness wherein the local yokel Head Honcho Christian
rails against all the horrible 'cults' that are brain washing
people away from the true religion of Christianity.

     These cults of course are the Scientologists, Moonies,
the Navigators (a Jesus cult), Children of God and a whole
slew of groups that have charismatic and possibly intelligent
leaders at their helm.

     What gets me is that through all their use of the word cult
they never define it.  And with the present definition it turns
out they are just another cult too, the cult of Jesus Christ Superstar.

     So the hypocrisy gets pretty thick.

 Homer W. Smith      Adore-l list         3/12/89*"cults"