Most Risky Halloween Costume of the Season

[Perd Hapley]

I see why that looks like a contradiction.  I think there's a difference between mocking people who join a cult out of their own credulity and mocking someone who's beliefs are a part of their culture and up-bringing.  Earlier, I mentioned a far-left-wing acquaintance that I refrain from ridiculing.  This isn't because her beliefs are worthy of respect, or because she is an intelligent person.  Neither of those are true.  Instead, it is because I recognize that she has been misled by poverty, personal problems and bad influences in her life.  

More about her here:
http://www.armedpolitesociety.com/index.php?topic=2855.0

[Lee]

I'm a firm believer in the Creator, who creates and spins millions of galaxys with a single breath...but I fail to understand his/her/it's believers or doubters. 

[zahc]

I went to a halloween frat part, just as I am. I told anyone that asked that I was an infidel.

[doczinn]

I think there's a difference between mocking people who join a cult out of their own credulity and mocking someone who's beliefs are a part of their culture and up-bringing.

OK, I'll grant that, but it's a small distinction; some convert to mainstream religions and some are born and raised in cults.

And what's the real difference between a cult and mainstream religion anyway? Number of believers? If we define a legitimate belief by how many people believe it, we'd all be socialist Buddhists.

[Perd Hapley]

There a different definitions of the term, and Wikipedia has a long disambiguation on the term, which I'll link below.

Sometimes it refers to a tightly-controlled group centered on a particular charismatic leader.  I.e, Jim Jones, David Koresh, etc. 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cult

[doczinn]

a cohesive group of people (often a relatively small and recently founded religious movement) devoted to beliefs or practices that the surrounding culture or society considers to be far outside the mainstream.

My point is that any definition is subjective. Assuming a cult continues to grow, when does it stop becoming a cult. Are Sikhs in the US a cult? Why not?

[Trisha]

My vote goes for Diogenes holding his lantern, searching.

Those that would recognize the menace in being examined for honesty would probably have cause to fear, if not hate. . .

[Modifiedbrowning]

Sometimes it refers to a tightly-controlled group centered on a particular charismatic leader.

Isn't that how Christianity started?

[bdutton]

I seem to recall that a very funny movie called 'Life of Brian' was a very satirical look at Jesus.  Now there were quite a few people who stomped around with signs protesting the movie but NO ONE DIED because someone made fun of a Christian religious figure.

If the Muslims cannot understand humor then they need to EVOLVE a bit.

[Perd Hapley]

modifiedbrowning,

They were not tightly-controlled in the way that a modern cult is.  If anything, the tight control was the persecution they endured for remaining in the "cult."  I.e., Christianity was often considered illegal until Constantine.