[PatrickHenry]

One of the debates that continually roils the field of NRM scholarship is whether adistinction can really be made between cults and new religions -- after all, many of today's established religious movements began on the fringes of society. Does this mean that the Hare Krishnas or the Wiccans could be the next big religion?

Best distinction I ever read was this -- a cult is a religion, but one without strong, protective political connections.

[f.Christian]

Best distinction I ever read was this -- a cult is a religion, but one without strong, protective political connections.

11 posted on 2/13/02 7:09 PM Pacific by PatrickHenry

Talk about protection---orthodoxy---papal infallibility...USSC requires--ESTABLISHES forced evolution...

and restricts--prohibits all else---God--Truth--creation...amazing!

Patrick-nazi-Henry...evolution champion---apostle/archangel!

I think busing---affirmative actions..."operations" woke up a lot of people to the dangers of govt tyranny and so will this evolution-religion phenomena too!

[js1138]

a cult is a religion, but one without strong, protective political connections.

or alternatively, a religion is a cult that has been housbroken.