A quick defense of Newspring.

All-In [28802]

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or, no

Jan 7, 2013, 11:50 AM

Smallness is only one criteria.

Origins in sociology

Main article: Sociological classifications of religious movements

The concept of "cult" was introduced into sociological classification in 1932 by American sociologist Howard P. Becker as an expansion of German theologian Ernst Troeltsch's church-sect typology. Troeltsch's aim was to distinguish between three main types of religious behavior: churchly, sectarian and mystical. Becker created four categories out of Troeltsch's first two by splitting church into "ecclesia" and "denomination", and sect into "sect" and "cult".[3] Like Troeltsch's "mystical religion", Becker's cults were small religious groups lacking in organization and emphasizing the private nature of personal beliefs.[4]

Later formulations built on these characteristics while placing an additional emphasis on cults as deviant religious groups "deriving their inspiration from outside of the predominant religious culture".[5] This deviation is often thought to lead to a high degree of tension between the group and the more mainstream culture surrounding it, a characteristic shared with religious sects.[6] Sociologists still maintain that unlike sects, which are products of religious schism and therefore maintain a continuity with traditional beliefs and practices, "cults" arise spontaneously around novel beliefs and practices.[7]

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You seem to be confused about the need for a cult to fulfill more than one of the categories mentioned. Yes, cults are typically small, yes, their views are "innovative" and outside the mainstream. But that isn't all.

Just from that wikipedia article, you can see that a cult must meet a number of criteria to be a cult rather than a sect.

Here are a few:

- Becker's cults were small religious groups lacking in organization and emphasizing the private nature of personal beliefs
- Later formulations built on these characteristics while placing an additional emphasis on cults as deviant religious groups "deriving their inspiration from outside of the predominant religious culture".[
- Sociologists still maintain that unlike sects, which are products of religious schism and therefore maintain a continuity with traditional beliefs and practices, "cults" arise spontaneously around novel beliefs and practices

I can go ahead and make the counter argument

To which I quickly reply, "Oh, so you're speaking for

In some peoples mind they believe they are***

#LoveTheSouth***

Who the heck does this guy think he is,

How 'bout if you'e not religious and don't give a crap

they have hot young girls all over the place***

God Bless New Spring.***

Perry Noble bless God for blessing New Spring

Sort of like the Mormon Center in Salt Lake.

Amway has brought thousands into the world of MLM........

I dunno

I used to be a doubter, now I am a double digit doer!***

Come on y'all...COME ON!

this is pretty much what I think about it***

I made the mistake of riding past their campus one Sunday when everyone was leaving

csb***

I appreciate the post. And you are correct, from what I have

The question I guess is "Is any exposure to Christianity

you know, that's an interesting question...I certainly don't

who are you to know what they're looking for?***

Even U2 does not know.***

Funny you should mention Walmart

There's only one book I need on religion, and it's been out

Megatrends....Dianetics ?

I shore hope that's the king james version!

there's only one version of Dianetics !

Is that Newspring's fault, or other churches?***

well since we are talking about New Spring

the Catholics would say they were all Catholics

I thought he was going to start his church with himself, no?***

right, but Peter was his bishop

10-4 just making sure you weren't confusing petras with

When a business owner no longer provides a service

A quick assessment of Newspring: CULT***

lulz***

The only difference between a cult and religion

or, no

Mystical religion?

let me help you...

Is whether you agree with their beliefs.***

no, because not every new sect is a cult

Why does Newspring need defending today?

Saved from what?***

some local caring church

common sense seems to be something you've lost

I had an intern a couple of semesters back...

in Benjamin we trust

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