Another Big Big Thread of Religious Discussion

[Sithdarth]

I find this pretty debatable, as the bible would have it he definitely made a lot of pretty stringent demands of those who would follow him.

Here you have to draw a distinction. A charismatic guy preaching about love of everyone, salvation, and a personal relationship with god sans any sort of clergy can be very convincing. I mean sure a few people might have gotten obsessive all on their own but proper adherence didn't necessitate obsessive behavior.

Also, its a non-sequitur to assume a rigid system of self denial equates to obsessive behavior. I mean look at the various forms of Buddhism, Shinto, and specifically the Zen off shoots. Ok so a few people take them to far but again that's present everywhere. For the vast majority its all about the middle path; that fine line of absolute perfect balance. Something you can't reach while being obsessive in anyway.

Sithdarth apparently sees another picture, where this group also has to be dangerous and destructive somehow.

In a round about way. I see a cult as always having an obsessive component that is integral to its function. Without this its nothing more than a novel new religion; though those can spawn individuals that are obsessive and sects that operate via obsessiveness. (Sects which then can be considered cults.)

The logical inference goes like this:

Cults require an obsessive component as an integral aspect of its function
Obsessiveness is unbalanced, excessive, unreasonable, and always destructive (to varying degrees)
Therefore, Cults must always contain a destructive/damaging/unhealthy element. (Though some have more than just that stemming from the obsessive component.)