I have nothing against religion, but could it be that religious Judaism is a cult? I bumped into an old classmate who has become totally religious. After speaking to her, I felt that she is brainwashed
22 Comments Posted
As a recent Jewish "cult member" I would just like to ask of all others in my situation, to please realize the importance of implementing the initial inspiration into your daily life in order to ground yourself, and your beliefs as a G-d fearing Jew.
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I enjoyed reading this article. The definition of cult and religion re extraordinary. Now I know how to answer to people that profess that certain aspects of orthodoxy are similar to a cult.
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I have a friend like this for christanity. So I think all religons can be taken too far. But who knows maybe he will grow up to be a priest so I try to remind myself to not judge.
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Thank you for this article. I was just reading through a Jewish cult site (didn't know it was that until I did some reading) which sounded a lot like Fundamentalist Islam. I was nauseated and came over here to browse. How refreshing! I want to add [to your statements] that the best thing is often to pray for these people, so that G-d may show them the truth and not be misled.
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"Sometimes you have to lose yourself a little bit to find yourself again."
Wow. Thank you so much for that. I'm seventeen and a BT and I've been wondering about that for a while, cult vs. religion. This article was really reassuring that I'm not - by being a BT - just being another conforming Jew who does what she's told. I kinda feel better now. ;-)
And as for the quote taht I just put at the beignning...I've gone through a lot this past year (since becoming a BT but that wasn't all of it, there were other issues as well), and I definitely lost a lot of myself, to Judaism even. But now that I"m nearing the end of my junior year and wish I could play it back again and get better grades (I was depressed most of the year), I feel like I'm finding myself again, bit by bit by bit. Judaism - and Jewish friends - help. So thank you for helping me get this little piece of myself back.
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Judaism is not a "CULT." Of course some may think it is but by understanding more deeply about it may found very interesting and very accomodating. That's why for now I'm very interesting on being a jew, because i understand it and understand what G-D had thought israel to teach all the people on earth. At first my life is measerable and dark and i come to think that i may seek for guiedance so that i may live freely even with problems as a trial, praise G-D for this wonderfull gift he gave me and he is giving to us all his people.
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I am not a Jew, but my roots are Jewish.
You can not be a Christian and deny your Jewish foundation (roots). My son is a rabbi and he is teaching my wife and I about who we realy are. From what we have learned as take us to a new in our beliefs. I will be studying with your web site, you are wonderful PEOPLE May G-D bless you.
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This article, and the definitions offered, are so keen! As one who has come out of such an experience, I would say your words are right on point and most accurate.
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Cults r usually reflecting the view of one, or only a few opinions, they require adhereance to certain ideas regardless of individuality. Religion is social mechanism that allows for a range of opinion that anchor individual thought into a practical system of habitual productivity.
I disagree that people "given time will realize and come back to reality" - if you suspect its a cult research the organization. A cult will not allow any probing into their "training/education methods" beyond surface inquiry... a religion will also not require you to stay in the "fold" be it a school, camp, or group situation of any kind... freedom is key to religion.
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I have been increasing my observance of Torah Judiasm, coming from a completely secular background. All of my relatives are secular. They tell me that "I have gone too far this time" whenever I incorporate a new (to me) observance into my life. If this is the response I am getting from people who love me, how do I know I also haven;t been sucked into a cult, if from their view point, anyone in a black suit, and black hat is cultish. In fact, one of the accusations made from secular jews that I hear if that Lubavitch or other "black" jews are involved in a cult, and are out of touch with the "real" world.
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The Jewish Religion is not a Cult --------
But there is an element within Judaism that is a Cult... It is the KABBALAH...
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Key elements that will help identify a cult are:
• They want to control your money. (You must give!)
• They want to control your life. (For example, some make members wear ‘saccade under wears’.)
• Salvation is only found within their organizations. (They claim that if you leave them you are going to hell.)
It is also important to know that cult means there is something hidden within, which is not ready revealed to newcomers. Only after extensive involvement are the occult secrets known. For some this knowledge comes too late.
I hope this helps.
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i think certain personalities are just more vulnerable--meaning, a tendency to be zealous, and not, in their minds, as a hypocrite. it can be a good thing, but it can also turn bad, if it gets out of balance. and i suppose that, can even be a fine line. it is hard to not completely immerse yourself into something your heart is drawn to, but maybe self control is a most divine attribute?
the whole concept of a cult, in itself, is an atrocity because what draws people into them in the first place is a seeking out for all things good--purpose, connectedness, exploration of self, a right walk with G-d. when a place disguised as refuge is in fact, a place of captivity,surely G-d's nostrils rage.
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When I was first becomiing religious, the Chabad and other Orthodox Rabbis I learned with encouraged me to question and gave me more than approach to help me grow, even telling me to wait on taking on certain customs and "stringencies." At the same the NON Orthodox Rabbi who found discouraged me tfrom moving forward.
HOWEVER , what was this "open minded" person's approach? I don't know because he would NOT really let me question him on his opinion. Istead it was just stuff like "Trust me, I'm a Rabbi, I know about this stuff." When someone in the congregation demanded he explained why he also branded Orthodox Jews as cult followers, he also refused to give an answer.
Kind of interesting huh
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While Judaism may not be a cult, certain religious communities can exhibit characteristics of cult. For example, I live in a small community where there is tremendous peer pressure to dress in certain ways, send one's children to a single school, avoid interaction with outsiders, and take on certain chumrahs.
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Orthodox Judaism requires certain behaviors and prohibits others which results in newly religious people alienating their family and friends. My (reform Jewish)family also accused me of joining a cult. My husband's family is also unhappy because we are no longer able to participate in family events. I am worn out by the ways in which religious observance has distanced me, my husband and children from our extended families. Unless Torah scholars stop persisting in rigid requirements, such as not letting anyone drive to us for Shabbos or Yom Tov, the accusation of Orthodox Judaism as a cult will stick.
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In the original and positive sense?
Yes. Allow me to explain:
The English word 'cult' comes from the French word 'culte' which comes from the Latin word 'cultus', which means 'to care and adore'; and 'cultus' comes from the Latin word 'colere', which means to 'cultivate'.
Now, does Chabad care for their fellow Jews and caringly cultivate them?
Yes.
It that good?
Yes.
Of course, some of you may object to this because 'cult' has Latin roots, not Hebrew.
Where does that leave Carpe Diem?
Anyway, keep up the good work (yasher koach).
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I knew someone like that, who suddenly wanted to observe all the laws. I thought she was faking but then I began to believe that she could have been brainwashed.
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I find this article very helpful.
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There is nothing bad about Kabbalah, It is just going deeper than the avrage person wants to go
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Good article. Thank you.
There is nothing wrong in wanting to observe the laws of Torah closely or more fully. What might seem weird to some because is not done by many is not necessarily part of something wrong or of a cult ... if it is part of Torah and its laws then it is a good thing. After all, Torah is the way G-d wants us to live.
If we are a light to others around us then it is all good.
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Others are so deeply engrossed that they have become insensitive to other people who are not like them, and they are very hasty to judge others who worship in Judaism differently. So, I agree that Orthodoxy of any religion can be either fulfilling to the person or it can be a cult, depending how the person is reacting to it. There will always be a divide in Judaism of people who want to live STRICTLY by the "old ways" and old habits/traditions of Torah and those who want to see the Torah as opening up our minds to debate and thought. G-d says, "See, I have set before thee this day life and good, death and evil; therefore, CHOOSE life that you may live". All the stories in the Torah show good and bad; life and death. I happen to see the stories NOT as being literal, but as being allegories and fables from which we can learn and glean lessons to a healthy and happy lifestyle.
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