by Sarah Arnette

Created on: May 12, 2010

Today's major religions are playing a dangerous game of balance between the being a cult and being a church. This balancing act is only  made more difficult when by the change in political and economical situations. Many people who have once viewed the church as a place of worship and peace are finding it to be more of a place of political propaganda and violence. There has been a steady shift from the role of the church to help to the role of a church as a cult center. 

A church is a facility in which positive instruction is imparted from a religious leader to the community. These positive instructions often are in regards to how to live a proper life and how to love the others who share this world. The Christian churches, Muslims and Jewish religious centers all taught the same thing at some point. However, the religious, political and economical times have shifted. The result has been less than favorable for these and other religions.

A cult is a pseudo-religious institution that works under the guise of a religious order to propagate its own political and economical ideas. The cults around the world are known for being destructive and dangerous to those belonging to it and those surrounding it. If the cult has an enemy, it is quick to exact damage on that enemy. Cults often teach love and peace to those who are in the cult but teach that those who do not belong to the cult are either the enemy or are less informed. These teachings can go as far as saying that those not of the cult are inhuman or unworthy of salvation or compassion. This is a teaching of hate.

The current major religion teachings are beginning to stray into the category of cult teachings. There is no longer the desire for love and peace between all peoples. There is rather, a teaching of hated and misunderstanding between the different "enemies" of the faith. These enemies are seen as those who practice different religions, who practice different life styles, who dress differently or speak a different language. 

It is very concerning to see this shift from the positive religious experience that the churches used to follow into this new cult like state. It is hoped that realization will come to pass and the behaviors will dissipate. However, until then, the battles will rage and more people will be injured or killed in the name of a holy battle for God's love. Hopefully, the Bible will open again and all faiths will see that the act of killing and injury is not desired by anyone's God.

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