Cult Versus Religion

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How can you know the differences between a true religion and a cult?
The following are excerpts of a paper by noted Bahá'í Stephen Vacarro which highlight the differences between the Bahá'í Faith and a destructive religious cult. We present this information because there are some people who will claim that the Bahá'í Faith is a cult. We invite you to read the following and to do your own thinking on this matter -- your own independant investigation -- and decide for yourself.

 

1. The Leader
Cults center around a living, self-appointed leader who designates a revered inner circle. The cult leader often commits serious ethical violations. Some leaders even encourage the stockpiling of weapons and promote violence as a problem-solving option.

 The Bahá'í Faith, by contrast, has no single living leader, nor formal clergy members. It is governed by administrative councils which Bahá'ís themselves elect. No individual on the councils has decision-making authority; the council itself is the decision-making body. While there are appointed advisory positions, people who serve in those roles have no decision-making authority.

 

2. Use of Controlling Techniques
Cults use fear or guilt-based "mind-control" techniques including various forms of physical deprivation and guilt-based, ritualistic confession of sins.

 The Bahá'í writings expressly forbid seeking absolution of one's sins from another human being. Rather, Bahá'ís seek forgiveness from God through prayer. Also, the primary duty of all humanity, according to the Bahá'í writings, is the independent investigation of truth. Therefore, individual reasoning and problem-solving are encouraged.

 

3. Social and Physical Isolation
Cult members normally live in some form of isolation from the greater society and have very little meaningful interaction with non-cult members. Some cults require physical isolation as well.

 The physical isolation and secluded living common to many destructive groups is forbidden in the Bahá'í Faith. The Bahá'í teachings stress the importance of work and balancing this work with service to their religion. Additionally, monasticism is forbidden.

 

4. Extreme or Fanatical Behavior
Cult members often abandon their families, jobs, schools, and lives to protect the cult leader and the cult community. Cult practices often include dangerous rituals such as excessive praying, sleep deprivation, or aggressive, high pressure proselytizing techniques such as constantly and compulsively "witnessing" their beliefs to others.

 Bahá'í teachings stress the importance of moderation in all things, including teaching the Faith. In contrast to a cult, the rituals of the Bahá'í Faith are few. Bahá'ís must say one of three "obligatory" prayers daily, and once a year observe a 19-day fast by not eating during daylight hours.

 

5. Secrecy and Deception
In cults, followers are many times unaware of certain cult activities. Cult leaders often issue a "code of silence" about their unethical conduct. Miracles, or phony faith-healings are often staged at group meetings.

 The concept of a "code of silence" is non-existent in the Bahá'í Faith. The Bahá'í principles are derived from Bahá'í Writings, all of which were either written by the author himself or transcribed by a secretary and signed by the author. They are stored at the Bahá'í World Center in Haifa, Israel, where examples are on public display. Bahá'ís are not encouraged to appeal to miracles as proof of their religion because miracles are only visible to those who witness them.

 

A Final Note on Cults:
Generally, after the charismatic leader of a cult dies, unless another leader arises, the cult disappears or soon fades away.

 When Baha'u'llah passed away in 1892 there were approximately 50,000 Bahá'í. Since 1957 when Shoghi Effendi, the last living single leader of the Bahá'í Faith passed away, the Bahá'í Faith has grown to over 5 million Bahá'í worldwide.

The Bahá'í Faith is the second most wide-spread religion throughout the world.