Why is Christianity not considered a cult?

Christianity is a religion that is rooted in ancient theological precepts. Christianity at its root advocates the belief in an unseen God, the supreme creator of the universe, his son, the sacrificial redeemer of mankind, and the Holy Spirit, the divine “translator” of God’s will to man. In Christianity, this trinity, or “Godhead” is the final authority on all matters relating to right and wrong as well as on all inquiries into the divine.

Christianity encourages study, discussion, contemplation, and enlightenment (Matthew 7:7–8). Asking questions and vetting the precepts that govern Christianity is a part of being a good Christian. Each person is expected to decide for themselves whether or not they believe these precepts and whether or not they want to be Christians. Christianity is not intrusive. Its precepts and governing theological ideas are outlined clearly in the Holy Bible for all the world to see. The teachers of Christianity’s precepts are expected to interpret them from the Bible, which is accepted as the final written authority regarding these precepts. The book of Revelation chapter 22:18–19 gives strict instructions regarding how the Bible should be interpreted in relation to its divine authenticity.

In contrast, “cults,” in many respects, keep their members uninformed on certain matters. Sometimes the members are asked to “just believe” or “obey” without being given meaningful reasons why or to what end. Furthermore, cults give the words and actions of a living “leader” the same theological value as any god or other deity (Matthew 24:24). Cults also tend to shun those that question its teachings. Some cults become derogatory or even violent with members that choose to think or reason independently. Cults are totalitarian in structure. It isn’t considered seemly in cult organizations for its members to question authority, which often times leads to abuse of the members. Some cults even attach harmful labels to people that leave it and they even criminally harass the exiter and their families for this same reason. Cults are, at their root, about control rather than enlightenment; this fact alone makes them the antithesis of Christianity.