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is it considered a cult, when someone is brainwashed to believe certain things. For example i use to go to church with my friend but i stopped going recently because they are being told to go out and pour into other people's lives about Jesus even if they don't know them, and that twilight and harry potter is bad because they talk about witches and vampires. My best friend believes all this and now she starts telling me i shouldn't watch this movie because they say bad things and harry potter is dumb, and one time she saw a ganesh figurine in my car and said it's bad just because it wasn't her god. i've posted a question like this before and i know it's getting old but im worried, even though there isn't much i can do. i mean all they talk about is jesus and even at birthday parties they do prayers and it's weird. not only that but they have a youth pastor and they even hang out with him, his wife, and kids. they're really young. they both went to a bible college called CFNI and a lot of my friends are going there now, and i am not sure if it's because of their influence, since a lot of them weren't raised in christian homes. so is this church a cult? i feel like it is because the pastors are making them believe all these things. so i am not sure. (link)
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Yes and no.
Christianity is not a cult in this sense because what you believe a cult is probably is something about extremist, sacrifices, and insane behavior.
In the sense of yes, it is, then you must realized that all religions would fall under the "cult" definition:
Webster's Dictionary says:
Definition of CULT
1: formal religious veneration : worship
2: a system of religious beliefs and ritual; also : its body of adherents
3: a religion regarded as unorthodox or spurious; also : its body of adherents
4: a system for the cure of disease based on dogma set forth by its promulgator
5a : great devotion to a person, idea, object, movement, or work (as a film or book); especially : such devotion regarded as a literary or intellectual fad
b : the object of such devotion
c : a usually small group of people characterized by such devotion
This site also may help when trying to decide if Christianity is a cult:
http://www.rationalchristianity.net/xian_cult.html
What she is doing is not extremist behavior at all.
If she was, say, threatening to kill non-believers then that would be extreme.
If she was, say, burning an entire library down because it contained some books about atheism then that would be extreme.
If she was, say, refusing to speak a word to ANYONE that didn't follow her religion then that would be extreme.
She has a belief system now. That's is perfectly fine. It is acceptable to "give your life" to Christ.
Your friend is, likely, not being brainwashed either. Just because YOU don't believe the same things she does not doesn't mean she's being forced or manipulated into the new beliefs.
She believes that God is good. She believes that Jesus saves. She believes that Heaven is a place you want to go.
She believes if you sin then you don't get to Heaven. Of course she wants to be on her best behavior.
It's like saying: Her parents make her go to bed at 8 every night! They're brainwashing her to believe she should do that sort of thing but last year she didn't go to be until 9! When she stays over my house she even wants to go to sleep by 8 at night.
You're overreacting to this entirely too much.
Relax.
Stop being her friend. Seriously. You can't handle it. This is too much for you to comprehend.
Prayer at birthday parties is absolutely normal. Hell, Jews have religious celebrations instead of birthday parties! Think about it. A prayer at a party is no big deal, especially compared to an entire RELIGIOUS celebration instead of a birthday celebration. Nobody goes, "Wow! Jews are extreme! It's a cult because they actually believe in their religion!"
Back away from this girl immediately. You're driving yourself insane over-thinking this. It is what it is and there REALLY is nothing wrong with this. It's like getting pissed off because your best friend suddenly says, "Hey, I was thinking about it today and my favorite color really is orange," when you think it should be red. Seriously.
She is in no danger in this situation. What you describe is perfectly normal and healthy for a Christian person.
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Unless the one answering the question is being abusive, do not rate them a 1. rating hanged by L2 moderator.
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lol i am not over reacting. she behaves strangely along with the other kids. but anyways this is a place to give advice not criticize and tell people they're wrong and that they are over reacting. it's not healthy when someone goes around telling other people that what they believe in is wrong and they should have the same beliefs as the person.
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