Islam is rarely critiqued by journalists because it can be dangerous to do so. This has been less true since 11 September 2001 because people are interested in Islam and are searching for answers.
However, it is still risky to write anything that may impugn Islam and especially the founder, Mohammed. This is one reason why I call Islam a cult. Muslims often treat opponents with something less than kindness as they seek to defend the honour of ‘Allah’.
What is a ‘cult’?
My working definition of a cult is non-theological. Traditionally, Christians apply the term to Bible-based groups that have departed significantly from the mainstream and historical creeds.
Such cults frequently deny the full deity and humanity of Jesus; his atoning work on the cross; his bodily resurrection; and his return at the end of the age to judge the living and the dead.
However, I will employ a secular definition of a cult as ‘any group that uses psychological or sociological techniques to recruit, motivate, and retain adherents’.
Cults are not necessarily religious; they may be political, commercial, psychological, or sociological in nature. They may be large or small, named or unnamed, known or unknown.
Cults may have a leader or be without a leader. The common feature is the use of control mechanisms that violate the individuality of participants.
Is Islam cultic?
Many would deny that Islam has the characteristics of a cult. But why is Islam not a cult when in many Muslim-dominated countries it is a capital offence to hand Muslims a Bible or explain Christianity (or any other religion) to them?
Kent Philpott
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