A Working Definition of a "Cult" The definition of cult in this essay is primarily non-theological. Traditionally Christians apply the term to Bible based groups that have significantly departed from the mainstream and historical creeds, particularly regarding the deity of Jesus and the meaning of His sacrifice on the cross. Bible based cults typically deny the full deity and humanity of Jesus, His atoning work on the cross, bodily resurrection, and return at the end of the age as King of kings and Lord of lords to judge the living and the dead.
However, Islam is being examined here using a secular definition of cult, that is, the use of mind-bending psychological and sociological techniques to recruit, motivate, and retain converts and members. Contrary to popular understandings, cults may not be religious; they may be political, commercial, or psychological! educational in nature. Cults may be large or small, named or unnamed, known or unknown. They may have a leader or be without a leader. The essential issue is the use of control mechanisms that violate the individuality of participants to freely associate with the group.
Cults are dangerous-they control, manipulate, and use those under their sway. Islam leaders issue declarations, a "fatwa", and may even call for a holy war, the "jihad". These clerical pronouncements place demands upon Muslims, which may violate their will and inner sensibilities. If Islam were not so fractured into sects and splinter movements, the non-Muslim world would face a more serious enemy that it does today. So strange is Islam, that it sanctions the murder of "infidels" and, of course, I am one and so is anyone who is not a Muslim.
Is Islam Cultic? My answer to the above question is that Islam is cultic. The following is a series of questions and assertions designed to demonstrate this contention.
Why is Islam not a cult when in many Muslim dominated countries it is a capital offense to hand Muslims a Bible, or, to simply explain Christianity to them? Of course, the same holds true for a Hindu or a Buddhist or a Taoist who might attempt to pass along something of his or her faith. Saudi Arabia, the guardian of Islam's most holy shrines in Mecca and Medina, is a highly restricted society where Christians are not allowed any public expression of their faith.
Why is Islam not a cult when it is virtually impossible for a Muslim to leave the religion even if one is not converting to another religion but merely wishes to become, for example, an atheist or agnostic?
Why is Islam not a cult when Muslim warriors force their religion on people? The history of Islam is full of that kind of proselytization. Yes, I know the Roman Catholic Church has forced "pagans" to adopt Catholicism. However that church has recognized that in so doing it was wrong-headed, anti-biblical, and, indeed, anti-Christian. As a Baptist, I can say that in 500 years of our history we have not engaged in such tactics and neither have any of the traditional Evangelical, Protestant denominations.
A vivid illustration of the cultic nature of Islam is the case of the novelist Salman Rushdie. Rushdie had a death contract issued against his life for what was taken as a slight against Allah in his Satanic Verses. Whereas, novelists, journalists, commentators, filmmakers, and television producers routinely critique Christianity without reprisal. Yes, I know there were the inquisitions, but again, those were carried out by the Roman Church, which is only one segment of the Christian Church. But with Islam, vengeance, reprisals, and even death contracts are systemic and ingrained in the religion.
Many if not most Muslims who live in Western countries are not cultic extremists and will be patriots of whatever country in which they live. But, the commitment to Islam may run far deeper than loyalty to any nation. Muslims will change national or political affiliations if needed, but their commitment to the defense of Islam may be fanatical. Religious faith, especially cultic religious faith, may motivate people into radical behavior.
http://www.w3church.org/ISLAM1.html