What is the difference between a religion and a cult?

A religion has its origin in God, while a cult grows out of currents in society. Cults become popular quickly and soon fade, whereas true religion has to prevail against resistance and endures across generations.

The most important difference lies in origin. A religion goes back to God. A cult, by contrast, arises from values and moods already present in a society. These values may be good or bad. Often what unites them is the wish for a shortcut to spiritual success, without the hard path of inner purification.

A second difference follows from this. Whoever founds a cult meets little resistance. A section of society supports it, because it confirms what many want anyway. That is why cults often become popular very quickly. A true religion, on the other hand, challenges people. It has to struggle hard to influence society, because there is always resistance against it. The verse above recalls that God's Messengers were rejected and persecuted and yet remained patient.

A third difference shows itself over time. Cults usually do not last long. They flare up briefly and many run after them. They are seldom passed on from parents to children. After a while some followers realise they have been deceived, for instance when someone has disappeared with their money.

The parables above put this into a picture. The good word is like a tree with a firm root, whose branches reach into heaven and which bears fruit at all times. The evil word is like a tree torn out of the earth, with no stability.

So anyone who wants to test what they are getting into can ask. Where does this teaching come from, does it demand real change, and has it borne good fruit across generations?