A US Republican politician, Ron Ramsey, who is supported by the controversial Tea Party, has come under fire for likening Islam to a “cult” and casting doubt about whether it is even a religion.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/religion/7913579/Ron-Ramsey-Tennessee-Republican-politician-under-fire-in-Islam-is-a-cult-row.html

TBH, pretty much every major religion could once have been described as a cult (and could still?)

What about Scientology then? Is he willing to denounce that as well?

Whatever your personal beliefs or lack thereof, denouncing a major global religion as a cult is:

a) Not strictly accurate
b) Massively defamatory
c) A big sign to the world that you are ignorant to what religion can mean to others

Definitely not a good idea for any politician, but sadly, something I've come to expect from people here.

Whatever your personal beliefs or lack thereof, denouncing a major global religion as a cult is:
a) Not strictly accurate
b) Massively defamatory
c) A big sign to the world that you are ignorant to what religion can mean to others
Definitely not a good idea for any politician, but sadly, something I've come to expect from people here.

And since when have either A), B), or C), been a problem to the republican party?

My attitude is that all religions are cults, to a lesser or greater extent...... As long as they do impose their beliefs on me and others then they can believe what they like

TBH, pretty much every major religion could once have been described as a cult (and could still?)

TBH I would put all religions into the cult category. Morals are not tied to any one religion, they are common to all decent behaviour even atheists are moral.

I was not stating my opinion as fact. But religion leaves me cold and as long as people want to believe in this or that I have no problem. Some would regard Star Trek or linux mac fanboys as a cult. I do not think that religions or cults should get tax privileges just because they are religions. If they have a charitable wing that does benefit the community that could get charity status but that is different from the religion as a whole. Morals again are separate from the religion. There are atheists who are just as moral as those who believe in some god or other. If you want to believe that there is a god watching over you, or some giant pink snail that will be sent as an avenger if you mess up is no different.

Maybe not to you, but saying that to people of faith is a delicate subject and should be handled as such at all times IMHO. Especially on the internet where you don't know everybody else's thoughts/feelings/beliefs.