Creed vs. Cult — What's the Difference?

A creed, also known as a confession of faith, symbol, or statement of faith, is a statement of the shared beliefs of (an often religious) community in a form structured by subjects summarizing core tenets. Although some say Judaism is noncreedal in nature, others say it recognizes a single creed, the Shema Yisrael, which begins: "Hear, O Israel: the LORD our God, the LORD is one."The earliest creed in Christianity, "Jesus is Lord", originated in the writings of Paul the Apostle.

In modern English, a cult is a social group that is defined by its unusual religious, spiritual, or philosophical beliefs, or by its common interest in a particular personality, object, or goal. This sense of the term is controversial, having divergent definitions both in popular culture and academia, and has also been an ongoing source of contention among scholars across several fields of study.

A system of religious belief; a faith

A system of religious veneration and devotion directed towards a particular figure or object

A formal statement of religious belief; a confession of faith.

A person or thing that is popular or fashionable among a particular group or section of society

A system of belief, principles, or opinions

A religion or religious sect generally considered to be extremist or false, with its followers often living in an unconventional manner under the guidance of an authoritarian, charismatic leader.

That which is believed; accepted doctrine, especially religious doctrine; a particular set of beliefs; any summary of principles or opinions professed or adhered to.

The followers of such a religion or sect.

A reading or statement of belief that summarizes the faith it represents; a confession of faith for public use, especially one which is brief and comprehensive.

A system or community of religious worship and ritual.

(rare) The fact of believing; belief, faith.

The formal means of expressing religious reverence; religious ceremony and ritual.

To believe; to credit.

A usually nonscientific method or regimen claimed by its originator to have exclusive or exceptional power in curing a particular disease.

(intransitive) To provide with a creed.

Obsessive, especially faddish, devotion to or veneration for a person, principle, or thing.

A definite summary of what is believed; esp., a summary of the articles of Christian faith; a confession of faith for public use; esp., one which is brief and comprehensive.

The object of such devotion.

Any summary of principles or opinions professed or adhered to.

An exclusive group of persons sharing an esoteric, usually artistic or intellectual interest.

To believe; to credit.

A group, sect or movement following an unorthodox religious or philosophical system of beliefs, especially one in which members remove and exclude themselves from greater society, including family members not part of the cult, and show extreme devotion to a charismatic leader.

Any system of principles or beliefs

The veneration, devotion, and religious rites given to a deity (especially in a historical polytheistic context), or (in a Christian context) to a saint.

The written body of teachings of a religious group that are generally accepted by that group

(informal) A group of people having an obsession with or intense admiration for a particular activity, idea, person or thing.

Of or relating to a cult.

Enjoyed by a small, loyal group.

Alternative form of kvlt.

Attentive care; homage; worship.

A system of religious belief and worship.

A system of intense religious veneration of a particular person, idea, or object, especially one considered spurious or irrational by traditional religious bodies; as, the Moonie cult.

The group of individuals who adhere to a cult (senses 2 or 3).

A strong devotion or interest in a particular person, idea or thing without religious associations, or the people holding such an interest; as, the cult of James Dean; the cult of personality in totalitarian societies.

Adherents of an exclusive system of religious beliefs and practices

An interest followed with exaggerated zeal;

A system of religious beliefs and rituals;