Can Protestants technically be considered a cult?

If you can get people to accept your definition of a cult then yes, Protestant Christianity is a cult. Of course, under your definition Christianity is itself a cult because it broke off of Judaism. So... good luck with that. Most people define a cult as a religious organization that exercises an unusually large amount of mind control on its followers. Personally, I think many smaller fundie churches could be considered cults.

the protestants were protesting that the catholic mother body had been the ones detouring from the tradition...transubstantiation, celibate priests, indulgences, purgatory, the immaculate conception, these beliefs are all added over time among many others. The early creed has much common ground among Christian and Catholics. Jesus taught against the traditions of man and we should look to get to a genuine biblical faith. The many variations are due to the many forks in the road where more than one opinion exists. Cults are when teaching is compulsory and against the established tenants of the faith. Galatians lays it out if I or any man or even another angel from heaven preach another gospel let him be accursed. When they ride up on their bikes or walk up in their suits listen and ask them what you need to do to be saved. Write down their answers and then show them this and all the places from acts through the epistles where salvation is in faith in Jesus and see if what they have presented is another gospel.

NO. The protestant church had several reasons for breaking off of the Catholic church, and the reasons were good ones. The Catholic church added to the original doctrines which are against what the bible actually says. An example of this, is that the Catholic church believes that the bible itself is not the only written word of God, but it is. They included other books and writings saying that these also are "God's word". Not so. Another example is that the Catholics believe that you have to have meritorial good works as well as accepting Christ in order to get to heaven. That's not what the bible says. It says that first and foremost you have to accept Christ. That is the way into heaven first. Good works alone will not get you into heaven, but after accepting Christ, it's another imporant thing to do, but it in itself alone will not obtain salvation. Another example is they believe that the Pope is infallible, that he is Christ's "substitute" for Christ until his return. Nowhere in the bible does it give ANYONE permission to be a "sub" for Christ. There is only one Christ, and he's in heaven until his return. That's why we have the Holy Spirit. While the Catholic church does believe in the trinity and believes in many of the christian doctrine, they've added their own doctrines and passed it off as abolute truth. The below link is a great website which explains the differences between the protestant and Catholic beliefs. The protestant church follows the bible only, and it acknowledges that faith and salvation in Christ alone by grace is what is needed FIRST to get to heaven before anything else. The cults you referred to are pseudo-christian cults who reject the trinity and reject Christ as the saviour. A couple of them are very well known. Protestants are NOT a cult, and never will be. The catholic church believes it's the only true church. But the bible doesn't say that at all.

No. Protestantism is not a religious organization. Even according to your personal definition of "cult", Protestantism does not match it.

You might claim that particular Protestant sects are cults according to your definition - but many Protestant sects would still not meet your definition of "cult".

Jim, http://www.biblechooser.com/

Well by that vague definition, Christianity itself is a cult, so yes, Protestants would likewise be included.

Usually the difference between a "Religion" and a "Cult" is its size (and thus social acceptability). Given that Protestantism is quite large, it wouldn't normally count as a cult (except in specific historical contexts)

If this is true, they have descended from the pagan cult of Catholicism. It seems that the Protestants were able to put much of that false pagan Catholicism doctrine to sleep, though.

NO!!!!

A cult or false doctrine, is any teaching which is contrary to the basic doctrines of God's Word, such

as denying the Trinity, the virgin birth of Jesus Christ, the atoning death of Jesus, along with His bodily resurrection and second coming,salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, the bodily resurrection of all believers and the reality of heaven, and the eternal condemnation of those who reject Christ.

no that is the ones who deny the TRinity...google this or read book

kingdom of the cults by Martin

All religions are cults. A cult is a group of people who believe in a far-fetched ideology that goes against reason. The size of the following does not mean it is n ot a cult.

When you break it down like that, possibly yes. Many people consider the Catholic Church a cult too though.