Is Hare Krishna a Cult?

[TheGreekSeeker]

Yesterday I was approached at my place of work by a guy who had a shaved head and a little ponytail on top, he was selling 2 books (for whatever money I could give he said). When I asked him what were these about, he started talking about spirituality so I immediately jumped in with questions like:

"What is God?"

"What is the soul?"

"Where does the soul go after death?"

"What is the Self with a capital S in contradiction to the ego?"

"Have you achieved enlightenment?"

"How can we use psychedelics to become Awakened?"

 

Long story short, I thought I found an enlighted person. But, he invited me on Sunday to a "free" (he said I could donate money if I wanted) group meditation session. He insisted throughout our interaction for me to chant the Hare Krishna mantras. It felt "off". He told me he was a vegetarian, woke up at 4 in the morning and lived as a monk for 20+ years. My big question is, where do these people find the time and energy and money to support a vegetarian diet, strict morning routines etc.

He gave me the feeling like he is brainwashed and/or part of a cult. Should I attend their meetings or not? Was he just trying to proselytize me? Or was he genuine in helping me to realize God?

@Leo Gura

Edited 9 hours ago by TheGreekSeeker

[Leo Gura]

Yes

[Aaron p]

Better cult than Christianity. They do have some mystical stuff. Direct communication with the deity etc.

[Something Funny]

@Aaron p Christianity is not a cult. 

[Aaron p]

Qualifying factors for a cult can be these:

 

1. Rigid ideology — The group treats its beliefs as absolute truth and discourages questioning.

2. Suppression of critical thinking — Doubt, skepticism, or disagreement are reframed as ego or weakness.

3. Conformity pressure — Members are expected to think, speak, and act in line with group norms.

4. Dependence on the leader/system — Followers believe they need the leader for spiritual or personal salvation.

5. Exclusive truth claims — The group believes it alone has access to “the truth,” and outsiders are deluded.

6. Isolation — Members are subtly or overtly cut off from outside perspectives or relationships.

7. Information control — Criticism or alternative sources are dismissed or censored.

8. Emotional manipulation — Guilt, fear, or shame are used to enforce loyalty.

9. Charismatic authority — The leader is seen as uniquely enlightened, wise, or beyond ordinary criticism.

10. Exit costs — Leaving is framed as betrayal or spiritual downfall, creating fear of departure.

11. Doctrine over experience — Teachings replace genuine inquiry or personal verification.

12. Language control — The group redefines terms and uses insider jargon that prevents open critique.

 

I'd say Christianity ticks a couple of the boxes. Not as much number 9, in fact actualized nearly ticks this box...except Leo isn't worshipped as having attained that which others cannot. Plus cults aren't that bad for us, if you know how to protect yourself you can check some of them out. 

Edited 8 hours ago by Aaron p

[theoneandnone]

I think it’s cult like I see a TikTok live come across my feed a few times a month where these bald headed dudes literally walk back and forth for hours “Hare Krishna Hare Krishna” it’s absolutely weird and hilarious 

[theoneandnone]

23 minutes ago, Something Funny said:

@Aaron p Christianity is not a cult. 

LMAO

[Something Funny]

8 minutes ago, theoneandnone said:

LMAO

LMFAO

[NewKidOnTheBlock]

Hahah I did come across these folks multiple times in my life and, in the heat of the moment purchased a book from them twice. Funny lads

[Princess Arabia]

3 hours ago, Something Funny said:

@Aaron p Christianity is not a cult. 

LMAO.

[Hojo]

This is what your soul looks like

[Carl-Richard]

4 minutes ago, Hojo said:

This is what your soul looks like

Bro what the fuck. Most random ass post.

[UnbornTao]

1 minute ago, Carl-Richard said:

Bro what the fuck. Most random ass post.

[Carl-Richard]

3 hours ago, Aaron p said:

Qualifying factors for a cult can be these:

 

1. Rigid ideology — The group treats its beliefs as absolute truth and discourages questioning.

2. Suppression of critical thinking — Doubt, skepticism, or disagreement are reframed as ego or weakness.

3. Conformity pressure — Members are expected to think, speak, and act in line with group norms.

4. Dependence on the leader/system — Followers believe they need the leader for spiritual or personal salvation.

5. Exclusive truth claims — The group believes it alone has access to “the truth,” and outsiders are deluded.

6. Isolation — Members are subtly or overtly cut off from outside perspectives or relationships.

7. Information control — Criticism or alternative sources are dismissed or censored.

8. Emotional manipulation — Guilt, fear, or shame are used to enforce loyalty.

9. Charismatic authority — The leader is seen as uniquely enlightened, wise, or beyond ordinary criticism.

10. Exit costs — Leaving is framed as betrayal or spiritual downfall, creating fear of departure.

11. Doctrine over experience — Teachings replace genuine inquiry or personal verification.

12. Language control — The group redefines terms and uses insider jargon that prevents open critique.

Next time, ask ChatGPT to give you an academically informed answer and not a smorgasboard of pop culture stereotypes. Sorry — allergies 🤧.

When you have a religious group that is an offshoot of a larger religion that have their own interpretation and claims about that religion, and they largely separate themselves from the rest of society, you have a sect. When the beliefs are more idiosyncratic and not tied to a larger religion or frame in society (and you have separation from the rest of society), you have a cult. Hare Krishna seems more like a sect than a cult.

Edited 4 hours ago by Carl-Richard

[Hojo]

When you are upset with life it looks like this. This is not random its esoteric knowledge. Its a triangle( God) covering a square ( your soul) covering a circle ( your point of view)

 

Edited 5 hours ago by Hojo

[Carl-Richard]

@Hojo What does this have to do with Hare Krishna? 🤡

Edited 5 hours ago by Carl-Richard

[Hojo]

@Carl-Richard They want to know what a soul is. Next time he see hare krishna he can ask them if they know what geometric shape the soul is. If its a cult they will say i don't know or something other than a square.

Edited 4 hours ago by Hojo

[Princess Arabia]

46 minutes ago, Carl-Richard said:

Bro what the fuck. Most random ass post.

lol