Originally posted by purfle
Below is a list of some cults...if you know anything about them then you know something about cults. Some include Roman Catholicism in the list as well.
Christian Science
Church of Christ
Islam
Jehovah's Witnesses
Mormonism
New Age Movement
Oneness Pentecostal
Open Theism
Seventh Day Adventism
Shepherd's Chapel
Universalism
etal.
We should define 'cult'. Technically it refers to a body of beliefs (including Christianity). In apologetics, it is a group that deviates significantly (essentials) from biblical, historical, orthodox Christianity.
The above list is subjective depending on the author and their perspective.
There are many 'Church of Christ' groups. Some are evangelical, while others are heretical.
Christian Science is a 'christian' cult that is out to lunch (started by Mary Baker Eddy).
Islam is a world religion, not a cult proper (usually North American groups for popular definition).
JWs and Mormons are the largest and fastest growing 'christian' cults and false.
New Age movement is an unorganized world view/philosophy with many variations of belief. It is possible to attend nominal churches and be a New Ager.
"Oneness Pentecostals" are unorthodox due to their rejection of the Trinity. They strongly affirm the Deity of Christ, but see Jesus stepping into offices or modes (Father, Son, Spirit) rather than personal distinctions within the Godhead. It is possible to be a modalist and a Christian. There are a variety of 'oneness' groups. The United Pentecostal Church does contribute to the evangelical, conservative Society for Pentecostal Studies and are considered evangelical.
Open Theism is a philosophical view held by some Baptists (Dr. Gregory Boyd) and other evangelicals teaching at conservative seminaries. They do not deny the essentials of the faith, but do deny Calvinism (usually) and wrestle with peripheral issues like the relationship of God's sovereignty to man's free will. This does not make them a cult any more than Calvinists or Arminians are cults. Whether one believes in exhaustive foreknowledge of future contingencies or an open future is not a salvific issue.
Universalism is a wrong doctine of salvation and eschatology. You may be thinking of Unitarianism, a cult.
SDA have split into 2 streams (as has the WWCofG- Herbert Armstrong). One part is evangelical (with some wrong teachings and practices), while the other part is heretical.
Moonies are another cult.
Shepherd's Chapel is not a significant group. It does have wrong doctrines on many points.
Catholicism is one of the main branches of Christianity (+ Orthodox, Protestant, Evangelical). They have core truths such as the Trinity and Deity of Christ, but add many extra/contrabiblical ideas. It is theoretically possible to be a Catholic Christian, but many are nominal and trust the Church rather than Christ for salvation.