1 anything anyone does can seem silly to outsiders.

2 Religion is not logical though people try and apply logic to it usually poorly, it is highly emotional driven by a set of ideals that often must be protected blindly

3 I have survived hate crimes based of religion (actual attempts to kill).

4 it is always easier to build up ones beliefs by attacking another's

5 most religions are cults

6 brainwashing & manipulation of the mind via religion is surprisingly easy and a totally sane individual can be slowly programed by a clever religious leader who is really a sociopath, there is a set way to do this.

7 some religions demand that anyone who leaves it must be killed

8 some religions seek ASC while others recoil from ASC

9 some religions embrace sin, while others do not

10 heretics exist, and though viewed as a threat may not actually be a threat

I can expand on this & explain better if needed.

Also, every religion is a cult, even atheistic ones. Some so-called "anti-cult" relgions try to confuse "cult" with "destructive cult" or "dangerous cult". They call Jehovah's Witnesses a "cult" in the hopes of causing people to think of Jehovah's Witnesses as a destructive or dangerous cult when they are quite literally the most harmless religion in the world because they do not go to war and do not persecute others for their religious beliefs with threats, violence, dangerous lies and verbal abuse, nor do they incite their own persecution as some like to claim. My point being, do not confuse "cult" for "destructive" or "dangerous cult" as some would like to see done.

Which also brings me to polytheism, transmigration of the soul, Nirvana and transcendental meditation from Buddhism.

Also the "mysteries" of various dangerous mystery cults from ancient Persia to today, which include secret rites and death-invoking vows that may or may not be enforced. The Masons are a modern form of mystery cult.

Most religions have prophets (or seers), avatars (Gods in the forms of men), priests or ministers and scriptures, as a well as a central body that decides doctrine.

Ancestor worship is a good one.

I do not wish to offend anyone, so please do not take any comment as an attack. I understand it can be misunderstood that mystery cult is an insult, I mean no such thing. I want to be clear on this point.

 When I stated Christianity was a mystery cult I was simply a stage it went through. As a religion Christianity has changed many times and gone through many stages, this seems normal, logical and a reasonable analysis of it's history to me. I do believe (personally) Ascent that the original form of Christianity as taught by Jesus was probably very different then some of the stages it has gone through including the "mystery cult" stage. I do not wish to debate the stages or my beliefs about the original form of Christianity as many people will become upset and will think I am disrespecting their deeply held beliefs if I am not in total 100% agreement with them (even though disrespect would not be my intent). We are talking over 2000+ years of history and lots of ideas about how best to be Christian so it is very easy to accidentally offend.  I do not wish to cause unnecessary stress or ill will to anyone on our forum as I really value you all. Peace-Pax-Shalom-Salam

I only wish to point out "mystery cults" generally have layers, an outer well known general information layer and a deeper inner knowledge that traditionally is connected to some sort of rites along with personal experiences & education into the mysteries and whom can have access to such teachings. Also sometimes the religious apple cart gets kicked over when someone comes along that has experiences or opinions that cause change in a religion, note such people may or may not be called prophets as such titles seem to be heavily influenced by other deeper beliefs, though they might get to be saints or some other title of importance depending on the religion.

Mostly I feel religion for SF is part of the background setting, adds realism and is an added element to add depth to plots, characters, etc.

I hope everyone understands what I am trying to say. 

Christianity's forray into mystery cult status was not complete until the 4th century, long after many apostasies had already taken root in it. When the Catholic church, a mystery cult, became the official state religion of the Roman Empire, then they violently suppressed all other Christian sects, virtually wiping them out of existence. The Catholic church maintained mystery cult status, while the Protestant reformation sought to finally teach the Bible, which the Catholic church had suppressed as part of its mysteries. Even the Catholic church acknowledges this course of events, so there is no argument.

Just be sure, through your wording, that people understand that Christianity did not start out as a mystery cult. The words "early Christianity" is often applied up to the 8th century, and thus the words are often used to too easily paint with broad brushstrokes and give a wholely different picture than what was really the case, usually to suit a sectarian agenda. I'm sure a sectarian agenda is not the case with you, but painting with broad brushstrokes can lead many reading such words to have misunderstandings and wrong ideas.

According to the apostle Paul, it is a Christian's job to defend against such things.

Just for the record I think some of the academics who write about their own religion and other people's religious beliefs clearly are not objective. They have not always done a good job regardless of what they call themselves. Often they get stuck on one dominating idea or way of viewing all religion, mythology or spirituality. A lot either are trying to prove all religion is silly, or their religion is the best or their interruption is all that matters, and then there are cultural biases that create really bad boxes they try and shove everyone into mindlessly. All this combines in my opinion to do a disservice to everyone interested in understanding any religion or spiritual beliefs of any people in the present or the past.

The last time I was asked an opinion of doctrine if you will (a debate on who get's to go to heaven between different Protestant theologies) I shocked the room with my answer: "Everyone believe's they are chosen, that is why they all are so willing to kill to be chosen, but very few are willing to do what they need to do to one with God, got to go home, bye everyone." No one has asked me any more questions recently, I may have offended all the different people arguing... I sincerely hope they realize to Love others and not Judge so much.

Peace all.

Churches also provide either promotion of government loyalty or pacification of members from political upheaval. Take that away and the people become more inclined to rise up as well as deplete the primary source of most of their soldiers. Many churches also give money to political programs as well. It's just an all around bad day for the government if ever they remove church tax exemption.