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In [[tradition]]al usage, the '''cult''' of a [[religion]], quite apart from its sacred writings ("[[scripture]]s"), its [[theology]] or [[mythology]], or the [[personal]] [[faith]] of its believers, is the totality of ''external'' religious practice and observance. Cult is literally the "care" (Latin ''cultus'') owed to the god and the shrine. In the specific [[context]] of Greek hero cult, Carla Antonaccio has written, "The term ''cult'' identifies a [[pattern]] of [[ritual]] [[behavior]] in connection with specific [[thinigs|objects]], within a framework of spatial and temporal coordinates. ''Ritual'' behavior would include (but not necessarily be limited to) prayer, sacrifice, votive offerings, competitions, processions and construction of monuments.  Some degree of recurrence in place and repetition over [[time]] of ritual action is necessary for cult to be enacted, to be practiced" (Antonaccio, "Contesting the Past: Hero Cult, Tomb Cult, and Epic in Early Greece", ''American Journal of Archaeology'' '''98'''.3 (July 1994: 389-410) p. 398.)

In [[tradition]]al usage, the '''cult''' of a [[religion]], quite apart from its sacred writings ("[[scripture]]s"), its [[theology]] or [[mythology]], or the [[personal]] [[faith]] of its believers, is the totality of ''external'' religious practice and observance. Cult is literally the "care" (Latin ''cultus'') owed to the god and the shrine. In the specific [[context]] of Greek hero cult, Carla Antonaccio has written, "The term ''cult'' identifies a [[pattern]] of [[ritual]] [[behavior]] in connection with specific [[things|objects]], within a framework of spatial and temporal coordinates. ''Ritual'' behavior would include (but not necessarily be limited to) prayer, sacrifice, votive offerings, competitions, processions and construction of monuments.  Some degree of recurrence in place and repetition over [[time]] of ritual action is necessary for cult to be enacted, to be practiced" (Antonaccio, "Contesting the Past: Hero Cult, Tomb Cult, and Epic in Early Greece", ''American Journal of Archaeology'' '''98'''.3 (July 1994: 389-410) p. 398.)

==Etymology==

==Etymology==

The term "cult" first appeared in [[English]] in 1617, derived from the French ''culte'', [[meaning]] "[[worship]]" or "a particular form of worship" which in turn originated from the [[Latin]] [[word]] '''''cultus''''' meaning "care, cultivation, worship," originally "tended, cultivated," also the past participle of ''colere'' "to till the soil". In French, for example, sections in newspapers giving the schedule of worship at [[Catholic church]]es are headed ''Culte Catholique''; the section giving the schedule of Protestant churches is headed ''culte réformé''.

The term "cult" first appeared in [[English]] in 1617, derived from the French ''culte'', [[meaning]] "[[worship]]" or "a particular form of worship" which in turn originated from the [[Latin]] [[word]] '''''cultus''''' meaning "care, cultivation, worship," originally "tended, cultivated," also the past participle of ''colere'' "to till the soil". In French, for example, sections in newspapers giving the schedule of worship at Catholic churches are headed ''Culte Catholique''; the section giving the schedule of Protestant churches is headed ''culte réformé''.

The meaning "devotion to a person or thing" is from 1829. Starting about 1920, ''"cult"'' acquired additional proscriptive definitions.

The meaning "devotion to a person or thing" is from 1829. Starting about 1920, ''"cult"'' acquired additional proscriptive definitions.

Some Christians make refined distinctions between [[worship]] and veneration, both of which can be outwardly expressed in a similar [[manner]]. Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy distinguish between ''worship'' (Latin ''adoratio'', Greek ''latreia'' ''[λατρεια]'') which is due to God alone, and ''veneration'' (Latin ''veneratio'', Greek ''doulia'' ''[δουλεια]''), which may be offered to heroes.  

Some Christians make refined distinctions between [[worship]] and veneration, both of which can be outwardly expressed in a similar [[manner]]. Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy distinguish between ''worship'' (Latin ''adoratio'', Greek ''latreia'' ''[λατρεια]'') which is due to God alone, and ''veneration'' (Latin ''veneratio'', Greek ''doulia'' ''[δουλεια]''), which may be offered to heroes.  

Among the observances in the cult are [[ritual]]s, [[ceremonies]], [[liturgy]] which may involve [[oral|spoken]] or [[song|sung]] [[words]], and often involve personal sacrifice. Other manifestations of the cult of a deity are the preservation of [[relic]]s or the creation of images, such as icons, and the specification of sacred places, hilltops and mountains, fissures and caves, springs, pools and groves, or even [[individual]] trees or stones, which may be the seat of an [[oracle]] or the venerated site of a [[vision]], apparition, miracle or other occurrence commemorated or recreated in cult practices. Sacred places may be identified and elaborated by construction of shrines and temples, on which are centered [[public]] attention at religious festivals and which may become the center for pilgrimages.

Among the observances in the cult are [[ritual]]s which may involve [[oral|spoken]] or [[voice|sung]] [[words]], and often involve personal sacrifice. Other manifestations of the cult of a deity are the preservation of [[artifacts|relic]]s or the creation of images, such as icons, and the specification of sacred places, hilltops and mountains, fissures and caves, springs, pools and groves, or even [[individual]] trees or stones, which may be the seat of an [[Prophet|oracle]] or the venerated site of a [[vision]], apparition, miracle or other occurrence commemorated or recreated in cult practices. Sacred places may be identified and elaborated by construction of shrines and temples, on which are centered [[public]] attention at religious festivals and which may become the center for pilgrimages.

The comparative study of cult practice is part of the [[discipline]]s of the [[anthropology of religion]] and the [[sociology of religion]], two aspects of [[comparative religion]]. In the context of many religious organisations themselves, the study of cultic is called ''[[liturgy]]''.

The comparative study of cult practice is part of the [[discipline]]s of the [[anthropology]] of [[religion]] and the [[sociology]] of religion, two aspects of comparative religion. In the [[context]] of many religious organisations themselves, the study of cultic is called ''liturgy''.

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