试论中西邪教观念的差异

On the Different Meanings Between the Western "Cult" and Chinese "Xie Jiao

邪教是中文专有名词。Cult词源并无贬义 ,近代以来 ,Cult虽引申出一定贬义 ,却不等于中文的邪教含义。因此 ,将法轮功译为Cult易于引起西方社会的误解。邪教虽产生于新兴宗教 ,但新兴宗教未必都是邪教。由于文化背景的差异 ,中西方对待邪教的态度和政策并不相同 。

Xie Jiao' is a Chinese term and the origin of English 'Cult' is not derogerative, which means '(religious)ceremony'. With the suffix of ' ure', the word 'Cult' turns into Culture, and western culture is based on 'Cult'. In recent years, the word 'Cult' is gradually derogaratized, but it is still not the full equivalent for Chinese 'Xie Jiao'. So, classifying Falungong as a 'Cult' may cause misunderstandings in the western world. Mostly, 'Xie Jiao' comes from newly sprung religions, but it is unnecessary that newly sprung religions should be 'Xie Jiao'. Due to the differences in cultural background, the western world and China have different attitude and policy towards 'Cults', but Falungong is 'Xie Jiao' in its actual meaning.