cult / worship
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cult / worship
The totality of religious acts and rites practiced in worship of a deity or saint. It describes the formal practice of religious worship.
Im antiken Rom gab es einen ausgeprägten Kultus um den Kaiser.
In ancient Rome, there was a well-developed cult around the emperor.
cult / adoration
An exaggerated, almost ritual form of adoration of a person, an idea, or a thing.
Um den Popstar wurde von seinen Fans ein regelrechter Kultus betrieben.
The pop star's fans built up a veritable cult around him.
education and culture
In some German federal states, the term for the administrative area responsible for education, schools, and cultural affairs (see Kultusministerium).
Der Bereich Kultus ist für die Genehmigung der Lehrpläne an Schulen verantwortlich.
The area of education and culture is responsible for approving school curricula.
You can recognize the meaning of 'Kultus' from the context. If it is about religion or history, ritual worship (m01) is meant. If it is about fans or exaggerated admiration, modern adoration (m02) is meant. In connection with politics and education, it refers to administration (m03).
Im alten Ägypten gab es einen komplexen Totenkultus.
In ancient Egypt, there was a complex cult of the dead.
'Kultus' can easily be confused with the English word 'cult'. While 'cult' often describes a dangerous, manipulative group (in German 'Sekte'), 'Kultus' (m02) usually means harmless, though exaggerated, adoration, similar to 'cult of personality'.
Die Fans betreiben einen regelrechten Kultus um die Schauspielerin.
The fans have built up a veritable cult around the actress.
In its religious meaning, 'Kultus' (cult/worship) is a formal word that occurs mainly in theological, historical, or academic texts.
Der Mithras-Kultus war im Römischen Reich weit verbreitet.
The cult of Mithras was widespread in the Roman Empire.
In the meaning 'übersteigerte Verehrung' (exaggerated adoration), the fixed expression 'einen Kultus um jemanden/etwas betreiben' (to build up/make a cult around someone/something) is often used.
Manche Leute betreiben einen wahren Kultus um ihr Auto.
Some people make a real cult of their car.
This meaning is almost exclusively limited to the administrative and political sphere in Germany. It is usually found as part of the word 'Kultusministerium' (Ministry of Education and Cultural Affairs), which in some federal states is responsible for education and culture.
Er arbeitet als Beamter im Bereich Kultus.
He works as a civil servant in the area of education and culture.
church service
Der Gottesdienst usually refers to a specific religious service or gathering. Der Kultus, by contrast, means the totality of religious acts and rites, that is, the formal practice of worship. Use Gottesdienst for the individual event and Kultus for the broader religious system or its practice.
Der Kultus dieser Religion umfasst Gebete, Opfer und andere religiöse Riten.
This religion's worship includes prayers, sacrifices, and other religious rites.
Der Gottesdienst beginnt am Sonntag um zehn Uhr in der Kirche.
The church service begins at ten o'clock on Sunday.
