Is The Catholic Church A Cult?

Q. I am not Catholic, but I have read several books that consider them cults, just like Mormons, Scientology etc.  What is your take on this?

A. According to experts like Dr. Walter Martin, who wrote “The Kingdom of the Cults”  the following 3 things identify a religious organization as a cult.  They deny the deity of Jesus, they deny the doctrine of salvation by grace alone, or they deny the existence of a literal place of torment following death. These three beliefs are the foundation of orthodox Christianity.  The Catholic Church does not believe in salvation by grace alone.