"Cult" is an umbrella term that is somewhat indefinite, and used to describe unorthodox, extremist, or false religions or sects whose practices are outside of conventional society, generally under the direction of a strong, charismatic leader. In a broad sense, a cult is a relatively small group of people who hold to religious beliefs or practices that are regarded by others as strange or sinister. Theologically, a cult generally refers to a system of religious veneration that is directed toward a particular figure or object. Many, if not most, new religions are considered to be cults until they get large enough to be defined otherwise. One might say that a cult is a religious group with poor public relations. Whatever the definition, the focus of this category is on the general topic of cults, by whatever definition, rather than a place to list sites of various religions that might be deemed cultish. Sites representing a specific religious body or group should be listed in the appropriate category for that religious body rather than here. The focus of this category is on cults rather than on any specific religion that might be considered to be a cult.
 
 
Feature Article
What is a Cult?

To a large extent, today, a cult is a religion
in need of a good public
relations campaign. New religions are generally thought of as cults,
at least until they gain enough followers to become a part of the
mainstream. I think it's fair to say that members of a cult do not
consider themselves to be cult members.
One dictionary
definition of a cult is "a system of religious or spiritual beliefs,
especially an informal and transient belief system regarded by others as
misguided, unorthodox, or false, and directed by a charismatic,
authoritarian leader."
Christianity
was considered to be a cult when it began, and for good reason. Like most
new religions, Christianity fit the definition of a cult perfectly. It was
informal, in that Christ rejected many of the traditions of Judaism,
and there can be little argument that Jesus
was a charismatic, authoritarian leader.
The early Christians were persecuted for their faith by both the Jews and
the Romans. The first Christian martyr, Stephen, was stoned for his
transgression of orthodoxy, and it is believed that most of the early
Christian leaders died at the hands of either the Jews or the Romans.
In the early days of Christianity, there were rumors of cannibalism,
perhaps stemming from a misunderstanding of the Christian sacrament of
Communion, and there were allegations of sexual orgies among Christians.
Christianity, now the largest religion in the world by far, began as a
cult that was viewed as dangerous by those outside of the group.
Sharing a common origin, Islam,
now the second largest religion in the world, began similarly. Mohammad,
certainly a charismatic leader, embarked on his ministry at the age of
forty. Although known for its religious tolerance, the people of Mecca
initially ridiculed Mohammed for his beliefs, and later became hostile.
Together making up more than half of all of the religions in the world,
neither Christianity or Islam are thought to be cults today, but they were
considered to be such in their early years.
Within the Christian religion, and probably other major religions as well,
there are also sects and groups that are considered to be cults. Many of
these never reach the point where they are able to shed that label but,
during my lifetime, I am witnessing the transformation of at least a
couple of these groups, namely the Mormons, also known as Jesus
Christ of Latter Day Saints, and the Jehovah's
Witnesses.
Not too long ago, a common belief among Christians was that the Mormons
and the Jehovah's Witnesses were non-Christian cults. Today, while there are many who would still refer to them as cults, these
groups are more often now included in lists of major Christian
denominations.
While there may have been some changes in the doctrines of these
organizations, I don't believe that a change in doctrine is the reason for
their change in status. I am convinced that this has had far more to do
with persistence, growth, and good public relations.
Nearly every town in the United
States, it seems, has a Jehovah's Witness Kingdom Hall. Most people
in the United States work with, live near, or are otherwise acquainted
with someone who is a Jehovah's Witness
The same is true of the Mormons. In addition, the Mormons have been one of
the chief sponsors of Boy Scout troops in the United States. From all
reports, they do not proselytize scouts in their troop, but these boys
grow up aware that their scout leader was a Mormon, and they probably met
for scout meetings in a Mormon church. As men, they will be unlikely to
view the Mormons as particularly strange, or of Mormonism as a cult. I am
not suggesting that the Mormons sponsor Boy Scout troops as part of an
established public relations campaign, only that it serves as good public
relations.
However, public relations has been important to the church, which produced
an excellent television advertising campaign centered around family values
and in the early 2000s, the church issued
a press release encouraging reporters to use the full name of the church
in news articles, with references to the "Church of Jesus Christ," and
discouraging the use of the term, "Mormon Church," in order to better
identify itself as a mainstream Protestant
denomination.
It is not unreasonable for a church to be concerned with image, but in the
case of those churches still young and small enough to be considered a
cult, a good marketing
and advertising campaign is perhaps the most important tool that can
be used by a religious group wanting to shed that label and become part of
the mainstream.
It's all a matter of perception, after all.
Recommended Resources
Unaffiliated with any specific denomination or church, this site is maintained by an organization of Christians who offer information about the characteristics that distinguish a particular religious group as a cult, and any some groups that appear to be community social organizations have deeper goals and religious motives. Several groups considered to be cults are examined, including their basic doctrines, origins, beliefs and deceptions. Contributions may be made through the site.
http://www.allaboutcults.org/
CARM: Cults - An Outline Analysis
Presented by Christian Apologetics & Research Ministry, a non-profit Christian ministry, the site offers an outline on cults, including common characteristics, a discussion of the types of people who are vulnerable to joining a cult and why they might join a cult, the recruitment techniques typically used, and measures that are used by a cult to keep people from leaving, as well as how a family member or others might get a loved one out of a cult.
https://carm.org/cults-outline-analysis
The search engine returns results primarily from web sites and blogs that reference cults from a sociological rather than from a mainstream Christian theological perspective, offering information about alleged cult groups, cult-like organizations, abusive churches, cultic behavior, spiritual abuse, undue influence, and related topics. Topics include a discussion of the people who join cults and why, the different categories of cults, and cult-like tendencies in churches.
http://www.countercultsearch.com/
The word has several precise, and several less precise definitions, and may mean different things depending on the context in which it is used as well as the perspective of the person using it. Published by Apologetics Index, a Christian group, the site offers several definitions of the word, explaining why, and under what conditions or context, the definitions may vary. Included are theological and sociological definitions, destructive cults, and why some cults are not destructive.
http://cultdefinition.com/
CEI is a non-profit organization dedicated to public education and research, largely the study of destructive cults, and other controversial groups and movements, and to post news and information about them. The site features a public database of these groups to assist researchers and other professionals, the media, and interested members of the public. A message board allows for interactive discussion, and relevant books on the subject are recommended.
https://culteducation.com/
Presented and maintained by the Cult Education Institute, the site tracks news reports relating to secular and religious groups or sects that it has identified as cults, including, organizing them chronologically, and linking to the original sources. Links may be submitted by registered site visitors, and comments may also be added. A member's section is included, and link and comment guidelines are posted.
https://cultnews.net/
Headed by Dr. Janja Lalich, a former cult member, author and expert in cultic studies, the site offers several articles on cults, including the basis upon which a group might be considered to be a cult, the characteristics of a cult, why people join them, behavioral control systems, the change process, thought-reform system, and social-psychological influences. Recommended books and other readings are cited, and an overview of Dr. Lalich's consulting services are provided.
http://cultresearch.org/
Part of the Apologetics Index, CultFAQ offers information about cults, cultish sects, and related issues, such as the various types of cults. Included are definitions of cult-related terminology, guidelines for choosing a counselor or cult expert, as well as a listing of cult experts, organizations, and ministries. Recommendations for books, conferences and seminars, and other helpful sites are included, along with several informational articles.
http://www.cultfaq.org/
Cultwatch is a para-church organization made up of people from various Christian denominations who came together to help people who are trapped in cults, and to warn others about the dangers of cults before they are ensnared. Information about how cults work, and advice for determining whether you are in a cult, how to leave and recover after leaving a cult, and how to help others is given, and specific churches and groups considered to be cults are defined, including the reasons why.
http://www.cultwatch.com/
Intended as a resource or support area for those who have previously been members of a cult, general information about mind control and ways in which a cult may be identified are offered here, and specific churches and organizations defined as being a cult are identified, and informational articles are included supporting such designation are included. Other resources include links to organizations, books, and other web sites offering additional information.
http://www.ex-cult.org/
Families Against Cult Teachings and Abuses
Involved in education and awareness, victim support, and cult group investigation, the site outlines its support services, which are limited, and primarily for the exploitation of minors or those involving suicidal victims. Cults and how they work is discussed, including the warning signs, a list of destructive groups, and news about cults and cult activity. Contributions may be made through the site.
https://www.familiesagainstcultteachings.org/
Freedom of Mind Resource Center
Using a strategic interactive approach developed by founder Steven Hasson, the Center offers coaching, consulting and training for those who are seeking help for themselves or a loved on concerning controlling people, cults, beliefs, estrangement, and parental alienation. In addition to religious cults, these may be psychotherapy cults, political cults, commercial cults, terrorist organizations, and trafficking rings, as well as personality cults. The methods used are described in a video.
https://freedomofmind.com/
Holysmoke is a skeptic site, one that looks at issues of religious fraud, addressing the financial, emotional and intellectual harm that its authors view a having been caused by religious fraud and deceit. A variety of religious institutions are discussed, including cults, faith healers and creationists, and most particularly the Church of Scientology, but notably turning a tolerant eye toward Wicca and the occult, while broadly defining mainstream religions as cults.
http://www.holysmoke.org/
Presented and maintained by Cultwatch, the site offers information on identifying a cult, including various definitions and types of cults, such as religious, commercial, self-help and counseling cults, and political cults. The use of mind control, deception, and exclusivism by cults is also discussed. Other topics include cultic warning signs, advice for the media and celebrities, how to leave and recover from a religious cult, and how to find a good church, and others.
http://www.howcultswork.com/
International Cultic Studies Association
The ICSA is a global, tax-exempt, network of individuals who share a concern about psychological manipulation and abuse in cultic groups, alternative movements, and other environments. Its mission is to apply research to the problem, educating the public and others through conferences, workshops, an electronic library, newsletter, research, networking opportunities, and a telephone information hotline. Membership subscriptions may be accomplished online.
http://www.icsahome.com/
Created and maintained by a Canadian couple who have been actively involved in ministering to former Jehovah’s Witnesses, the site lists books on cults and other products for sale, but also offers information about an expanding range of religious and spiritual groups they deem to be cults or aberrant movements, including informational videos, audio recordings, a newsletter, and opportunities to contribute to the project.
http://www.mmoutreach.org/
Parcast is a storytelling podcast network that features scripted, story-driven programs that are entertaining and informative. Cults is part of the Parcast Network, and a Cutler Media Production, and includes several podcast episodes on various cults and cult topics, such as Raelism, the Order of the Solar Temple, the Leopard Society of West Africa, and the narcosatanists led by Adolfo de Jesus Constanzo, a Palo Mayombe group responsible for multiple cult murders in Mexico.
https://www.parcast.com/cults/