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A '''cult''' is a term for a religion or community of belief that is regarded as illegitimate, heretical, or far outside mainstream beliefs.  Although some consider it to be a statement of opinion, "cult" has well-defined meanings.

A '''cult''' is a term for a religion or community of belief that is regarded as illegitimate, heretical, or far outside mainstream beliefs.  Although some consider it to be a statement of opinion, "cult" has well-defined meanings.

Cults are dangerous, and some have proven to be fatal, such as [[Jim Jones]]'s group in the late 1970s in Guyana.   

Cults are dangerous, and some have proven to be fatal, such as [[Jim Jones|Jim Jones']] group in the late 1970s in Guyana.   

== Sect vs. Cult ==

== Sect vs. Cult ==

Strictly speaking, the terms "cult" and "sect" are not synonymous, although some people use the two terms interchangeably.

Strictly speaking, the terms "cult" and "sect" are not synonymous, although some people use the two terms interchangeably.

Although many groups consider themselves sects, no group considers itself to be a cult.

Although many groups consider themselves sects, naturally no group considers itself to be a cult.

== Definitions of "cult" ==

== Definitions of "cult" ==

In a general sense, a cult is a group which exercises mind control over its followers<ref name="def">[http://www.cultwatch.com/about.html About Cultwatch]<br />[http://www.wfial.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=artGeneral.article_1 What is a Cult?] (Watchman Fellowship)<br />[http://www.cults.co.nz/cultfaq/index.php#whatisacult Cult FAQ] (Cults.co.nz)</ref>

In a general sense, a cult is a group which exercises mind control over its followers.<ref name="def">[http://www.cultwatch.com/about.html About Cultwatch]<br />[http://www.wfial.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=artGeneral.article_1 What is a Cult?] (Watchman Fellowship)<br />[http://www.cults.co.nz/cultfaq/index.php#whatisacult Cult FAQ] (Cults.co.nz)</ref>

In a [[Christianity|Christian]] sense, a cult is a group which claims to be Christian but which has major doctrinal differences to normal Christianity.<ref name="def" />

In a [[Christianity|Christian]] sense, a cult is a group which claims to be Christian but which has major doctrinal differences to normal Christianity.<ref name="def" />