Cult

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.

"Sect" vs. "Cult"

Strictly speaking, the terms "cult" and "sect" are not synonymous, although some people user the two terms interchangeably. Although many groups consider themselves "sects," no group considers itself to be a "cult".

Definitions of "cult"

In a general sense, a cult is a group which exercises mind control over its followers

In a Christian sense, a cult is a group which claims to be Christian but which has major doctrinal differences to normal Christianity.

The word "cult" is not in the Bible but its direct corollary is heresy or heretic. Other Biblical terms are false teachers, false prophets and false brethren.

Typical lists of "cult" characteristics given by their opponents include:

• recent origin^{[Citation Needed]}
• autocratic rule by a single charismatic leader
• extraordinary demands on converts (such as that they surrender all their property to the cult) and
• a maniacal focus on proselytizing and winning new converts.

There have been cults which have claimed to be Christian, as well as cults which claim some other religious affiliation, or no affiliation at all. One notable example of a cult is the "People's Temple" operated by Jim Jones . Jones' insistence that all his true followers drink poisoned fruit punch led to the deaths of 913 of his converts at their enclave of Jonestown in Guyana.

"Deprogramming"

The process of attempting to "rescue" people from cults, and reverse perceived or actual mind control, is known as deprogramming, and is controversial from both a legal and social perspective.