What is a cult?

[Kizzume]

Is a cult any religion that isn't based on the Bible, the Koran, or the teachings of Buddha?

Is a cult any religion that isn't based on the Bible or the Koran?

Is a cult any religion that isn't based on the Bible?

Is a cult any religion that separates itself from the rest of society?

Or is a cult one of the many dictionary definitions:

www.google.com/search?num=100&hl=en&defl=en&q=define:cult&sa=X&oi=glossary_definition&ct=title

To me, the word cult has been used to describe far too many people's beliefs, especially by Pat Robertson types who treat Buddhism as a cult.

[technocrat]

A cult is basically something "other people" are. It's a word they use to describe non-popular, small-potatoes religions few people believe in and lack social support. Major religions are pretty much like cults, except they are socially acceptable.

[Kizzume]

I think that parallels my general feeling about it.

It's too bad it gets so overused by Robertson types...

I hear many people refer to Scientology as a cult, whether it's people that are religious or not.