Here is the text that I attempted to link to:
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Definitions of cult on the Web:

adherents of an exclusive system of religious beliefs and practices
fad: an interest followed with exaggerated zeal; "he always follows the latest fads"; "it was all the rage that season"
a system of religious beliefs and rituals; "devoted to the cultus of the Blessed Virgin"
wordnet.princeton.edu/perl/webwn

In religion and sociology, a cult is a group of people (often a new religious movement) devoted to beliefs and goals which may be contradictory to those held by the majority of society. Its marginal status may come about either due to its novel belief system or due to idiosyncratic practices that cause the surrounding culture to regard it as far outside the mainstream.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cult

In traditional usage, the cult of a religion, quite apart from its sacred writings ("scriptures"), its theology or myths, or the personal faith of its believers, is the totality of external religious practice and observance, the neglect of which is the definition of impiety. Cult is literally the "care" owed to the god and the shrine. ...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cult_(religion)

A religious group that follows a particular theological system. In the context of Christianity, and in particular, CARM, it is a group that uses the Bible but distorts the doctrines that affect salvation sufficiently to cause salvation to be unattainable. A few examples of cults are Mormonism, Jehovah's Witnesses, Christian Science, Christadelphians, Unity, Religious Science, The Way International, and the Moonies. (See also Cults)
www.carm.org/dictionary/dic_c-d.htm

(cult) (kult) a system of treating disease based on some special and unscientific theory of disease causation.
www.merckmedicus.com/pp/us/hcp/thcp_dorlands_content.jsp

Veneration ( or honoring ) of a saint expressed in public acts, local or universal, and formally approved by the Pope.
www.ichrusa.com/saintsalive/glossary.htm

A religious group which denies the essential doctrines of Christianity. The term is usually reserved for groups founded after 1750.
www.dtl.org/trinity/misc/glossary.htm

A following of people.
www.britishcouncil.org/ukinfocus-music-glossary.htm

(noun) often attributive [French & Latin; French culte, from Latin cultus care, adoration, from colere to cultivate -- more at WHEEL]; First appeared 1617 1 : formal religious veneration : WORSHIP 2 : a system of religious beliefs and ritual; also : its body of adherents 3 : a religion regarded as unorthodox or spurious; also : its body of adherents 4 : a system for the cure of disease based on dogma set forth by its promulgator <health ~s> 5 a : great devotion to a person, idea, object ...
www.contecult.com/glossary.htm

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My point in posting this is that there are so many definitions, we are never going to be able to agree on one here. I think that this thread has some good information in it, and I would rather not have to close the thread. For now I am leaving it open in hopes that it isn't going to be a debate from here on out, and there won't be any splitting hairs on definitions.

Some definitions of cults consist of basically any organization that disagrees with the point of view of whoever is calling the other group a cult. Some definitions consider all religions to be cults, not necessarily implying any disrespect or loss of legitimacy. I belong to a church that some groups claim is a cult because they disagree with my beliefs. However, it is a church that is legally recognized as such by governments all over the world, and also recognized for doing many good works. I am not offended by definitions as long as they are recognized for what they are and are not used to attach a negative label where it is not deserved.

There are cults that are harmful, and that take over their members' lives. The group that Rhapsody originally asked about may or may not fall into that category. I have not done my homework on that one. If what we are interested in is the potential for a group to negatively impact members' lives, let's just say that and look at the effects of that group on its believers and the community. If someone has belonged to a group that they consider to be a cult, and wants to discuss their experiences, that would also be fine. We don't need to split hairs on other churches and religions and definitions that could be viewed any number of ways and may risk hard feelings on this forum.

Thanks to all for understanding. Whether or not this discussion can continue is up to all of you.

Rapunzel