Note that the term cult is a worst argument in the world (guilt by association). The neutral term is NRM. Thus to classify something as a cult one should first tick off the “religious” check mark, which requires spirituality, a rather nebulous concept:
Spirituality is the concept of an ultimate or an alleged immaterial reality; an inner path enabling a person to discover the essence of his/her being; or the “deepest values and meanings by which people live.
If you define cult as an NRM with negative connotations, then you have to agree on what those negatives are, not an easy task.
“NRM” is a term in the sociology of religion. There are many groups that are often thought of as “cultish” in the ordinary-language sense that are not particularly spiritual. Multi-level marketing groups and large group awareness training come to mind.
Note that the term cult is a worst argument in the world (guilt by association). The neutral term is NRM. Thus to classify something as a cult one should first tick off the “religious” check mark, which requires spirituality, a rather nebulous concept:
If you define cult as an NRM with negative connotations, then you have to agree on what those negatives are, not an easy task.
“NRM” is a term in the sociology of religion. There are many groups that are often thought of as “cultish” in the ordinary-language sense that are not particularly spiritual. Multi-level marketing groups and large group awareness training come to mind.