Reply #27: 1. Isolation from society at large. 2. Total control of members.

[philosophie_en_rose]

I do think that there's a difference between a cult and a religion, in the sense that a cult isolates its members and brings them into total control. This is more than moral condemnation or shunning. It's extreme psychological or physical isolation and control.

For instance, the Branch Davidians lived on an isolated compound. It's members were not really there for a religious retreat that they could leave at any time. Same with Fundamentalist Mormons. It's not a cult just because of polygamy. It's a cult because it's isolating and controlling with almost no way out.

Most religions have extreme branches. I'd say that the parts of a religion that are extreme and that police individual freedom are cults. This includes situations where a church leader tells has total control over its members (Ex: An officious church leader controls who can marry whom) or when the religious system gives more than moral authority over its members. (Ex: If Scientology sends its "ethics" people to punish its members, dig through their houses, & put people in Scientology jails).

I can't write enough about the dangers of cults, but I think it's also important to recognize that people can have spiritual beliefs or participate in religious groups without being brainwashed or controlled. There is a distinction between a religion and a cult, even though there is a lot of overlap.