In P.I.E.Bonnewitz book "Real Magic" (later editions) has a "is it a cult" test. The most telling trait is what he calls "the creepy factor", however mandatory conformity is always a big hint.

I was told, long ago, that if the founder of the group is alive, it's a cult. If he's dead, its a religion.a religious scholar told me that the basic Christian belief is that if the religion is not based on the gospel, the first 5 books of the bible, then it is a cult. (Think Mormons, Scientologists, Unification Church...et, al.)

I have a slightly broader definition of a cult. If a religion teaches you that you are morally superior to other people just from believing in a structured set of beliefs, then you belong to a cult. I have often been accused of belonging to a cult by Traditional Christians simply because my New Thought beliefs aren't in line with their specific denominational teachings. Ironic, I know, but irony is usually lost on those folks. #MAGA. (also ironic).

Now days I don't really care. I'm in here and happy.

There are no lines between any belief system from atheism to theism

I rather agree with Sassygirl3869. Cults depend on a charismatic central figure in the form of an actual living person (not just a dead figure-head), who commands out-sized authority and uses it to isolate members away from their other social connections. That is not all religion. BUT, it IS quite a few offshoots of Christianity that claim to be mainstream Christianity. Bottom line for me is, all religions deal in fantasy and wishful thinking. Cults are, additionally, led by individuals severely lacking in accountability to others. Pope? Head of the Mormon church? I think they get accused by other Jesus advocates as being a cult in large part because of that very form of unquestioned leadership. It's a judgment call to some extent. We could accuse many Protestant splinter groups of the same thing and might have a point.

same delusional lot. all with an over active front right lobe. medication may help !

Cults will isolate people from their friends and families to brainwash them. Cults are worse. Cults also take possessions and money from converts and stuff them their own coffers. The only bible thumper I personally know is my nurse who keeps a professional distance. Her husband is a Baptist preacher and I've never met him or plan to.

I think that one indicator would be that people start making irrational decisions that they would not normally make, based on the direction of the cult leader.

There is no difference between bible thumpers and cults. Religions are the most followed cults in the world. I find it so amazing that normally intelligent people can accept and follow, become ensnared and blinded by such mindless teachings. Why are they so blind ? Neither the realist nor the bible thumper is open to any deciding argument, so there is no point in pursuing the subject.

yes

I admit I have to smile at those who are fanatical or really passionate about getting me to believe with them . I have a lot of patience because I am secure in my own beliefs. And often I learn something from them . Learning about others faiths and practices is fine with me.

Love the fact that so many here say exactly what I think too: Cult = small unpopular religion. Religion = large popular cult. Before Christianity became a theologised religion it was a Jesus Cult, and there various versions of it. They all start off the same way.

It's all a cult at some level. It just comes in many degrees of crazy.

To me there is no line, all religions are cults.

You don't. Christianity is a cult of human sacrifice.

They are all and the same at the lowest denominator. Why waste time in categories, sub divisions and classifications.

Never run at the mill all those moving parts are dangerous. There are blowhards and then there are fanatics the blowhards are usually wimps.

its a cult when it stops them from living a normal life.

Bible thumper person who lives with his kids and wife, works a job, has hobbies.

As opposed to a cult person who lives in some group home with non-relatives and spends hours a day chanting and growing kale.

I don't usually treat bible thumpers differently than anyone else. I just don't have the energy to be mean to people.

To be honest, I think "regular" religious people are more dangerous to society at large.

To me, ALL religions are cults. Some have just been around longer, and become more mainstream than others. They're all cults nonetheless.