A religious group, usually small, whose practices and beliefs are viewed by the majority as bizarre and abnormal. Cults hold an inordinate amount of control over their members, are usually led by a charismatic leader, and often have a strict set of rules which severely limits members and what they can do with their lives or how they are allowed to spend their time.

a religious group which promotes worship of a human leader and devotion of one's life to a specific purpose.
Some have members practice certain rituals or follow a set of principle rules. The group usually believes its way is the only correct way to live life, and all non-members are doomed to some horrible fate if they cannot be persuaded to join.

A group, often times though not always religious or spiritual in nature, that is led by a single or small group of leader(s).

Members are often recruited or by some means persuaded to join, rarely if ever knowing how destructive and harmful a cult can be -- rarely knowing that it IS a cult. Though they usual come off as being generous, caring and in the best interests of their members, cults are inherently based on furthering the desires of cult leaders.

Cult leaders commonly use thought reform or "brainwashing", in conjunction with other methods, to slowly and deliberately reel in more control of said members. In many cases, members may eventually forsake their friends and family (non-members are viewed as "wrong" or "bad") and give up their careers, homes and/or money to the leader.

A group of religious dudes, that want you to cut off your balls.

Something you don't know you're in till the last ten minutes

A "religion" usually started by some old guy as an excuse to bang teenage runaway girls he gets to join his "alternative-religion." All rituals somehow involve worship of said old guy's penis.

1. A religious organization that excercises excessive control over its members.

2. A small or unconventional religion

film or book that has a large non mainstream following over a long period of time