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1. Dictionary

   cult

   /kʌlt/

   noun

   • 1. a system of religious veneration and devotion directed towards a particular figure or object: "the cult of St Olaf"
   • ▪ a relatively small group of people having religious beliefs or practices regarded by others as strange or as imposing excessive control over members: "a network of Satan-worshipping cults" Similar sectreligious groupdenominationreligious orderchurchfaithfaith communitybeliefpersuasionaffiliationmovementgroupbodyfactionclique
   • ▪ a misplaced or excessive admiration for a particular thing: "the cult of the pursuit of money as an end in itself" Similar obsession withfixation onmania forpassion foridolization ofadmiration fordevotion toworship ofveneration ofreverence for
   • 2. a person or thing that is popular or fashionable among a particular group or section of society: "the series has become a bit of a cult in the UK" Similar crazefashionfadvogueinformal:thing

   Word Origin early 17th century (originally denoting homage paid to a divinity): from French culte or Latin cultus ‘worship’, from cult- ‘inhabited, cultivated, worshipped’, from the verb colere.

   Derivatives

   • 1. cultic adjective
   • 2. cultism noun
   • 3. cultist noun

   Scrabble Points: 6

   • C

     3

   • U

     1

   • L

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   • T

     1

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   More definitions, origin and scrabble points

2. People also ask

   Do cults have a leader?

   • Most people can agree that cults have a leader. And the leader (or group of people who serve as leaders) is responsible for the rules that guide the members. According to the Cult Education Institute, there are specific warning signs to look out for when considering whether a group might be a cult.

   What Is a Cult? 10 Warning Signs - Verywell Mind

   www.verywellmind.com/what-is-a-cult-5078234

   See all results for this question

   What makes a group a cult?

   • Destructive individuals and cults use deception and undue influence to make people dependent and obedient. A group should not be considered a cult merely because of its unorthodox beliefs. It is typically authoritarian, headed by a person or group of people with near complete control of followers.

   Understanding Cults: The Basics | Psychology Today

   www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/freedom-mind/202106/understanding-cults-the-basics

   See all results for this question

   What is a cult?

   • The term cult is often applied to a religious movement that exists in some degree of tension with the dominant religious or cultural inclination of a society. In recent years the word cult has been most commonly used as a pejorative term for a religious group that falls outside the mainstream and, by implication, engages in questionable activities.

   Cult | Definition, History, & Facts | Britannica

   www.britannica.com/topic/cult

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   When did cults start?

   • From the 1960s onward, a number of new cults developed in the United States and attracted large numbers of worshippers. The actions of these cultists, who sometimes isolated themselves from their families and oriented their lives fully around the cult, triggered widespread alarm.

   Cult | Definition, History, & Facts | Britannica

   www.britannica.com/topic/cult

   See all results for this question

   How do cults work?

   • Cults are usually headed by a powerful leader who isolates members from the rest of society. Some individuals who join cults remain lifelong members. Others break free and share how it felt to be brainwashed by a charismatic leader. But there are also some individuals who leave a cult and report that their experience was positive.

   What Is a Cult? 10 Warning Signs - Verywell Mind

   www.verywellmind.com/what-is-a-cult-5078234

   See all results for this question

   What are the characteristics of a cult?

   • Third, cults often employ a rigid and authoritarian structure. The leader’s decisions are absolute, and questioning or dissent is not tolerated. This structure ensures that the leader’s authority remains unchallenged and that members conform to the group’s norms and expectations.

   Week 1 - Understanding Cults and Coercive Control

   internationalcultawareness.org/week-1-understanding-cults/

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3. www.verywellmind.com › what-is-a-cult-5078234What Is a Cult? 10 Warning Signs - Verywell Mind

   www.verywellmind.com › what-is-a-cult-5078234

   • Cached

   Nov 13, 2023 · A cult is an organized group whose purpose is to dominate cult members through psychological manipulation and pressure strategies. Cults are usually headed by a powerful leader who isolates members from the rest of society. Some individuals who join cults remain lifelong members.

4. en.wikipedia.org › wiki › CultCult - Wikipedia

   en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Cult

   • Cached

   Cult is a lay term for a group perceived as requiring unwavering devotion to a set of beliefs and practices which are considered deviant outside the norms of society. Such groups are typically perceived as being led by a charismatic leader who tightly controls its members.

5. www.britannica.com › topic › cultCult | Definition, History, & Facts | Britannica

   www.britannica.com › topic › cult

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   Sep 26, 2024 · A cult is usually a small group devoted to a person, idea, or philosophy, often in tension with the dominant society. Learn about the different types, characteristics, and controversies of cults in history and modern times.

6. Videos

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     6:27

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     Why do people join cults? - Janja Lalich

     12 Jun 2017

     5.5M views

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     9:05

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     What Makes Something a "Cult"?

     16 May 2018

     77.5K views

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     17:00

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     What Are Cults?

     25 Jul 2020

     304.1K views

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7. www.masterclass.com › articles › what-is-a-cultWhat Is a Cult? 4 Types of Cults and Common Characteristics

   www.masterclass.com › articles › what-is-a-cult

   • Cached

   Nov 10, 2022 · Cults have mystified and even terrified outsiders for decades upon decades. These shadowy and isolated organizations have left a long string of crimes in their wake. Learn more about what a cult is and how to spot one.

8. www.psychologytoday.com › us › blogUnderstanding Cults: The Basics - Psychology Today

   www.psychologytoday.com › us › blog

   • Cached

   Jun 5, 2021 · A cult is an authoritarian group that uses deception and undue influence to control its members and disrupt their authentic identity. Learn how cults recruit, manipulate, and cause lasting harm, and how to prevent and recover from their influence.

9. internationalcultawareness.org › week-1Week 1 - Understanding Cults and Coercive Control

   internationalcultawareness.org › week-1

   • Cached

   In simple terms, a cult is a group that holds extreme or unconventional beliefs, led by a charismatic leader who demands unwavering loyalty from its members. This post explores the defining characteristics of cults, the psychological manipulation they employ, the impact on members, and how to recognize them.

10. theconversation.com › what-is-a-cult-165512What is a cult? - The Conversation

    theconversation.com › what-is-a-cult-165512

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    Aug 5, 2021 · Scholars sometimes use the term “cult” to describe groups that have distinctive beliefs and high levels of commitment. The problem is the popular use of the word is often used...