What differentiates a religion from a cult?

How new (or old) they are , because All religions were cults when they first got started.

When people are using the word "cult" today they are using a bogus definition for this word that was deliberately introduced as a "redefinition" into the English language by the CIA and other covert government operations about 50 years ago to create fear and insecurity in populations (people) about religion , and in particular new religions.

So people can now attack religions using this derogatory bogus definition and accuse them of being "cults" which everyone now considers means some version of weird and crazy from one of the now bogus added "definitions" like :

"- a quasi-religious group, often living in a colony, with a charismatic leader who indoctrinates members with unorthodox or extremist views, practices, or beliefs . " ( One of several different definitions of the word CULT from an English Dictionary)

If you look at the other definitions (use) of this word you will see that all religions were "some sort of cult" when they first got started. Because the root of the word CULT comes from the concept to CULTIVATE.

"ORIGIN of the word CULT : early 17th cent. (originally denoting homage paid to a divinity): from French culte or Latin cultus ‘worship,’ from cult- ‘inhabited, cultivated, worshiped,’ from the verb colere. "

So the only real difference between a cult and a religion is really just how long it's been around !

Religions typically claim a larger number of adherents than cults. However, every religion began as a cult.

First - there are two definitions of "cult." When scholars talk about the "cult of Demeter" or the "cult of Zeus Dodana" they are talking about a specific set of religious practices that exist within a wider religion. For example, the ancient Greeks worshiped the Olympian deities. But there was a smaller group of Greeks who worshiped Demeter with special services at a shrine in Eleusis. So, scholars will talk about the "cult" of Demeter at Eleusis.

But when you hear the word "cult" described in a negative connotation, such as "She joined a cult," that is something completely different. A cult, in that sense, is an organization (religious or otherwise) in which members are "brainwashed" by cutting off contact with non-members (including immediate and extended family), ensuring that members are seldom (if ever) left alone, members are encouraged to pass all decisions through other cult members, the daily schedule of members is filled with cult activities, members are denied access to non-cult materials such as newspapers or magazines, etc.

At its ideal best, a religion allows diversity of thought among its members. A cult requires strict adherence to certain prescribed beliefs.It also tends to be sectarian, in that it believes it holds a monopoly on ultimate truth. Sadly, many, many religions do not actually live up to this ideal.

A religion is a cult that became successful.

Shunning

in Atheism all religions are cults except theirs

Most religionists can spell cult.

In brief, control. Please read the very informative article cited below for more details.

Men cannot say they do not know about God. From the beginning of the world, men could see what God is like through the things He has made. This shows His power that lasts forever. It shows that He is God. (Romans 1:20)

MARANATHA! Come, Lord Jesus, COME!

Governmental recognition.