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There a things that separate a cult from a religion. Even if you think all religions are deluded, cults have their own harmful traits:
*Not all the information is available to new members. You have to be in the highest circles to learn all their core teachings. Christianity, Judaism, Islam, all let you read all of the material. They may even give you copies for free. There aren't hidden texts that are part of the religions.
*They try to get new members to sever ties with people outside the movement, even family. Not in a "we should live like this" way, but breaking all contact, not associating, etc. They don't want people to be talked out of it by people who care about them.
*Heavy pressure and attacks against people who leave. Not just not associating with those people, but actively making statements or threats against them. In religions, you might not hang out with church families as much if you leave, but it's your decision. In very few cases will you be labeled as evil.
*Taking advantage of members, and using them to gain money. No, not just asking for donations or general sacrifice for God or whatever, but required contributions to the movement. Churches need money to survive, but they don't fleece the members for all they're got. It's voluntary and it's still good if you give money to feed the homeless instead of the building fund.
In the case of Scientology, they rely on secrecy and heavy litigation to protect themselves. They come down hard on anyone who opposes them, rather than trying to show why they are the right way to go. Using all these definitions, a lot of other movements could be cults, like Mormons, Christian Science (the "no medicine" people,) radical Islam, etc. but that's a whole other can of worms.
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