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cult. : This definition of a cult is wrong and ridiculous. Just because people use the word incorrectly does not mean the definition should be changed. I’m referring to this definition as considered to be “modern”: “In modern English, cult is usually a pejorative term for a social group that is defined by its unusual religious, spiritual, or philosophical beliefs and rituals, or its common interest in a particular personality, object, or goal.” So an unusual religious belief or common interest in a particular person or goal is a cult!? A social group with Philosophical beliefs towards a goal or a person is a cult !? You could technical say anyone that believes in anything or as a goal in anything is in a cult. It makes no since. This definition of a cult is incorrect and invalid. 136.53.7.190 (talk) 20:00, 30 November 2022 (UTC)Reply[reply]

Well, if all you read is the first sentence of a Wikipedia article, of course it's going to sound a bit stupid. NinjaRobotPirate (talk) 03:53, 1 December 2022 (UTC)Reply[reply]

Regardless of any complete definition of a "cult", mainly it seems in the political sense, one quality seems to always apply universally yet simplistically: "Any person or group member who is unwilling or unable to hold their leader accountable" 2601:6C3:100:4CC0:DDE7:5074:1E92:BCB1 (talk) 03:38, 19 July 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]

Additionally, "brainwashing" is often the basis for the use of "unable" above. JC 2601:6C3:100:4CC0:DDE7:5074:1E92:BCB1 (talk) 03:43, 19 July 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]

The definition of "cult" being used there is far too loose for an article explicitly about cults - especially when the authors in question are an American culture journalist and Amir Taheri who is well known for writing fabrications. Simonm223 (talk) 17:38, 7 July 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]

The sources are not exactly scholarly. Seems like a reasonable removal of poorly-sourced content. Cambial — foliar❧ 17:44, 7 July 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]

An article about cults as a broad concept is not a current events article. We should be striving for high-quality sources. Not people with a history of making things up. Simonm223 (talk) 17:46, 7 July 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]

There are plenty of sources. What is "The definition of "cult" being used there is far too loose for an article explicitly about cults" supposed to mean? It seems a circular, or knot-like argument. The article could certainly do with more untangling of the various meanings of the word. At the moment the article unquestioningly accepts the modern Anglophone one used by "culture journalists" and the general public, and no-one else much. Johnbod (talk) 03:14, 8 July 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]

Hey can you teach me about this cult 103.14.89.239 (talk) 09:05, 27 September 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]

Defining a cult as "relatively small" is an opinion. It would appear this article is not the place to come for a definition. I do not believe that statement needs clarification. Traumatic (talk) 01:39, 18 August 2023 (UTC)Reply[reply]