The term "cult" is used so loosely today and people will deem any group, system or ideology they disagree with as a cult, but in reality a cult has

to meet a set of very specific characteristics. How would you rightly and objectively define a cult and what main characteristics would you ascribe to it? I didn't know what group to put this under, so I just chose culture and race. In the word Culture is cult. CULTure is your operating system and when you go visit another culture, what do you feel? Culture shock, because it's different from the culture you're in. You see, that is using cult loosely and incorrectly.

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JimboSaturn · 56-60, M

Its a bit of a spectrum in my opinion. But yes I do think it is used loosely. I think the increased usage is due to the polarization of our society is causing extremes that behave in cult like ways.

SW-User

@JimboSaturn In a loose manner, one could make the case that society itself is a cult. Think about it, from cradle to grave we are given an official version of reality by the school system that we are told not to question and if we do, we are laughed at, mocked, marginalized and ostracized. We then spend our lives stressed, depressed and anxious over chasing what we are told is the most valuable thing - green paper, monopoly money, fiat currency (it's all a game). Some worship it and crush others to get it, in order to achieve a false sense of happiness, when it's a complete delusion. Go to school, get married, walk on the pavement, pay taxes, watch TV, die. - Now repeat after me, I am free. The elite, as the greatest cult, has in a sense given the public its mind, to vote for their politicians, buy their products, listen to their music, watch their movies, sacrificing their souls at the altar of materialism. The governments are given rights that regular citizens don't have, like stealing money from others using coercion and violence and calling it "taxes". If you question it or go against it, you are held at gunpoint and sent to jail. Can't get much more cultic than that, right? I could go on, but you get the point.

JimboSaturn · 56-60, M

@SW-User I get your point. You could argue that a cult is just another different control group from society. I think there are other elements to a cult but your idea is thought provoking.