From Wikipedia.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cult
In the
sociological classifications of religious movements in English, a
cult is a
religious or
social group with
socially deviant or
novel beliefs and practices.
[1] However, whether any particular group's beliefs and practices are sufficiently deviant or novel is often unclear, thus making a precise definition problematic.
[2][3] In the English speaking world, the word often carries derogatory connotations, but in other European languages, it is used as English-speakers use the word, "religion," sometimes causing confusion for English-speakers reading material translated from other languages.
[4][5] The word "cult" has always been controversial because it is (in a
pejorative sense) considered a subjective term, used as an
ad hominem attack against groups with differing doctrines or practices, which lacks a clear or consistent definition.
[6][7]
Beginning in the 1930s, cults became the object of
sociological study in the context of the study of religious behavior.
[8] Certain groups have been labelled as cults and have been opposed by the
Christian countercult movement for their
unorthodox beliefs. Since the 1970s, some groups have been opposed by the
anti-cult movement, partly motivated in reaction to acts of violence committed by members of some groups. Some of the claims by the anti-cult movement have been disputed by other scholars and by the news media, leading to further controversy. Public and governmental reactions to the cult issue have also been a source of controversy.
A
religion is an organized collection of
beliefs,
cultural systems, and
world views that relate
humanity to an order of existence.
[note 1] Many religions have
narratives,
symbols, and
sacred histories that aim to explain the
meaning of life, the
origin of life, or the
Universe. From their beliefs about the
cosmos and
human nature, people may derive
morality,
ethics,
religious laws or a preferred
lifestyle.
Many religions may have organized
behaviors,
clergy, a definition of what constitutes adherence or membership,
holy places, and
scriptures. The practice of a religion may include
rituals,
sermons, commemoration or veneration (of a
deity,
gods, or
goddesses),
sacrifices,
festivals,
feasts,
trances,
initiations,
funerary services,
matrimonial services,
meditation,
prayer,
music,
art,
dance,
public service, or other aspects of human culture. Religions may also contain
mythology.
[1]
The word
religion is sometimes used interchangeably with
faith or
set of duties;
[2] however, in the words of
Émile Durkheim, religion differs from private belief in that it is "something eminently social".
[3] A global 2012 poll reports 59% of the world's population as "religious" and 23% as
not religious, including 13% who are
atheists, with a 9% decrease in religious belief from 2005.
[4] However, their 2015 poll found that only 22% of the world population is not religious and only 11% were "convinced atheists".
[5] On average, women are "more religious" than men.
[6] Some people follow multiple religions or multiple religious principles at the same time, regardless of whether or not the religious principles they follow traditionally allow for
syncretism.
[7][8][9]
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religion
From what I gather cults are just less popular religions.
