"TRUTH IS, PATHS ARE MANY"
In recent times, there has been so much controversy about the word "Cult" that it is time to take a mature look at this sometimes highly emotional concept. This is the way to "under"standing. Naturally, if we are always "over"standing we can never truly "under"stand. Ironically, the dictionary defines "cult" as coming from the Latin cultus "care, culture" and the French colere "to cultivate." Umm! This is interesting. So, what is wrong with culture and caring? Websters goes on to define cult as "Great devotion to some person, idea, or thing." This, of course, could apply to many areas of one's life from sports figures to entertainers and certainly to any intense relationship such as in marriage. With some measure of temperance, here we find nothing objectionable. Webster goes on: "A system of worship of a deity; as, the cult of Apollo." There are, of course, many systems of worship or religions. This is a fact, but we are getting closer to the problem. A cult, in this sense, is sometimes defined as "small non-mainstream religious group." Unfortunately, "non-mainstream" often gives licence to the seeds of prejudice. This, of course, can be solved through exposure and understanding. "Mainstream" is, obviously, a relative term. In primarily Hindu India, for example, Christianity is a non-mainstream religious group or, by definition, a cult–while in America, a predominately Christian nation, Hinduism may be viewed as cult.
Presently, the major problem that seems to provoke the highest emotion over the word Cult is when the intense system of worship is directed towards one religious figure to the exclusion of all others. The cult of David Koresh is one of the most recent examples of this phenomenon but certainly not the only example. Certainly there nothing intrinsically wrong with having strong devotion towards any religion or religious figure. Such devotion can bring great unity and good works, however the problem and controversy inevitably arises when that figure claims (or the claim is made by the followers) in the exclusivity of that figure.
Christianity, for example, with its doctrine of the exclusivity of Jesus and the Bible is by definition a cult that has exhibited both positive and negative results. Devotees of Sai Baba, a Hindu Guru, also classify as a cult with many positive good works as well as negative aspects concerning his unique God-incarnate status. Many Hare Krishnas also fall into potentially dangerous cultism claiming Krishna to be "the Supreme" as do the Muslims who feel all should pray only to Allah.
The bottom line is that we all need to cultivate a greater understanding of not only those around us but also of the nature of Spiritually. This is caring. One's spiritual/religious life should be cause for celebration.This is a positive CULTural experience. We should enjoy our chosen spiritual/religious path while understanding that there are other paths that may be equally valid and influential in the lives of our fellow human beings. The alternative of trying to establish a one world religion, prophet and scripture only results in mis-understanding and the creation of a CULT in the very worse sense of the word, and, unfortunately, the only sense of which many are aware.
Seek unity in diversity; not in sameness [fundamentalism]; nor in blindness [new-age universalism].