Definition

Noun: 1. A system of religious beliefs and rituals centered around a specific figure, object, or principle: A "religious cult" is a group or movement characterized by its devotion to a particular deity, person, or set of ideas, often with unique practices and a distinct social structure separate from mainstream religious traditions.

Usage

• The term "religious cult" is used to describe a group with a cohesive belief system and ritual practices that may be novel or exist on the margins of established religions.
• It can have a neutral, academic meaning but often carries a negative connotation in common usage, implying excessive control by a charismatic leader or practices considered deviant by societal norms.
• In academic contexts (like religious studies or sociology), the term is often used descriptively, while terms like "new religious movement" may be preferred to avoid bias.

Examples

• Academic/Descriptive:
• Common Usage (with negative connotation):
• Historical Context:

Advanced Usage

• "to be devoted to a cultus": This formal phrase, often found in academic or historical texts, means to be dedicated to the system of ritual worship of a specific deity or sacred object. It is a more technical synonym for being part of a religious cult.
  • The temple priests were entirely devoted to the cultus of the sun god.

Variants and Related Words

• Cult (noun): A shorter, more common form that can refer to a religious cult, a fashionable trend, or intense admiration for a person or thing. Context determines the meaning.
  • There's a cult following for that old film. (secular admiration)
  • He joined a mysterious cult. (likely a religious cult)
• Cultic (adjective): Relating to or characteristic of a cult.
  • The group's cultic practices were unfamiliar to outsiders.
• Cultish (adjective): Resembling or suggestive of a cult, especially in demanding excessive devotion.
  • The company was criticized for its cultish corporate culture.

Synonyms

• Sect: A subgroup of a larger religion, often with differing beliefs. (Can be less pejorative than "cult").
• New Religious Movement (NRM): A modern, scholarly term often used to describe groups that might be called cults in popular language, aiming for neutrality.
• Denomination: A recognized branch of a larger religion (e.g., Baptist, Methodist within Christianity). This typically lacks the negative connotations of "cult."

Related Phrases

• Cult leader: The charismatic individual who leads or founded the religious cult.
  • The cult leader demanded absolute obedience from his followers.
• Cult following: A group of dedicated fans or adherents. This phrase is most often used in a secular context (e.g., for films, music).
  • The movie didn't do well initially but later gained a cult following.

Noun

1. a system of religious beliefs and rituals
   • devoted to the cultus of the Blessed Virgin