Paper describing cults.

The term "cult" has been interpreted in many ways through the centuries. Customarily, the loose definition of a cult "refers to any form of worship or ritual observance, or even to a group of people pursuing common goals" (Juergensmeyer, P. 6). Established groups such as Christians, Mormons, Quakers, and Catholics were once viewed as cults, but are now recognized as organized religions. Most cults, regardless of size and history, deal with religious beliefs and practices, pursue …

…the soul and the will is at the core of each membership. While some cults dissolve by imploding upon themselves, others stay in operation for years, even decades, or they transform from one entity into another, only switching names and leaders, but not ideals or missions. This is what makes today's cults so dangerous - in some form they will most likely exist in the future, preying on the young, the impressionable and the vulnerable.