• Jakeroxs@sh.itjust.works
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      2 days ago

      Right, immediately made me think of TempleOS, where were the articles then claiming people are losing loved ones to programming fueled spiritual fantasies.

        • chaogomu@lemmy.world
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          2 days ago

          Is the leader alive or not? Alive is likely a cult, dead is usually religion.

          The next question is how isolated from friends and family or society at large are the members. More isolated is more likely to be a cult.

          Other than that, there’s not much difference.

          The usual setup is a cult is formed and then the second or third leader opens things up a bit and transitions it into just another religion… But sometimes a cult can be born from a religion as a small group breaks off to follow a charismatic leader.