What differentiates a cult from a religion? [closed]

Question

Say for example scientology from hinduism?

What are the hallmarks of a cult that sets it aside from a religion?

@stoicfury: maybe, wikipedia says that in the sociology of religion the term 'new religious movement (NRM)' is preferred as the word 'cult' has become overly pejorative. I think it goes deeper than that, though. In the same way, a man in the pub talks 'philosophy', is not the same as Descarte talking philosophy.
Assuming the distinction that we're looking for is that a cult tends to harm the members for the benefit of the leaders. Typically, people who have come out of cults talk about secrecy, a requirement to leave your old life (and family, and friends etc) outside the cult. There's often a monetary requirement, and/or the cult considers all members' possessions as belonging to the leaders (or sometimes the group). There's not enough there to make an answer, but this may prompt some more discussion.
@Ryno: A good clarification. But, I'm also thinking about the mystery cults in ancient Greece, would the one Pythagoras led count as one?
I don't know the details of Pythagoras's "cult" (or otherwise) - but the secrecy thing seems to fit with anything called a "mystery" cult :)

daniel · Answer 1 · 2012-12-07 13:19:59Z

CULT:

1.A system of religious veneration and devotion directed toward a particular figure or object.

2.A relatively small group of people having religious beliefs or practices regarded by others as strange or sinister.

RELIGION:

1.The belief in and worship of a superhuman controlling power, esp. a personal God or gods.

2.Details of belief as taught or discussed.

Well, that's pretty self explanatory; a cult is a type of religion (a cult IS a religion), but a religion does not necessarily have to be a cult.

i.e... A square IS a rectangle; however, a rectangle does not have to be a square.

closed as off topic by Michael Dorfman, Rex Kerr, iphigenie, Joseph Weissman♦ Dec 7 '12 at 15:20