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Originally Posted by North Jersey Baptist  Michael, remember what I said earlier. Terminology changes. Webster's dictionary does not take that into account. Some words become idiomatic over time. I think that is the case with the word "cult." |
Actually, Merriam-Webster does take into account usage. They have been descriptive rather than prescriptive for some time. In any case, my edition of Webster's has "3: a religion regarded as unorthodox or spurious; also: its body of adherents." Keep in mind that Webster's lists the definitions chronologically in order of first recorded use.
I tend to avoid the word altogether. "Heretical" or "apostate" are much better alternatives, although the frightening and controlling connotations of "cult" is lost.