Top Sift for Nov 23rd, 2009

What is a cult? The definition is difficult and elusive. It's nigh impossible to define just what is a cult without encompassing all organized religion. Many of us may in fact subscribe to that particular definition, but for the purposes of this Sift Channel we'll loosely use the following: "a quasi-religious group, often living in a colony, with a charismatic leader who indoctrinates members with unorthodox or extremist views, practices or beliefs"- Webster's New World College Dictionary. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cult for more information.