I've personally always seen cults as organizations that you cannot willingly leave or have a great cost for doing so. Most Christians can leave anytime they wish with no penalty.
You can stop doing anything anytime you want. That doesn't mean you'll be free from consequences, a lesson the free speech absolutists conveniently overlook.
Do not underestimate the power of social pressure. It's the current that moves culture.
I've switched churches a dozen times in my life, and even gone long periods without going to any. No one said anything outside of what would be expected in any community. Scientology for example has some control of your finances, family, and blackmail on you. So they can't really dip out.
I've personally always seen cults as organizations that you cannot willingly leave or have a great cost for doing so. Most Christians can leave anytime they wish with no penalty.
You can stop doing anything anytime you want. That doesn't mean you'll be free from consequences, a lesson the free speech absolutists conveniently overlook.
Do not underestimate the power of social pressure. It's the current that moves culture.
I've switched churches a dozen times in my life, and even gone long periods without going to any. No one said anything outside of what would be expected in any community. Scientology for example has some control of your finances, family, and blackmail on you. So they can't really dip out.