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How often do we use the words "cult" or "iconic" in relation to celebrities, movies or TV shows, sports teams, brands or hobbies? Perhaps too often. But does this mean that the object of our admiration and worship has all the signs of a real cult? Some will laugh and say no. Someone will think and say: "Perhaps..."

Recently, a viral thread has appeared in the AskReddit community, dedicated to various people and phenomena in our lives that have all the signs of a cult, while not actually being a cult. So here's a selection of the most interesting points in this list, carefully collected by Bored Panda.

#1

26 Organizations In Modern Society That Should Be Called Cults Despite Formally Not Called One, According To Folks Online The dudes with the "toxic masculinity" type of views and opinions.

Bro, being disrespectful to women doesn't make you an alpha male, it makes you an a*****e.

SmackEh , Andrew Nevins Report

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Kevin the Manager
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I feel like the guy in the photo is not representative of the alpha male you refer to. Maybe you know him, though.

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#3

26 Organizations In Modern Society That Should Be Called Cults Despite Formally Not Called One, According To Folks Online elon musk fanboys who meat ride everything he says

111lilac , JD Lasica Report

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David H
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ironically until just 2 years ago all his fanboys were on the left, now its mostly on the right.

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Perhaps the closest thing to a real cult today are various brands which create a real obsession among loyal fans. Don't you think, for example, all those queues of thousands on the eve of the launch of a popular smartphone brand resemble devout adherents of some religion? And a charismatic corporate CEO presenting a new product to exalted fans can easily pass for a prophet or a religious leader...

#4

26 Organizations In Modern Society That Should Be Called Cults Despite Formally Not Called One, According To Folks Online Fox News

Brunchwithbears , Johnny Silvercloud Report

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ЛеснойКороль(ForestKing)H/H
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

i’m not american but sometimes i see clips, man i love watching old cis white men arguing whether or not i deserve rights as a human being 😊👍 /s

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#5

26 Organizations In Modern Society That Should Be Called Cults Despite Formally Not Called One, According To Folks Online Mormons

callsignroadrunner , Drew Rae Report

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Rylee Evergreen 🇺🇦 (she/her)
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm a Mormon. Yes sometimes it feels cultish. But it also brings me a lot of happiness and comfort. Please yall. Can this debate just end now. Why can't we let people live in peace, it's utterly ridiculous

aZZy_d3Lta (they/star/bun)
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

yeah my family is mormon, and i'm forced to go to church with them. everyone is really nice and I do fun activities with the young women but other than that it feels cultish

Michelle C
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They fit the definition of a Christian cult literally. Many orthodox Christians do not recognize Mormonism as Christian, but rather as a collection of heterodox and blatantly oppositional doctrines mixed with orthodox Christian doctrine posing as Christianity.

Shyla Bouche
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We are very often called a cult, most often by other Christians. At one time, Missouri had a law that made it legal to kill us.

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HistoryLover(she/her)
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That’s just discriminatory. Just because you view religion as a cult does not mean it is, but especially to single out a specific religion is wrong. It’s none if your building. Everyone has a different way they live their lives, and if LDS people are happy without hurting people, then just leave them alone.

Analyn Lahr
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think they're required to give a certain percentage of their paycheck to the church.

thechildreninmybasement
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

my mom left that cult a while ago. her mother, my grandma had left it too. my mother as a teen decided to see what it was all about. My grandma said yes, but don't try to make me join. The leader or priest (I'm not mormon and i don't know what it called sorry) always brought my mom into a dark room (looking back on it, my mom says she was glad she wasn't sa) and told her that god had spoken to him and told her that she should be the co-priest (IM SORRY IM NOT mORMAN IDK WHAT ITS CALLED) or like the leader of the women's part of the church. She said, "if god wanted to talk to me, he would speak directly to me." the priest was shocked, and he said god only talks to men! Women aren't important enough. My mom was shocked, but she kept going to church. One day, she was called down to like do a speech or something, and they started off with (what really ticked my mom off was that al these people were her moms friends) "we would just like to congratulate *moms name* for coming to church even

thechildreninmybasement
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

though her family is stubborn. *continues trash talking my moms parents* my mom had slowly been realizing it was like a cult and suddenly interupted him and said, "you know what? i don't beleive in tghis church. you guys are supposed to be my parents friends, but all you do is trash-talk them. I don't believe in your god" *loud gasps* and then she walked out. the priest kept calling their family phone again and again and again and again until she decided to meet up with him. He said *my moms name* "god spoke to me-" and my mom interupted him with, "once again, if god wants to tell me something, he should say it to my face." and once again, the priest said, "god only talks to men! women should be housewives" And my mom said, "once your church sees women and people of the LGBTQ community as equals, ill consider coming back." he said, "that's not going to happen." and it never did. i now live with my mom, my sister, my dog, and my dad who are atheists. I'm an atheist gay genderfluid now.

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René Sauer
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Out of curiosity I went and read a bit about mormons in Germany: 40.000 people, and apparently they want to get rid the name "Mormons" because it was originally a mocking nickname for them. The rest is hidden behind a paywall, which is ridiculous because the article is 5 years old 🙄

Rylee Evergreen 🇺🇦 (she/her)
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ha, you're close. We want to get rid of the nickname because it's led so many people to think we follow Mormon, not Christ, which isn't true ofc!

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Jared Robinson
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

all religions are cults only difference between a cult and a religion is the number of people who accept it.

Mickie Shea
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Of course, along with every other mainstream church and then some.

Ryhanon
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And Jehovah's Witnesses. Used to be one - 100% a crazy cult.

Elizabeth
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, it’s really not a cult and I wish people would stop saying that, it’s life changing and amazing. https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/bofm?lang=eng❤️

Id row
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

All religion is a cult. Some are just better at disguising it.

Sooploosh MacSchnibble
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Even mine? I worship a giant space worm that is hibernating in the Earths upper mantle.

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Cal the dragon! (She/they)
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ugh. I knew it. So glad Dan Reynolds and Wayne Sermon stopped practicing the religion.

Pride Bean️‍
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Just because people follow a religion that most people don't agree with it doesn't mean we should call them morons.

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"In religious studies, a cult is defined by a group led by a charismatic leader and which usually triggers behavior-altering habits in followers. The general public tends to use the term for new-age religions or those with beliefs considered radical or extreme," Jarrett Fuller, a contributing editor to Eye on Design, writes in his recent article.

"Often unspoken, however, is that these groups are usually funded through selling a product or service, whether that's tools and methods for self-help, books, and other content, or simply access to the club, complicating the lines between religion and company, self-help and grip." Yes, in recent decades, the role of religion in modern society has been gradually declining, and new subjects and objects of worship have taken its place.

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#9

26 Organizations In Modern Society That Should Be Called Cults Despite Formally Not Called One, According To Folks Online Iglesia ni Cristo (Church of Christ) from the Philippines is a cult pretending to be a religion. These people visit your home when you miss church, require you to declare your earnings (and then ask for contributions). And even dictate who to vote during elections. Big yikes.

The_Wild_Tonberry , Reb2008 Report

Let's take a look at the list of the most-followed TikTok accounts. The two leaders on this list, Khaby Lame and Charli D'Amelio, have over 150 million followers each, which is comparable to the population of an entire country from the world's top ten. Isn't there a reason to compare many contemporary influencers to true prophets? Among the leaders in terms of the number of followers on Instagram, there are mainly stars of sports, cinema and music. By the way, have you forgotten that the very word "culture" comes from the root "cult"?

#10

26 Organizations In Modern Society That Should Be Called Cults Despite Formally Not Called One, According To Folks Online Apple fanboys.

Realistically any overly aggressive brand loyalty, but Apple people are the worst.

No-Patient1365 , Kanesue Report

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Cristian Gonzalez
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

TBH I don't see what is the fuss about iphones since they are just too expensive, barely change anything in updates, basically the same thing since the last 4 years & I don't see why people feel so rich just flexing their phones in front of everybody since they are just being ripped off.

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#11

26 Organizations In Modern Society That Should Be Called Cults Despite Formally Not Called One, According To Folks Online sororities and greek life in general

alibababutnotreally , Juan Vargas Report

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David H
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

At one time Universities like Harvard required students to be members of a fraternity, and then put maximum number of student a frat could accept, and then only recognized 1 Jewish and 1 Black frat, as a way to limit the number of non-White students at Harvard

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#12

26 Organizations In Modern Society That Should Be Called Cults Despite Formally Not Called One, According To Folks Online the cult of idealization of productivity. I’m glad that people manage their time and are motivated, but when every second one screams that “you need to get up at 4 in the morning, because the strongest do it” sorry, but I don’t see the point in this if there is no goal. it would be better to say HOW HEALTHY SLEEP is important.

dashaaas , Thirdman Report

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Luke Branwen
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I honestly like getting up very early, but if it's voluntary. Everything sleeps, I have peace and can write uninterrupted.

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Be that as it may, today we are surrounded by many phenomena, the attitude towards which sometimes resembles religion, and moreover, they even have their own priests (suffice to recall, let's say HOA...) But such is the modern world - so all we can do is perhaps just scroll to the very end of this list, like the submissions you consider the truest, and maybe add some of your own ideas in the comments. After all, worshiping pandas is perhaps the most decent and approved 'cult' we know.

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#13

26 Organizations In Modern Society That Should Be Called Cults Despite Formally Not Called One, According To Folks Online Disney

brattcatt420 , Craig Adderley Report

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King Itchy
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You can be an adult who likes Disney movies and not be a "Disney Adult" if that is what this is referring to.

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#14

26 Organizations In Modern Society That Should Be Called Cults Despite Formally Not Called One, According To Folks Online Peloton

C-LOgreen , SpartyZag Report

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David Wambold
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's basically a pay to exercise service. You spend up to $2500 on a bike then need a subscription to tune into their broadcasts to work out with them.

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#15

26 Organizations In Modern Society That Should Be Called Cults Despite Formally Not Called One, According To Folks Online lululemon. i worked there and we had “regulars” that would come in each week for new stuff. the employee culture is weird too

pink_grapeFruity , Carolyn Coles Report

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Hill Branda
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Again, too old to know or care. So I looked it up. $70 for a pair of plain running shorts? Why?

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#17

26 Organizations In Modern Society That Should Be Called Cults Despite Formally Not Called One, According To Folks Online Weight Watchers

pittypaterson , theimpulsivebuy Report

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Will Cable
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Best place to eat a cake is right outside their doors just when everyone leaving.

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#18

26 Organizations In Modern Society That Should Be Called Cults Despite Formally Not Called One, According To Folks Online Taylor Swift fans ✨

eternally_inept , taylorswift Report

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Honeybee
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I like her songs and I believe liking someone’s music is not the sign of a cult. The ones that would kill for her maybe. But she never asks people to

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#19

26 Organizations In Modern Society That Should Be Called Cults Despite Formally Not Called One, According To Folks Online Competitive dance.

MaryinPgh , Yaroslav Shuraev Report

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SweetCheesySpaghetti
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Also: competitive cheerleading. (if this appears farther down, i apologize for the repetition)

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#24

26 Organizations In Modern Society That Should Be Called Cults Despite Formally Not Called One, According To Folks Online Texas A&M

CJK5Hookers , Texas A&M Health Science Center Report

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Hill Branda
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Texas A&M is a university in Texas, famous for it's football team and the students' general redneck demeanor. Texas treats college sports like a religion. People are loyal to the team across generations, even if they never attended the university. It's truly bizarre.

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#25

26 Organizations In Modern Society That Should Be Called Cults Despite Formally Not Called One, According To Folks Online Academia

NeatureNature , cottonbro studio Report

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