I think we can all appreciate the flexibility of language when defining the word cult. But in practical terms was the Branch davidian the same as, say, the Mormon church or your nan's knitting circle?
Is this actually a defining characteristic? I didn’t think cults were defined so narrowly. I understood cults to simply be highly insular groups with extreme views. Like the Flat Earth Society would a cult, though I don’t think they feel imminent danger or are willing to lay down their lives.