lol
Wikipedia covers the subject well, and the anti-cult movement also.
What doesn't get covered much is when cult movements might be legitimate. Like when a society gets so messed up there might actually be something to be said for forming some sort of semi-closed community, including some alternative spiritual belief system. Personally, I sort of do this on my own, and try to extend it at least as far as my wife and daughter, though without much success. Perhaps if I was more charismatic I would be some sort of cult leader, and there would be alot more people wearing wool and eating oats. Not sure about the black wool dress socks, with shorts and sandals or trail runners. It's not really meant to be part of the movement. It's just something I do personally. Perhaps its just as well I'm not all that charismatic.