I saw the e-mail but didn't open it. I can see that it's out of synch with my understanding of what makes a cult dangerous. The danger is from groups that exert High Levels of Control over their members.

Which would include Mormonism, some health or economic clubs, local or sub groups of a larger religion, etc.

And the meaning has shifted over time; cults had different connotations when discussing, say, "Roman mystery cults" in the ancient world than in today, if I remember right.

The focus on states targeting small religions seems less about what makes a modern group a cult, and what makes them dangerous, and more about a different issue entirely. Of course, I'd have to attend the presentation to be sure! Which is not on the table.

whaaaaaaat the fuck. I need to know who the speaker is, this sounds like horseshit.

If I'm trying to give this a benefit-of-the-doubt reading, I expect there's a lot of nuance they couldn't pack into the email.

a LOT of nuance

X_X

If I'd read the summary first, I'd think it was just "Small and/or new religions are not automatically cults in the common modern meaning of 'cult'." But the title does not set up for that summary.

i mean... the title is meant to be provocative and get you to want to come hear what they're talking about

"all cults are destructive cults" is in fact inaccurate

Well this is certainly a take. And it does peak my interest, so well done there.