What is your perception of a religious cult?

How would you identify a religious cult? Would it be on the basis of the degree to which a religious group differs in beliefs from very specific Christian beliefs? Or do you have some other criteria? Mormons and Jehovah’s Witnesses, for instance, would clearly be cults (regardless of lack of so-called “cult like” behavior.) Both call themselves Christian, yet disqualify themselves as such due to stated and published beliefs. Jews, Hindus, Buddhists are not considered cults because none of them claim to be Christian. They are religions that are clearly not Christian and do not claim to be Christian.

However, there appears to be confusion among some as to the definition of a cult. What’s yours? I guess I’ve pretty well said what mine is. I’d like some input as to disagreement or questions to clear up the question among us.