Who Cares About the Cults? Beyond Mere Toleration

Minority religions, particularly those pejoratively referred to as cults, have suffered discrimination throughout history. This persists in contemporary society, including Western democracies, and is manifested in a wide variety of ways, with states throughout the world passing and/or applying discriminatory laws. Sometimes just labelling a movement as a cult allows it to be treated not as a religion, entitled to the rights defined by international declarations, but as a criminal organization. Other acts of discrimination are more subtle, such as requiring proof of hundreds or even thousands of national members before a new religion can register as a recognized religion.