So cults evolve into sects, usually after the {death\departure} of the charismatic leader, and in the process of evolving becoming less {radical\extreme} and more mainstream to the population as a whole?
Does the existence of the {cult->sect} transition also act on the society to pull it more towards the {cult->sect} views?
depends. in the case of christianity, yes. although the views it pulled society towards were not its original cultish belief system, rather an already mainstreamed hellenized greek tradition. i suspect that's why the romans picked it up so easily, actually.
Luther wasn't charismatic? He sure had a lot of followers. What is different between him and Bringham Young? Several US colony founders (Mayflower\Plymouth, etc)?
i guess that's a good point. does the leader who radically changes views and leads a departure from the mainstream church, but differs authority, count? maybe he does, and i shouldn't have second-guessed myself.
I agree that all religions seem to evolve to {match\attract} members as society changes, but isn't this also a redefinition of the faith that the OP noted as an element of cults? That would imply that established religions become more cultish as time passes and get further from the original {?pure?} faith.
yes and no. it is a redefinition, yes. but it's TOWARDS the mainstream, not AWAY like in op.
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