In the English-speaking world the word "cult" often carries derogatory connotations.<ref>Compare: T.L. Brink (2008) Psychology: A Student Friendly Approach. "Unit 13: Social Psychology". pp 320 [http://www.saylor.org/site/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/TLBrink_PSYCH13.pdf] – "Cult is a somewhat derogatory term for a new religious movement, especially one with unusual theological doctrine or one that is abusive of its membership."</ref> It has always been controversial because it is (in a [[pejorative]] sense) considered a subjective term, used as an ''[[ad hominem]]'' attack against groups with differing doctrines or practices.<ref>Chuck Shaw – [http://shawcss.tripod.com/REL101/society/sects.htm Sects and Cults] – Greenville Technical College. Retrieved 21 March 2013.</ref><ref>Bromley, David Melton, J. Gordon 2002. Cults, Religion, and Violence. West Nyack, NY, USA: Cambridge University Press.</ref>▼
▲InРеч the„култ” English-speakingчесто worldноси the word "cult" often carries derogatoryпогрдне connotationsконотације.<ref>Compare: T.L. Brink (2008) Psychology: A Student Friendly Approach. "Unit 13: Social Psychology". pp 320 [http://www.saylor.org/site/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/TLBrink_PSYCH13.pdf] – "Cult is a somewhat derogatory term for a new religious movement, especially one with unusual theological doctrine or one that is abusive of its membership."</ref> ItТо hasје alwaysодувек beenбило controversialконтроверзно, becauseјер it isсе (in aу [[pejorativeпејоратив]]ном senseсмислу) consideredсматра aсубјективним subjective termизразом, usedкоришћеном as anкао -{''[[Argumentum ad hominem|ad hominem]]''}- attackнапад againstна groupsгрупе withса differingразличитим doctrinesдоктринама orили practicesпраксама.<ref>Chuck Shaw – [http://shawcss.tripod.com/REL101/society/sects.htm Sects and Cults] – Greenville Technical College. Retrieved 21 March 2013.</ref><ref>Bromley, David Melton, J. Gordon 2002. Cults, Religion, and Violence. West Nyack, NY, USA: Cambridge University Press.</ref>
In the 1970s, with the rise of secular anti-cult movements, scholars (but not the general public) began abandoning the term "cult". According to ''The Oxford Handbook of Religious Movements'', "by the end of the decade, the term 'new religions' would virtually replace 'cult' to describe all of those leftover groups that did not fit easily under the label of church or sect."<ref name="Lewis, 2004"/>
Током 1970-их, са успоном секуларних антикултних покрета, научници (али не и општа јавност) почели су да напуштају термин „култ”. Према ''Оксфордском приручнику о религиозних покрета'', „до краја деценије, термин ''нове религије'' је практично заменио култ у описивању свих оних преосталих група које се нису лако уклопиве под ознаку цркве или секте.”<ref name="Lewis, 2004"/>
