TLDR - what’s the question mark in the following scale

Cult(-1)……………….Religion(0)……………….???(+1)

Long version (a.k.a my stupid mind’s question that is keeping me awake):

My understanding of cult is a group of people with an absurd or even possibly nefarious belief system. Like something negative.

By that definition I would put religion in the middle (though a majority of it leans towards the cult side). A group of people that is very serious about what they believe in, no matter how illogical it is.

So with this understanding what would you call the positive side ? A group of people coming together to have a tradition and belief system just for the fun of it ? Is there such thing ?

  • cam_i_am@lemmy.world
    18·
    8 days ago

    Community.

    They’re all groups of people with some kind of shared purpose or values. Cults are harmful and power based. Communities are helpful and consent-based. Religions can fall either way, or somewhere in the middle.

    • fishos@lemmy.worldEnglish
      3·
      8 days ago

      This or “support group”. Community implies those already around you. Something like AA would fit the bill for something that is similar to religion or a cult but positive and affirmative.

      • cam_i_am@lemmy.world
        2·
        8 days ago

        Support groups for sure, but I was more thinking of things like sporting clubs, dog parks, skate parks, artistic communities, soup kitchens, men’s sheds, book clubs. Third spaces.

        Anything where participation is voluntary, hierarchy is absent or minimal, and people come together to share interests, resources, time, or company.