CULTS HAVE BEEN a part of American society since the Pilgrims arrived in search of religious freedom. They offer alternatives to traditional religions that some people find more meaningful than the religions in which they were raised. Usually small and short-lived, most cults come and go without great public attention. Why then are cults controversial today"

First, the groups called cults are more numerous than they have ever been. Since the 1960s the United States has witnessed what has been called an explosion of cults. Some are related to Christianity; some are inspired by Eastern religions, such as Hinduism or Buddhism; and still others are not related to any known religion. Even their names present a bewildering array. Not all are limited to the United States, for cults exist worldwide and may be international in membership. At the same time, modern methods of communication, including worldwide computer networks...