26 Organizations In Modern Society That Should Be Called Cults Despite Formally Not Called One, According To Folks Online

How often do we use the words “cult” or “iconic” in relation to celebrities, movies or TV shows, sports teams, brands or hobbies? Perhaps too often. But does this mean that the object of our admiration and worship has all the signs of a real cult? Some will laugh and say no. Someone will think and say: “Perhaps…”

Recently, a viral thread has appeared in the AskReddit community, dedicated to various people and phenomena in our lives that have all the signs of a cult, while not actually being a cult. So here’s a selection of the most interesting points in this list, carefully collected by Bored Panda.

#1

The dudes with the “toxic masculinity” type of views and opinions.

Bro, being disrespectful to women doesn’t make you an alpha male, it makes you an a*****e.

26 Organizations In Modern Society That Should Be Called Cults Despite Formally Not Called One, According To Folks Online

Image source: SmackEh, Andrew Nevins

#2

Andrew tate fans

26 Organizations In Modern Society That Should Be Called Cults Despite Formally Not Called One, According To Folks Online

Image source: sommargewitter, Anything Goes With James English

#3

elon musk fanboys who meat ride everything he says

26 Organizations In Modern Society That Should Be Called Cults Despite Formally Not Called One, According To Folks Online

Image source: 111lilac, JD Lasica

#4

Fox News

26 Organizations In Modern Society That Should Be Called Cults Despite Formally Not Called One, According To Folks Online

Image source: Brunchwithbears, Johnny Silvercloud

#5

Mormons

26 Organizations In Modern Society That Should Be Called Cults Despite Formally Not Called One, According To Folks Online

Image source: callsignroadrunner, Drew Rae

#6

Flat Earth

26 Organizations In Modern Society That Should Be Called Cults Despite Formally Not Called One, According To Folks Online

Image source: ThatDudeBox, ricardo

#7

Political parties

26 Organizations In Modern Society That Should Be Called Cults Despite Formally Not Called One, According To Folks Online

Image source: NautiqueG, cottonbro studio

#8

HOA’s

26 Organizations In Modern Society That Should Be Called Cults Despite Formally Not Called One, According To Folks Online

Image source: llcucf80, Sue Thompson

#9

Iglesia ni Cristo (Church of Christ) from the Philippines is a cult pretending to be a religion. These people visit your home when you miss church, require you to declare your earnings (and then ask for contributions). And even dictate who to vote during elections. Big yikes.

26 Organizations In Modern Society That Should Be Called Cults Despite Formally Not Called One, According To Folks Online

Image source: The_Wild_Tonberry, Reb2008

#10

Apple fanboys.

Realistically any overly aggressive brand loyalty, but Apple people are the worst.

26 Organizations In Modern Society That Should Be Called Cults Despite Formally Not Called One, According To Folks Online

Image source: No-Patient1365, Kanesue

#11

sororities and greek life in general

26 Organizations In Modern Society That Should Be Called Cults Despite Formally Not Called One, According To Folks Online

Image source: alibababutnotreally, Juan Vargas

#12

the cult of idealization of productivity. I’m glad that people manage their time and are motivated, but when every second one screams that “you need to get up at 4 in the morning, because the strongest do it” sorry, but I don’t see the point in this if there is no goal. it would be better to say HOW HEALTHY SLEEP is important.

26 Organizations In Modern Society That Should Be Called Cults Despite Formally Not Called One, According To Folks Online

Image source: dashaaas, Thirdman

#13

Disney

26 Organizations In Modern Society That Should Be Called Cults Despite Formally Not Called One, According To Folks Online

Image source: brattcatt420, Craig Adderley

#14

Peloton

26 Organizations In Modern Society That Should Be Called Cults Despite Formally Not Called One, According To Folks Online

Image source: C-LOgreen, SpartyZag

#15

lululemon. i worked there and we had “regulars” that would come in each week for new stuff. the employee culture is weird too

26 Organizations In Modern Society That Should Be Called Cults Despite Formally Not Called One, According To Folks Online

Image source: pink_grapeFruity, Carolyn Coles

#16

Jeep owners

26 Organizations In Modern Society That Should Be Called Cults Despite Formally Not Called One, According To Folks Online

Image source: TwoThirdsDone, Zsolt Joo

#17

Weight Watchers

26 Organizations In Modern Society That Should Be Called Cults Despite Formally Not Called One, According To Folks Online

Image source: pittypaterson, theimpulsivebuy

#18

Taylor Swift fans ✨

26 Organizations In Modern Society That Should Be Called Cults Despite Formally Not Called One, According To Folks Online

Image source: eternally_inept, taylorswift

#19

Competitive dance.

26 Organizations In Modern Society That Should Be Called Cults Despite Formally Not Called One, According To Folks Online

Image source: MaryinPgh, Yaroslav Shuraev

#20

High school theater departments

26 Organizations In Modern Society That Should Be Called Cults Despite Formally Not Called One, According To Folks Online

Image source: pittypaterson, Joe Wolf

#21

USMC.

26 Organizations In Modern Society That Should Be Called Cults Despite Formally Not Called One, According To Folks Online

Image source: KnucklesMacKellough

#22

MrBeast worshippers

26 Organizations In Modern Society That Should Be Called Cults Despite Formally Not Called One, According To Folks Online

Image source: Oppos851, mrbeast

#23

The band THE CULT

26 Organizations In Modern Society That Should Be Called Cults Despite Formally Not Called One, According To Folks Online

Image source: DEFPOTEC8, officialcult

#24

Texas A&M

26 Organizations In Modern Society That Should Be Called Cults Despite Formally Not Called One, According To Folks Online

Image source: CJK5Hookers, Texas A&M Health Science Center

#25

Academia

26 Organizations In Modern Society That Should Be Called Cults Despite Formally Not Called One, According To Folks Online

Image source: NeatureNature, cottonbro studio

#26

Horse riding groups

26 Organizations In Modern Society That Should Be Called Cults Despite Formally Not Called One, According To Folks Online

Image source: Ali8ly, Jean van der Meulen