Botchtower's history is 'old lite'. You're supposed to ignore it as a dub except when it suits Botchtower's agenda. If you're not up on the current 'nu-lite' you are either a ''weak Witness' or an 'apostate'.
And yes, it is a cult.
Any organization that tells you that you cannot have anything to do with your friends or family if they aren't a member of said organization ... is a cult.