@Evanescence,
That's a pretty loaded question! I think this website speaks for itself! lol
Christianity started off as a "cult" according to the opinion in various quarters, but then as time went by, it was proven it was a normal religion... a religion with substance... a relgion with a serious message. A religion that was contributed by many people, not just one person like the JW's, Mormons and other religions which I don't want to mentioned, because of that walking on egg shells ("political correctness.") :( The sound teachings it has, the honest it has in it, and it's improvement on it's savage nature (particularly in the torah) and bringing about a Messiah to "straighten things out," proves it's a normal book. [Mind you, there are many parts in the Hebrew Scriptures like Psalms and Proverbs which are not savage and which are just wisdom books...] But the people who make evil cults, you can tell them by their fruits can't you? When you step outside a church and have a look at what you left, you are glad that Christ is your mediator and not some priest or false prophet.
Some Churches may not be cults, but why does some man or woman tell you as a Christian (if you are one) what you should or shouldn't believe and then around in 80 years time (like with the "this generation" theory [1914]) and tell you "this generation" is an indefinite term?
A lot of us have to work 5 days a week and worry about all the boring necessities of life, it's a bit much we have to worry about if we are putting the smile on a priest or a prophet as well, when they are just imperfect people.
Recognize a cult when you see one, but always keep your thinking cap on when getting involved with religion! Don't just except something hook, line and sinker. Tell your children to tell their children's children to keep an open mind not just on religion but everything in life, of this world full of imperfect people.