Reply #32: Welcome to modern Anglo-American culture... [View All]

In the modern usage of the word cult, the reason for assumptions such as being male-dominated are based on past experiences such as Jonestown, David Koresh, etc. To be frank, this should be no surprise, most social structures in society are male-dominated, including most religions and sects, even ones that could be considered self destructive. That's just an example of our patriarchal structure. The fact that there is a sect that may or may not be a self destructive cult that is dominated by women, is therefore notable to the general public. The use of "cult" in this instance is in the modern, pejorative, sense, which could itself be an inaccurate description of the group itself, but I don't think it was used because the group in question is dominated by women, but most likely because their beliefs are outside the mainstream.

As far as your other assumptions, those generally do exist in our general culture, along with other assumptions. Here, I'll give an example, my best friend is named Lanetra, picture her in your head, and describe her in a response to me, and I'll tell you if you are right.