>>58841They do it because the word "cult" is essentially just a meaningless buzzword that scares people when they hear it, so by calling something a cult you can make something seem bad and evil without even explaining why. It also helps that thing or person being attacked only usually says two things in response to it
>Noooo it's not a cult (and then has to waste a lot of time in order to debunk their claim)or
>Yes we are a cult (proves the other person right and makes you look bad)The only way to properly respond to it is to either ask them what the word cult means (don't of the time they can't even define it) or just point out that the word "cult" is meaningless