Religions do not threaten, harass, violate, intimidate, abuse and con, well, at least sane religions do not practice such things. If you voice your disagreement with the local Methodist, Catholic, Baptist, Jewish, church chances are they won't threaten you or your family. That's not to say the aforementioned religions are superior or worthy of your attention, only that you don't have to fear for your life if you tell clergy you don't like their religion. Charity says a lot about any religion. Cults, on the other hand, have a reputation for not only ousting those who disagree but threatening and violating human rights as well.
Cults are accountable to no one but themselves.
Often, because information is highly controlled in a cult or cult like group, the whole story will not be available to an outsider entering the group upon arrival. There are two sides to every story and this is ours. There are many different viewpoints among survivors of high control groups within these religions. The viewpoints here are secular and skeptical. The burden of proof is on those in these religions that claim they have supernatural powers.