Wastes a lot of space on trying to define "cult" and see if that label can be hurled at the subject.
"Cult", modernly, is simply a pejorative* name to call some group. Hurling that label at it seems to let people think they can:
1 - relax rigor of thought or the sense of justice required in defaming their target,
2 - seek to make de jure biases against them exist or be effective, and
3 - generally gratify themselves in afflicting their target while conferring upon themselves a sense of self-righteousness.
Really a person trying to define "cult" for us usually winds up merely parading their own biases and not very humble opinions.
I don't care if any religious group is a "cult" or not if you can prove the specific illegal, abusive, or otherwise antisocial acts it performs. And if you can, that alone should be the topic of discussion. Don't waste time on loaded language and preferred pejoratives.
If you CAN'T prove the specific illegal, abusive, or otherwise antisocial acts some religious groups does, but still want to gratify yourself by defaming them and posturing as reasonable yourself, call it a "cult" of course.
* (And in my opinion, also "perjorative", which is ill defined as a word but something I like calling things, a lot. Just like the author of the article in question, I think I get to make up words and define their meaning as I please.)