Why do so many Christians?

The anthropological distinction between cult and religion is the number of members, and cults (by the nature of their numbers) tend to be newer or younger faith systems. The colloquial definition however is negatively loaded - so, since most people are not social scientists they only know the popular definition. Similarly, the word fundamentalist is simply meant to represent someone who believes in the fundamentals of a faith. It was meant as a rather progressive idea: "lets focus on the basics of what we have in common, rather than the details which divide us." However, popular media has popularized the idea of a fundamentalist as someone who is backwards thinking or extremist (the opposite of the origin of the idea itself).

So, we really have ethnocentric haters on all sides of the isle. People don't like what's different because it challenges their sense of reality, either consciously or by reaction (unconsciously). It is not only Christians looking down on other faith communities, nor are Christians unused to the experience of being looked down upon for their beliefs from other religions and atheists/agnostics etc... Everybody is guilty of these tendencies.

Don't hate the 'player', hate the 'game', dude.

If you could only know the miraculous powers that Jesus would give if only you would believe. What are you afraid of??? That it is true ?

Why do so many people misuse the word hate

Try your explanation on the child brides in the Fundamentalist Mormon compounds.

it has nothing to do with the number of followers

a cult is just someone else's religion ...

If Christians hate then they are wrong.

By the way, all religious systems can be called cults since a cult is fundamentally a system of religious beliefs.

However, the word cult also means an unorthodox religion. In order for something to be unorthodox there must be orthodoxy to compare it to. The only Christian document that all Christian sects (denominations) adhere to is the Apostles Creed. Therefore, that is the measure of orthodoxy. If a relgious system does not hold to the Apostles Creed then it is considered unorthodox, and a cult.

I know this explanation will not make you happy, but it does provide the explanation of what Christianity considers cults and why.

Every religion thinks that their religion, is "the one". They'll bash any other one... An example, the Christian's god is a jealous one. He didn't want anybody else to follow a different religion x^.^x

My understanding of cult is that there are elements of control and coercion, and exclusivity and it is not just numbers.

That would make your distinction inadequate.

Christ sets people free. He calls for people to follow Him voluntarily.

Followers of Christ may be a sect but hardly a cult. I deliberately use that phrase to distinguish from Christianity which has become an umbrella religion in which there some who have cultish elements.

Your own, rather flamboyant and distorted definition, alluding to the voluntary alignment of wills in a loving harmony where each gives themselves for the other is rather the extreme opposite to a cult.

It might not make sense to you, as Chinese or Greek might not make sense to you but that does not mean that there is no sense in it, merely that you are ignorant of the sense.

Not wise to boast about that.

If you want to please God, religious affiliation is vital—but not with just any religious group or denomination. You need to base your choice of religion on accurate Bible knowledge, not on unproved dogmas or hearsay. (Proverbs 16:25) Learn the requirements for true religion. Compare them with your own beliefs. Then choose accordingly.—Deuteronomy 30:19.

DIFFERENT religions are simply different roads leading to the same goal. After all, there is only one God, is there not?’ That sentiment is shared by many who feel that although religious affiliation is important, it does not really matter which religion one chooses to follow.
At first glance, this argument may seem plausible, since it is true that there is only one God, the Almighty. (Isaiah 44:6; John 17:3; 1 Corinthians 8:5, 6) However, we cannot overlook the obvious differences—even contradictions—among the many religious groups who claim to serve the true God. They differ greatly in their practices, their beliefs, their teachings, and their requirements. The differences are so great that those belonging to one religion or group find it difficult to understand or accept what the others teach or believe.