Is The Episcopal Church a cult?

Is the Episcopal Church a cult?

"'Cult' (from the Latin cultus, worship') means a system of religious beliefs and observances or the group of persons who accept a system of religious beliefs. In this sense, each major religion and every local congregation is a cult.

"In recent years 'cult' has been used pejoratively about new or unfamiliar groups exhibiting certain characteristics (including the introduction of novel or esoteric theories having little or no relation to the beliefs of 'traditional' or 'mainline' religions); these gatherings quickly and superficially satisfy many human needs for values, fulfillment, and authority. In terms of values, each cult provides a simplistic purpose for life and unambiguous moral rules. To gratify needs for emotional, intellectual, and spiritual fulfillment, cults offer a sense of belonging, conformity, enthusiasm, resolution of personal dilemmas, protection, credal certainties, intense rituals, and thorough indoctrination. The need for authority is met by an absolute ruler who is usually the cult's immediate focus and on whom members are entirely dependent. Devotees typically regard nonmembers with suspicion, even as the enemy. Characteristics such as these, however, are not necessarily limited to new and unfamiliar groups. Some movements or congregations within a mainstream religion might exhibit the same traits." - from Nolan et al, Living Issues In Philosophy, 9th ed., p. 363.