the difference

Religions are inclusive. Cults are exclusive.
Religions are about making as many connections as you can to spread the faith. Cults demand you sever as many connections as possible.
In a religion, the leader serves the cause. In a cult, the cause serves the leader.
A religion will happily provide a free copy of their religious text if able. A cult will fiercely guard their religious text from non-followers.
A religion will ask for regular donations to keep the roof from leaking (again). A cult will demand everything you own and then some.

Comments

[HolyCross9]

Well spoken!

[SkeletonMilk]

That's not necessarily true though? Plenty of religions and religious sects are closed and rightfully protective of their sacred texts being misappropriated by outsiders without the group itself being isolating or abusive to their members. Honestly it's more of an indicator that something is a cult if they make you pay money to read up on their sacred texts rather than just you having to be a member/convert. (That's also only applicable to some cults anyway though, they generally love when people brush up on their stuff because it forces you to take them seriously.)