Do Cults or Communes ever refer to themselves as cults or Communes such as Manson, Applewhite etc

Answer 1

The general public generally uses the words ‘cults’ in a negative way that implies some form of mental coercion. Historically ‘cult’ just referred to groups who worshipped a specific deity together. But, given its current usage, no groups are likely to see themselves as cults. Scholars of religion understand that all religions began as cults, in the original sense of the word, since it takes time for any religion (even the major ones in the world now) to develop from a small group of followers to a much larger and organizationally complex religion. So, rather than use the word ‘cult’ for newer, seemingly more odd spiritual groups (though if you think about it, most religions would have been seen as odd at their origin), the generally accepted phrase is ‘new religious movement,’ a phrase that doesn’t imply any judgment about the legitimacy of the group.

Of course legally, some of these groups have not been recognized as religions by the IRS, or may come under suspicion by law enforcement if they engage in financial shenanigans or are coercive. So, within the legal system the notion of ‘cults’ still has force. But it’s important to remember that even mainstream religions can have dubious finances or be coercive.

So in short, groups wouldn’t refer to themselves as cults, nor would religious studies scholars, but in popular jargon and the legal system, others might call those groups cults.

Commune doesn’t really have the same negative connotation (and they’re not necessarily based on religious/ spiritual views), so the word is mainly negative only in the eyes of people who might consider them ‘those dirty hippies’ or something similar, but groups who live communally would likely be comfortable referring to themselves as a commune, or recently, as chosen communities.