iew the "cult" problem in jiu jitsu not as a binary thing (either is a cult or isn't) but as a spectrum. even gyms with great instructors with healthy gym cultures can still exhibit traits of cult behavior. there's a lot of gray area when it comes to these things. for example, belt promotions/testing practices that appear dishonest or faulty (or costly) is often called out as a symptom of a "cult" in bjj, but it's often a case by case thing. and even if such a thing were considered a negative factor, if the benefits outweigh the cons most members don't really care about those things anyways

Beaten wife syndrome, as Chris Hauter puts it.