"The line between a commune and a cult is basically non-existent."

I'd say this is a stretch. Communes can come in all shapes and sizes. Cults are generally centered around a charismatic leader and lack transparency. FEC communities have no central leader, hold land and property in common, and are income sharing.

Actually, the distinction between a cult and a commune is quite well established. Cults have these characteristics: 1) It has a living charismatic leader 2) You give them all your money 3) You are kept away from your old friends and family 4) You can’t leave when you might like Communes (at least the FEC communes) do none of these things. For more insight into this see https://funologist.org/2015/06/19/you-are-a-cult-right/

It’s their right to do so b/c of freedom of assembly. But personally, I believe strongly in private property rights. To each his own I suppose.