We need to have an actual plan to deal with it.

Do we?
Well, OK.

One place to start planning is by identifying desired outcomes, and then suggesting actions that might lead to those outcomes. So... what do we expect to have achieved, once we've dealt with it?

Another place to start, which is where you seem to be starting, is by arguing the merits of various proposed solutions.

That's usually not an ideal place to start unless our actual goal is to champion a particular set of actions, and the problem is being identified primarily in order to justify those actions. But, OK, if we're going down that path... you've identified two possible solutions:

1. Proclaiming ourselves "the best cult in the world"
2. Saying "we're not a cult, really, stop calling us a cult, you meanies"

And you've argued, compellingly, that #2 is a bad plan, with which I agree completely.

I will toss another contender into the mix:

1. Asking "assuming we are, so what?" and going on about our business.

There of course exist other options.