Frank, it sounds like you encountered a particular modern-day type of zealous groups that would be called "cults" by outsiders for various reasons. With the negative connotation because of the hate involved. But the "Cult of Diana," was simply a religious practice and belief that was older-than and ultimately sidelined-by christianity and marked as "Other" to chase followers from the Nemi's golden bough and into christianity. It is a practice as old as christianity itself. Attis and Cybell is another one, big in it's day in Asia Minor (Phrygia), and sidelined by xtians, but not before they stole the bit about Attis being impaled on the tree (though in the Attis "cult" it was an annual fertility ritual and involved sacrifice of pigs and other animals).

SRS