yes its normal, and incase anyone else didnt know the new turns up. if somehow you conquer the province and you wish to remain peaceful with said nation then find a way to suicide cultist and give back said province and refund all gems/income
I think it would be folly to abandon your cultists. They're YOUR cultists, after all. What kind of god would you be if you sacrificed your worshippers just to keep the peace with some false idol who in any case is already involved in a war on another front?