Just what is a christian cult anyways

[Henry]

CHRISTIAN APOLOGETICS & RESEARCH MINISTRY http://www.carm.org
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What makes a church or group non-Christian?

There are many non-Christian religions and cults in America: Mormonism, Jehovah's Witnesses, Christian Science, Unity, The Way International, Unitarianism, Islam, Hinduism, etc. They all claim special revelation and privilege and those that use the Bible invariably interpret it in disharmony with standard biblical understanding And, groups like the Mormons and Jehovah's Witnesses object to the label "cult" because it often gets an emotional reaction as well as is a label they want to avoid.
The dictionary defines cult as "a system of religious worship or ritual"; "devoted attachment to, or extravagant admiration for, a person, principle, etc.", "a group of followers." This is a typical secular definition and by it, any believer in any god is a cultist, even atheists since they have an admiration for a principle and are a group of followers of the philosophy of atheism.
The definition I use for "non-Christian cult" or "non-Christian religion" is a group that may or may not include the Bible in its set of authoritative scriptures. If it does include the Bible, it distorts the true biblical doctrines that effect salvation sufficiently so as to void salvation.1 If it doesn't use the Bible, it is a non-Christian religion and does not participate in the benefit of divine revelation.
In Christian bookstores, there are almost always 'cult' sections which include the Mormons, Jehovah's Witnesses, etc. So, I am not alone in describing what a non-Christian, bible based cult is. Nevertheless, what makes something non-Christian is when it denies the essential doctrines of the Bible.

The Deity of Christ, which involves The Trinity
the Resurrection, and
Salvation by Grace
All of them add to the finished work of Jesus on the cross. Some cult groups even add to the Bible, i.e., Mormonism which has the Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and The Pearl of Great Price. Also Christian Science has added Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures. The Jehovah's Witnesses, however, have actually changed the text of the Bible to make it fit what they want it to. For information on this see Jehovah's Witnesses and how they have changed the Bible.
Cults add their own efforts, their own works of righteousness to the finished work of salvation accomplished by Jesus on the cross. All Cults say that Jesus' sacrifice is sufficient, but our works must be 'mixed with' or 'added to' His in order to prove that we are saved and worthy of salvation. They say one thing but believe another. They maintain that they must prove themselves worthy and that they must try their best to please God and prove to Him that they are sincere, have worked hard, and are then worthy to be with Him. In other words, they do their best and God takes care of the rest.
This is absolutely wrong. The Bible says that we are saved by grace not by works "For by grace you have been saved through faith...not as a result of works, that no one should boast, (Eph. 2:8-9, NASB); not by anything we do "For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law" (Rom. 3:28, NASB). Because if there was anything that we could do to merit the forgiveness of our sins, then Jesus died needlessly "nevertheless knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we may be justified by faith in Christ, and not by the works of the Law; since by the works of the Law shall no flesh be justified...I do not nullify the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the Law, then Christ died needlessly (Gal. 2:16, 21, NASB).
People in cults will often cite James 2:26 where it says that faith without works is dead in an attempt to demonstrate that works are part of becoming saved. While it is true that faith without works is dead, it isn't the works that save us. James is saying that if you have real and true faith, it will result in real and true works of Christianity. In other words, you do good works because you are saved, not to get saved. He isn't saying that our works are what saves us, or that they, in combination with the finished work of Christ, save us. James is simply telling us that if we say we have faith (James 2:14) but we have no works in correspondence to that faith, then that faith won't save us because it is a dead faith. This agrees with Paul who tells us that faith is what saves us, "Therefore having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" (Rom. 5:1). This faith is real faith, or true saving faith, not just an empty mental acknowledgement of God's existence which is what those who "say" they have faith but show no corresponding godliness are guilty of. Incidentally, you should realize that faith is only as good as who you put it in. Just having faith in something doesn't mean you're saved. That is why it is important to have the True Jesus, because if you have great faith but it is in the wrong Jesus, then your faith is useless.
In Mormonism Jesus is the brother of the devil begotten through sexual intercourse from a God who came from another planet. In Jehovah's Witnesses he is Michael the Archangel who became a man. In the New Age Movement he is a man in tune with the divine consciousness. Which is true? The only true Jesus is the one of the Bible, the one who is prayed to (1 Cor. 1:1-2 with Psalm 116:1; Acts 7:55-60); worshipped (Matt. 2:2, 11, 14:33, John 9:35-38, Heb. 1:8), and called God (John 20:28; Col. 2:9). The Jesus of the Cults is not prayed to, worshipped, or called God. And since the Jesus of the Bible is the only one who reveals the Father (Luke 10:22) so that you may have eternal life (John 17:3), you must have the true Jesus who alone is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6).
Another common denominator among the Cults is their methods for twisting scripture. Some of the errors they commit in interpreting Scripture are: 1) taking Scripture out of context; 2) reading into the Scriptures information that is not there; 3) picking and choosing only the Scriptures that suit their needs; 4) ignoring other explanations; 5) combining scriptures that don't have anything to do with each other; 5) quoting a verse without giving its location; 6) incorrect definitions of key words; and 7) mistranslations. These are only a few of the many ways Cults misuse Scripture.
If you want to be able to witness well to a person in a cult, you need to understand their doctrines as well as your own. It would be a good idea to study both Christian Doctrine: the Bible, God, Creation, Man... and Christian Doctrine: Jesus, the Holy Spirit, Salvation... as well as the The Three Essential Doctrines of Christianity to become better equipped. Through study you will be able to answer questions that often come up in witnessing encounters. A Christian should know his doctrine well enough to be able to recognize not only what is true, but also what is false in a religious system (1 Pet. 3:15; 2 Tim. 2:15).
Jesus warned us that in the last days false Christs and false prophets would arise and deceive many (Matt. 24:24). The Lord knew that there would be a rise of the spirit of Antichrist (1 John 4:1-3) in the last days. Its manifestation is here in the forms of Mormonism, Jehovah's Witnesses, and the New Age Movement, among others.

_________________
1. This definition of "cult" is not sufficient to cover all that needs to be discussed in cult theologies and practices nor is it broad enough to address the topic of world religions like Hinduism, Buddhism, and Islam which are do not fall under the definition I've employed.
The term cult can range from any group of worshippers of any God who pay no attention to the Bible, to a small, highly paranoid, apocalyptic people who gather around a charismatic leader that uses the Bible to control them. Nevertheless, I've chosen a definition. I'll probably modify it as I learn more.


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[Henry]

Cults!

Cults are everywhere. Some are mainstream and widely accepted. Others are isolationist and hide from examination at great expense. They are growing and flourishing. Some cause great suffering while others appear very helpful and beneficial. Which ever group it is, the ultimate end is their destruction when the Lord returns to claim His own.

What is a cult?
Generally, it is a group that is unorthodox, esoteric, and has a devotion to a person, object, or a set of new ideas.
New Teaching - has a new theology and doctrine.
Only True Teaching - often considers traditional religious systems to be apostate and it alone possess the complete truth.
Strong Leadership - often an individual or small but powerful leadership group holds control of the group’s teachings and practices.
Asset Acquirement - often requires tithing and/or property transfer to the religious system.
Isolationist - to facilitate control over the members physically, intellectually, financially, and emotionally.
Controlling - exercises control over the members. Sometimes this is through fear, threatening lose of salvation if you leave the group. Sometimes through indoctrination.
Indoctrination - possesses methods to reinforce the cult’s beliefs and standards where opposing views are ridiculed and often misrepresented.
Apocalyptic - to give the members a future focus and philosophical purpose in avoiding the apocalypse or being delivered through it.
Experience - various practices including meditation, repetition of words and/or phrases, and ‘spiritual’ enlightenment with God are used as confirmation of their truth.
Depravation - sleep and food deprivation which weakens the will of the subject.
This is uncommon, though practiced by more severe cults
Persecution - predictions of being persecuted and often combined with claiming any opposing views demonstrated against them as a form of persecution.
Many have a non-verifiable belief systems
For example, they would teach something that cannot be verified.
A space ship behind Hale-Bop comet
Or, that God, an alien, or angel appeared to the leader and gave him a revelation
The members are seeded angels from another world, etc.
Often, the philosophy makes sense only if you adopt the full set of values and definitions that it teaches.
With this kind of belief, truth becomes unverifiable, internalized, and easily manipulated through the philosophical systems of its inventor.
The Leader of a Cult
Often charismatic who is considered very special for varying reasons:
The leader has received special revelation from God.
The leader claims to be the incarnation of a deity, angel, or special messenger.
The leader claims to be appointed by God for a mission
The leader claims to have special abilities
The leader is often above reproach and is not to be denied or contradicted.
Cult ethos
Usually seek to do good works, otherwise no one would join them.
They are usually moral and possess a good standard of ethical teaching.
Many times the Bible is used or additional "scriptures" are penned.
The Bible, when used, is always distorted with private interpretations.
Many Cults recruit Jesus as one of their own and redefine him accordingly
Cult groups vary greatly.
From the ascetic to the promiscuous.
From esoteric knowledge to very simple teachings.
From the rich and power to the poor and weak.
Who is vulnerable to joining a cult?
Everyone is vulnerable.
Rich, poor, educated, non-educated, old, young, previously religious, atheistic, etc.
General Profile of cult member (some or all of the following)
Disenchanted with conventional religious establishments.
Intellectually confused over religious and/or philosophical issues
Sometimes disenchanted with society as a whole
Has a need for encouragement and support
Emotionally needful
Needs a sense of purpose.
Financially needful
Recruitment techniques
They find a need and fill it. One of the ways they do this is called
"Love Bombing" - Constant positive affection in word and deed.
Sometimes there is a lot of physical contact like hugging, pats on the back, and touching.
Cult group members will lend emotional support to someone in need.
Help them in various ways...whatever is needed.
The person then becomes indebted to the cult.
Compliment them, reassure them, and make them the center of attention.
Many Cults use the influence of the Bible and/or mention Jesus as being one of their own; thereby adding validity to their system.
Scripture twisting
Those that use the Bible take verses out of context
Then mix their misinterpreted verses with their aberrant philosophy.
Gradualism
Slow altering of thinking processes and belief system through repeated teaching
People usually accept cult doctrines one point at a time.
New beliefs are reinforced by other cult members.
Why would someone join?
The cult satisfies various needs:
Psychological - Someone could have a weak personality, easily lead.
Emotional - Someone could have recently suffered an emotional trauma
Intellectual - Someone has questions that this group answers.
The cult gives them approval, acceptance, purpose, and a sense of belonging.
The cult is appealing for some reason. It could be . . .
Moral rigidity and purity
Financial security
Promises of exaltation, redemption, higher consciousness, or a host of other rewards.
How are they kept in the cult?
Dependence
People often want to stay because the cult meets their psychological, intellectual, and spiritual needs.
Isolation
Outside contacts are reduced and more and more of the life of the member is built around the cult.
It then becomes very easy to control and shape the member.
Cognitive Reconstruction (Brainwashing):
Once the person is indoctrinated, their thinking processes are reconstructed to be consistent with the cult and to be submissive to its leaders.
This facilitates control by the cult leader(s).
Substitution
The Cult and cult leaders often take the place of mother, father, priest, teacher, and healer.
Often the member takes on the characteristics of a dependent child seeking to win the approval of the leader and or group.
Indebtedness
The member becomes indebted to the group emotionally, financially, etc.
Guilt
The person is told that to leave is to betray the leader, God, the group, etc.
The person is told that leave would mean to reject the love and help the group has given.
Threat
Threat of destruction by God for turning from the truth.
Sometimes physical threat is used, though not often.
Threat of missing the apocalypse, or being judged on judgment day, etc.
How do you get them out?
The best thing is to try not to let them get trapped in the first place.
If you are a Christian, then pray.
But, to get a person out of a cult takes
Time, energy, and support.
Teach them the truth.
Give them a true replacement for their aberrant belief system
Show the cult group's philosophic inconsistencies
Study the group and learn its history seeking clues and information.
Try and get them physically away from the cult group.
Give them the support they need emotionally.
Alleviate the threat that if they leave the group they are doomed or in danger.
Generally, don't attack the leader of the group...that comes later.
Converts often feel a loyalty and respect for the founder of the group.
Confront them when needed.
Hopefully, this basic outline will give you information to see how Cults work and how to avoid them. If you have someone who is lost in a cult, you need to pray and ask the Lord to remove them and give you the insight and tools needed. It can be a long and arduous task and very often ends in failure. This is not an easy ministry.

 

[justjake]

It is hard to say what exactly is a cult, but I tend to say that if a group tells me that I HAVE to belong to their group and accept all of their teachings, it is bordering on a cult.

 

[Henry]

Jake that is one of the signs to be sure but we can say what is and what is not a cult, there are defining atributes to be sure, one of the most clear ones is the abherant teachings that contredict the bible.

Anyways, do you think that we shoul care if there are cults or not, or just live and let live as it were.

 

[justjake]

Jake that is one of the signs to be sure but we can say what is and what is not a cult, there are defining atributes to be sure, one of the most clear ones is the abherant teachings that contredict the bible.

Anyways, do you think that we shoul care if there are cults or not, or just live and let live as it were.

I agree with your first part.

As for the 2nd, I feel that a lot of the reasons why Mormonism, Jehovah's Witnesses and some others exist and prosper is because the people that grow up in them never think to question what they believe and why they exist in the first place.

I have spoken to Mormon missionaries and they are trained at how to refute the claims that orthodox Christians make. They are smart and know what they believe and are extremely well-versed at their presentation. They work well together as a team.

But yes, we should attempt to engage them in Christ-like conversations and show them how they are wrong and need to get out of their religion of works and accept the REAL Messiah.

 

[WyldCyde]

Some groups have 'sound' doctrine but cult like behaviour, whereas others have dodgy doctrine yet godly behaviour.
We can not have too many clear sut rules, lest we start judging based on ideals we personally have as opposed to seeking the Lord for discernment.
We have a few things in scripture that are clear cut but even on those people apply them differently based on their own preference.
For example: Scripture clearly says that antichrist like thinking & behaviour is those who deny Jesus came in the flesh - sounds simple right? Not quite, some will then take that to mean that anyone who does not see the 'incarnation' exactly the same way they do is denying that jesus came in the flesh and is therefore antichrist.
Others would say that if someone's view of Jesus' nature differs in any way, then they have denied jesus (the REAL one) came in the flesh.

We MUST look at the cultural & historical background of guidelines set forth in scripture - reading into scriptures things that only developed hundreds of years after the writing of scripture can be dangerous.

WyldCyde

 

[brettsamuel]

Henry do you consider the Assembly of God a cult?

 

[Rose of Sharon]

Pagan Henry,

Is that the only web site you know?

 

[justjake]

Henry do you consider the Assembly of God a cult?

Not me. I have some great friends who are in an Assembly of God church (it has been re-named Lifepoint Ministries now though).

 

[Henry]

justjake

I am with on you on the thing you said that they never thing ot questoin, and certainly they are not encouraged to. Those groups, just like the modalsit teach that they have a special revelatoin, they know the whole truth while others only know some or very little of the truth, this breeds a spiritual pride and arrogence that stops questoining.

And they also have the pending threat that you would be rebeliing against God if you questioned the leaders, and could lose your salvatoin as well. I know this is true because I lived it, the group I was in did this very thing.

As for how we engade them, that is different for eash person. Some are needing a soft hand, others more firm, some look at works, some like to debate, and so on. There is no reall one fire way to talk to anyone who is in a cult, but how ever we do it, we have to speak the truth and let them know Jesus saves and they can be secure in that.

WyldCyde

Absolutely there are churches with sound doctrine that have cult attributes, typically in a controll or governing manner.

And certainly we can lay a stone set of rules as to just what a cult is, but we can have a pretty good out line to go by, and most certainly doctrines are a huge give away, especially when it comes to the matter of the nature of God and means of salvatoin, groups that insist membership in them is the way to be saved, well they are cultic.

Rose

Time to grow up you are just being rude now. And Dear I have many other sites, this one is the best one for short anwers. Besides that determining factor is the bible.

you asked--Henry do you consider the Assembly of God a cult?

Funny you asked that, my wife and I have been looking for smaller church and have visited several in that last few months, and today we went to an AG church. It was a pretty good service, very lively worship, and they have a thanksgiving dinner tonight as well, so we got a bonus.

NO I would not call the AG a cult in general, their doctine is pretty sound. They teach a triune God and salvation by grace through faith alone, and that water batism is a sing of salvatoin already recieved and not part of the salvatoin process.

On the issue that I would disagree they are secondary and do not effect the foundatoin and essential doctines of the bible, so we can debate them but they are not essential.

We will visit a few more times to see how we like it, so far so good.

Oh by the way, a bit of history, the AG excomunicated the oneness folks, in about 1917 or so, becuase they were teaching modalism and Jesus name baptimal regeratoin and refused to recant. Another ironic reason that you asked

Let me say one thing, the problem I have with modalist are the teachings and not the people, though some here would like to paint me as hating them this is far from the truth, the teaching is what I am against, and I only speak out for the LOVE of those are caught in fals gospel and need to know the truth as the bible teaches.

And I am not the only one, this issue was settled as heresy 1800 years ago and each time it has popped back up as well.

 

[Bryan]

At one point, many would have labelled AOG a cult. But as I understand it, many of their member churches have realized the doctrine that WAS being taught was a little wonky, and have since righted their ship. I'm not sure if the head office of AOG has officially changed their positions yet, but most of the member churches seem to be quite sound today.

 

[Henry]

Bryan

In my study of the AG the majority are OK in doctrine but there are the splinter groups such as the oneness who go off teaching the funny stuff.

But from what I understand they are very good about calling councels and purging them selves of any heretics.

 

[Henry]

I was asked about the AG, so I went the denominations official site at:http://ag.org/top/beliefs/truths_condensed.cfm and coppied there basic statement of faith.In between the lines I will add my own comentary, contrasting certain doctrines with what the oneness beleive, and if you want to chek that out got to; http://www.upci.org


16 Fundamental Truths of the Assemblies of God These are nonnegotiable tenets of faith that all Assemblies of God churches adhere to. This list is derived from the official Statement of Fundamental Truths.

1.WE BELIEVE...The Scriptures are Inspired by God and declare His design and plan for mankind.

(Agreed, though we do not agree on certain intepretations we do agree it is God breahted)

2.WE BELIEVE...There is only One True God–revealed in three persons...Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (commonly known as the Trinity).

(Here is the main scism, the onened totally deny this doctrine and accuse those who adhere to is of beleiveing in three gods. This is one of the things that the AG eventually excomunicated the oneness guys for. They beleive rather that God merely takes on differnt modes, or offices, he was the Fahter, he became the Son and so on, but not all three at once as we would believe)

3.WE BELIEVE...In the Deity of the Lord Jesus Christ. As God's son Jesus was both human and divine.

(Here we would both seem to agree on the surface, but not so when you get under the surface. We believe that the ONE person of God the Son, was fully man and fully God as that same time, two natures never fused. They beleive that the Son is the humanity nature and the devine nature is the Father. One person whos tow natures or wills are at times in conflict.)

4.WE BELIEVE...though originally good, Man Willingly Fell to Sin–ushering evil and death, both physical and spiritual, into the world.

(I would agree here on this, addign that Man fell by adams sin, and we are born into it, it is incinations and nature to sin)

5.WE BELIEVE...Every Person Can Have Restored Fellowship with God Through 'Salvation' (accepting Christ's offer of forgiveness for sin). [1 of 4 cardinal doctrines of the A/G]

(Agreed)

6.WE BELIEVE...and practice two ordinancesâ€â€(1) Water Baptism by Immersion after repenting of one's sins and receiving Christ's gift of salvation, and (2) Holy Communion (the Lord's Supper) as a symbolic remembrance of Christ's suffering and death for our salvation.

(This is another point of contention, we believe that batism is what we do AFTER we are saved, they teach that it is part of beiung saved, and to be fully saved you have to batised in Jesus name, and speak in togues. This is very important since the oneness thinking turns grace into works, and that is not what the bible teaches. As for Holy Communion that veries from one place to another)

7.WE BELIEVE...the Baptism in the Holy Spirit is a Special Experience Following Salvation that empowers believers for witnessing and effective service, just as it did in New Testament times. [1 of 4 cardinal doctrines of the A/G]

(I agree with this, but perhaps not all the way. Oness believe that it is part of being saved, and you have to be baptised in the Holy Spirit with the evedecne of speaking in tongues, which again turns grace into works, and is not what the bible teaches)

8.WE BELIEVE... The Initial Physical Evidence of the Baptism in the Holy Spirit is ‘Speaking in Tongues,’ as experienced on the Day of Pentecost and referenced throughout Acts and the Epistles.

(I do not agree with either group in this matter, and personally I am very sceptical abotu tonguse in general)

9.WE BELIEVE...Sanctification Initially Occurs at Salvation and is not only a declaration that a believer is holy, but also a progressive lifelong process of separating from evil as believers continually draw closer to God and become more Christlike.

( I agree but I would put more emphasis on this being the work of the Hoy Sprit)

10.WE BELIEVE...The Church has a Mission to seek and save all who are lost in sin. We believe 'the Church' is the Body of Christ and consists of the people who, throughout time, have accepted God's offer of redemption (regardless of religious denomination) through the sacrificial death of His son Jesus Christ.

(Agree, oneness would aslo say they agree. However they would not concider anyone who was not batised in the name of Jesus as being saved much less a member of the church)

11.WE BELIEVE...A Divinely Called and Scripturally Ordained Leadership Ministry Serves the Church. The Bible teaches that each of us under leadership must commit ourselves to reach others for Christ, to worship Him with other believers, and to build up or edify the body of believers–the Church.

(Agree, I would just add that submisoin to leaders is only when they are doign things biblically)

12.WE BELIEVE...Divine Healing of the Sick is a Privilege for Christians Today and is provided for in Christ's atonement (His sacrificial death on the cross for our sins). [1 of 4 cardinal doctrines of the A/G]

(I agree that God can and does heal, but he does not owe it to us)

13.WE BELIEVE...in The Blessed Hopeâ€â€When Jesus Raptures His Church Prior to His Return to Earth (the second coming). At this future moment in time all believers who have died will rise from their graves and will meet the Lord in the air, and Christians who are alive will be caught up with them, to be with the Lord forever. [1 of 4 cardinal doctrines of the A/G]

(Do not agree at all, the hope is to be eternally with Jesus, but the rapture is not the hope and I do not believein the rature at all, I believe this is a completly fals doctrine, however it is secondary so I do not press it too much)

14.WE BELIEVE...in The Millennial Reign of Christ when Jesus returns with His saints at His second coming and begins His benevolent rule over earth for 1,000 years. At that time many in the nation of Israel will recognize and accept Him as the Messiah, the Savior who died for them and all mankind.

(Again no rapture so taht part I discount the rest is OK)

15.WE BELIEVE...A Final Judgment Will Take Place for those who have rejected Christ. They will be judged for their sin and consigned to eternal punishment in a punishing lake of fire.

(Agree)

16.WE BELIEVE...and look forward to the perfect New Heavens and a New Earth that Christ is preparing for all people, of all time, who have accepted Him. We will live and dwell with Him there forever following His millennial reign on Earth. 'And so shall we forever be with the Lord!'

(Agree)

So there it is the AG beliefes, nothing that would make then a cult, merely a few secondary issues that do not change the over all message of the Gospel. However the differences in oneness and AG are HUGE and essential, and the doctrine of the oneness church is very cultic.

 

[willow the wip]

First of all you need to be aware of what is a "cult" ?

(Jan Groenveld)

IDENTIFYING A CULT

There has been much confusion about cults and how to 'pickem'.


Some have difficulty identifying a cult because it is not so
easy to identify one that is not even religious. For this
reason, over the years, different definitions of what actually
is a cult have developed to make it easier when you know
little about their beliefs.

The different definitions:

SECULAR DEFINITION

CULT - From the Latin "cultis" which denotes all that is
involved in worship, ritual, emotion, liturgy and attitude.
This definition actually denotes what we call denominations
and sects and would make all religious movements a cult.

CHRISTIAN DEFINITION

CULT - Any group which deviates from Biblical, orthodox,
historical Christianity. e.i. They deny the Deity of Christ;
His physical resurrection; His personal and physical return to
earth and salvation by FAITH alone.

This definition only covers those groups which are cults
within the Christian religion. It does not cover cults within
other world religions such as Islam and Hinduism. Nor does it
cover Psychological, Commercial or Educational cults which do
not recognize the Bible as a source of reality.

UNIVERSAL DEFINITION

CULT - Any group which has a pyramid type authoritarian
leadership structure with all teaching and guidance coming
from the person/persons at the top. The group will claim to be
the only way to God; Nirvana; Paradise; Ultimate Reality; Full
Potential, Way to Happiness etc, and will use thought reform
or mind control techniques to gain control and keep their
members.

This definition covers cults within all majopr world
religions, along with those cults which have no OBVIOUS
religious base such as commercial, educational and
psychological cults. Others may define these a little
differently, but this is the simplest to work from.

THE 'ORTHODOX BIBLE-BASED CULT'

A group is called a cult because of their behaviour - not
their doctrines. Doctrine is an issue in the area of
Apologetics and Heresy. Most religious cults do teach what the
Christian church would declare to be heresy but some do not.
Some cults teach the basics of the Christian faith but have
behavioural patterns that are abusive, controlling and cultic.

This occurs in both Non-Charismatic and Charismatic churches.
These groups teach the central doctrines of the Christian
faith and then add the extra authority of leadership or
someone's particular writings. They centre around the
interpretations of the leadership and submissive and
unquestioning acceptance of these is essential to be a member
of good standing. This acceptance includes what we consider
non-essential doctrines e.i. not salvation issues (such as
the Person and Work of Christ.) The key is that they will be
using mind control or undue influence on their members.

An excellent book on this subject is "Churches that Abuse" by
Dr Ronald Enroth.

Using these guidelines of definition, Bible-based,
Psychological, Educational and Commercial aberrations can
easily be identified.


OTHER IDENTIFICATION MARKS

(a) The group will have an ELITIST view of itself in relation to
others, and a UNIQUE CAUSE. e.i. THEY ARE THE ONLY ONES RIGHT -
everyone else is wrong. THEY ARE THE ONLY ONES DOING GOD'S WILL -
everyone else is in apostasy.

(b) They will promote their cause actively, and in doing so, abuse
God-given personal rights and freedoms. This abuse can be
THEOLOGICAL, SPIRITUAL, SOCIAL & PSYCHOLOGICAL.


HOW THEY DO THIS

1. Their leader/s may claim a special, exclusive ministry, revelation or
position of authority given by God.

2. They believe they are the only true church and take a critical stance
regarding the Christian church while at the same time praising and
exalting their own group, leader/s and work.

3. They use intimidation or psychological manipulation to keep members
loyal to their ranks. This could be in the form of threats of dire
calamity sent by God if they leave; certain death at Armageddon;
being shunned by their family and friends etc. This is a vital
part of the mind control process.

4. Members will be expected to give substantial financial support to
the group. This could be compulsory tithing (which is checked);
signing over all their property on entering the group; coercive
methods of instilling guilt on those who have not contributed;
selling magazines, flowers or other goods for the group as part of
their "ministry".

At the same time bible-based cults may ridicule churches that take
up free-will offerings by passing collection plates and/or sell
literature and tapes. They usually brag that they don't do this. This
gives outsiders the intimation that they are not interested in money.

5. There will be great emphasis on loyalty to the group and its
teachings. The lives of members will be totally absorbed into the
group's activities. They will have little or no time to think for
themselves because of physical and emotional exhaustion. This is
also a vital part of the mind control process.

6. There will be total control over almost all aspects of the private
lives of members. This control can be direct through communal
living, or constant and repetitious teaching on "how to be a true
Christian" or "being obedient to leadership". Members will look to
their leaders for guidance in everything they do.


7. Bible-based cults may proclaim they have no clergy/laity
distinction and no paid ministry class - that they are all equal.


8. Any dissent or questioning of the group's teachings is discouraged.
Criticism in any form is seen as rebellion. There will be an
emphasis on authority, unquestioning obedience and submission.
This is vigilantly maintained.

9. Members are required to demonstrate their loyalty to the group in
some way. This could be in the form of "dobbing" on fellow members
(including family) under the guise of looking out for their
"spiritual welfare".

They may be required to deliberately lie (heavenly deception) or
give up their lives by refusing some form of medical treatment.

10. Attempts to leave or reveal embarrassing facts about the group may
be met with threats. Some may have taken oaths of loyalty that
involve their lives or have signed a "covenant" and feel threatened by
this.

Refugees of the group are usually faced with confrontations by
other members with coercion to get them to return to the
group.


SOME ABUSES OF RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS:-

1. ABUSE OF INDIVIDUALITY
They adopt a "groupness" mentality. They are not permitted to
think for themselves apart from the group and only accept what
they are told.

2. ABUSE OF INTIMACY
Relationships with friends, relatives, spouses, children,
parents etc are broken or seriously hampered.

3. ABUSE OF FINANCES
Pressure to give all you can to the group. In non-communal
groups, members usually live at the lower socio-economic strata,
not because of a lower income level, but because they are always
giving money to the group for some reason.

4. "US VERSUS THEM" MENTALITY
Isolation from the community in general. Anyone and
everything outside the group is seen as "of the devil" or
"unenlightened" etc. Their enemies now include former friends;
the Christian church; governments; education systems; the media
- the world in general. Those who are involved with these in any
way see such involvement as a "means to an end".

5. ABUSE OF TIME AND ENERGY
The group controls and uses almost all the members time and
energy in group activities. They are usually in a constant
state of mental and physical exhaustion.

6. ABUSE OF FREE WILL
They must unquestioning submit to the groups teachings and
directions and their own free will is broken. Their "will"
actually becomes the groups "will" without their realizing it.
This is done either by coercive methods including low protein diets
and lack of sleep, or over a period of time through
intimidation. Both methods make heavy use of "guilt".

RESULTS OF THIS ABUSE

1. PERSONALITY CHANGES

Relatives will say they no longer recognize the person.

From a warm, loving personality will come heaped abuse, rejection and
feelings of hate. The cult member sees himself as "righteous" in
comparison and this comes across in their attitude toward all outsiders.

2. LOSS OF IDENTITY

They cannot see themselves as individuals apart from the group.
Some even change their name as a rejection of their former life.

3. PARANOID - WE ARE BEING PERSECUTED

Any time you say anything negative about the group, whether
justified or no, it is regarded as "persecution". Any criticism of
the individual is also seen as persecution only because they are the
"true Christian" or "enlightened" one - not because they, as an
individual, have done the wrong thing. However, at the same time they
will feel free to criticise whatever you believe, say and do because
they are "the only ones who are right".

4. SOCIAL DISORIENTATION

They lose their ability to socialize outside the group. This can
go so far as to not being able to structure their time or make simple
decisions for themselves when they leave.

Their world-view alters and they perceive the world through their
leaders eyes. They become very naive about life in general.

5. SEVERE GUILT COMPLEXES

They are made to feel guilty of everything they did before entering
the group and are to strive to be "good" and "worthy" for "eternal
life". Misdemeanors are made into "mountains" so that members are in a
constant state of guilt for infringing even the most minor rules. Guilt
comes because they aren't doing enough; entertaining doubts or
questions; even thinking rationally for oneself.

This guilt is piled upon pile with new rules constantly
being laid down about what is sinful and what is not. Illness may be
seen as lack of faith - more guilt. Emotional illness may be seen as
proof of sin in your life - more guilt.


SUMMARY

Not all these points will be found in every cult, but
all cults will have some if not most of them, although these may vary to
some degree.


Copyright 1985 Jan Groenveld
Freedom In Christ, PO Box 2444, Mansfield, 4122, Australia

Reproduction is permitted only if text is intact, not within the body
of any other text, and is not sold for gain or profit.
The above identifying information must be left intact.

 

[willow the wip]

there are many things that people would call other christian groups a Cult In China the goverment has concidered Crissondom to be an organisational CULT.

 

[Dave...]

When does this apply?


2Cor. 6:17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.

God bless
Job

 

[willow the wip]

"Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty" (II Corinthians 6:17-18).



The doctrine of separation is one of the most important teachings in the Bible. Christian separation means that you come out of the world and trust Christ. Separation is well described in the nineteenth chapter of Genesis. God told Lot to separate himself from the people in the city. God said,

"Up, get you out of this place: for the Lord will destroy this city" (Genesis 19:14).

Lot reluctantly obeyed God, and left Sodom. But Lot's wife did not want to separate herself from her lost friends. As Lot was leaving, his wife turned around to go back with her lost friends. And the Bible says,

"His wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt" (Genesis 19:26).

this is refaring to sodom or people who commit sutch things like e.g. Idolitry and sodomy ect in this day and age were to have nothing to do with sutch poeple that commit sutch in the name of Jesus Christ .

 

[Dave...]

I guess what I'm trying to say is; Where do we draw the line with a system that believes differently? Should it be with essential doctrines only?

 

[Henry]

Job

Well I personally am very uncomfortable usiing single isolated veres, but 2Cor 6:17, whit out reading the context, I would say, that would apply when we are being lead to another God and another gospel. We are warned in both caes in the bible many times.

Willow the Wip

YOu decsribed the true sence of holyness, but we should be carefull not to go so far that we become spritual snobs, after all we are not of teh world but we are in the world, and we do have to be with the world to witness to them, but as for our heart and inclinatoins we must be different.

Job

Yes in the essentials, with the ecception od sprititual abuse that we can find in churches that hold the essentials.

Two of the most important are the nature of God and the Gospel, we have to have them both right or we are lost, only the true God and the true gosple saves, in the case of salvatoin close in ont going to do it.

By the word of God we know that we are saved by grace through faith, that it is a gift and we do NOTHING to get it, or for that matter deserve it. But then we have teachers who will say that but they add batism and other works, saying they are not really works, but acts ofr faith.

Anyways, this is dangerous, I feel. Since it would be easy for the individual to beleive that part or all of his salvation came by the works that he did. Faith can be dis and even at times mis placed.

Anyways, I say YES the essentials are were we draw the line. The nature of God and the means of salvation being the two most important, get those wrong and all else really does not matter.

Job do you mind if I ask what you stand is, what denimination or theological camp are you part of, if you are non denominatoinal what theological ideals do you find your self leaning toward? Just to get to know you better.

As for me I am non denominatoinal, I come out of a cult group, I now lean toward a calvinism veiw, and and hard core in that possitoin, but I do enjoy the vibrant worship service of the pentocastal groups. I visit several chuches often, and work as volunteer for a local minisrty, which is baptist.

 

[willow the wip]

my point was that when it come`s to the essentual doctrine as far as God is concerned there is no compromise it is wrong to empose hevey sheperding this is dangourus.

Alot tend to sit on the fence God hates major error yes the non-essentuals we can dissogree on.

like the endtimes every one has there own ideas but when it come`s to the compromisation of the gospils thats a big no no.

e.g billy graham prof

http://www.angelfire.com/hi3/nd/grahamlarry.html

Listen to it an actual recording

Larry King: "What do you think of Mormonism, Catholicism, other faiths
within the Christian concept?"
Billy Graham: "Well I think I am in wonder fellowship with all of them."

Larry King: "You are comfortable with Salt Lake City. You are comfortable
with the Vatican?"

Billy Graham: "I am very comfortable with the Vatican."

Larry King: "You were preaching in his church (Pope) the day he was
made Pope."

Billy Graham: "That is correct."