| CULTS, NOT THE OCCULTWhat's the difference? | | | | are taught to consult the organization for |
| I've heard many people attempt to use these | | | | biblical interpretation and advice on life |
| two words interchangeably and, often, | | | | decisions. Should I marry so-n-so? Should I |
| inappropriately.Quite simply, the word | | | | quit my job? We must ask ourselves if |
| "occult" is derived from a Latin word | | | | individual thinking and questioning are |
| (occultus) that means, basically, "that which | | | | discouraged. Is there an unwillingness to |
| is hidden." The word "cult," on the other | | | | dialogue and consider other viewpoints? |
| hand, comes from a word which means "to | | | | Perhaps you've heard (herd?) of the |
| cultivate." In other words, to break down and | | | | shepherding movement, most popular in the |
| train up in accordance with the prescribed | | | | 1980's. It's still around. Frankly, in this |
| method. That's what this article is all | | | | movement, the flock gives the leaders all |
| about.DEFINING THE CULTSMany years ago, as I | | | | their power by asking them about every move |
| was devouring every spiritual thing I could | | | | they make.I once approached a minister asking |
| get my hands on (good and bad), I wound up | | | | for his input on financial matters, he did so |
| involved with a group that 20/20's Barbara | | | | with a disclaimer, saying that he was here |
| Walters later referred to as "the fastest | | | | for spiritual direction, not financial |
| growing cult in America." The group referred | | | | advice. Though he offered his opinion, he |
| to themselves as the Boston Church of Christ | | | | advised me to seek an expert. That was a |
| and/or the Cornerstone Church of Christ. They | | | | healthy response.LEGALISM.Are they teaching |
| now refer to themselves as the International | | | | salvation based upon God's grace, or based |
| Churches of Christ, not to be confused with | | | | upon your own good deeds? Is the group making |
| the traditional Church of Christ. I'll spare | | | | disciples along the lines of Jesus and His |
| you the many gory details but, essentially, | | | | teaching, or are they producing |
| this group was known for their unique | | | | church-workers? A cult will teach a |
| "discipleship" technique - nothing short of | | | | works-oriented "gospel," giving its members |
| blackmail - which has resulted in quite a few | | | | many hoops to jump through. This leads to a |
| lawsuits. In fact, I was one of those who | | | | lifestyle of legalism and ushers in the |
| ultimately wound up getting a lawyer who | | | | Spirit of the Pharisees. Followers must live |
| wrote them a letter to get them to leave us | | | | up to the group's standards in order to |
| alone.Afterward, one man, referred by the | | | | attain or maintain their membership and hope |
| group as my "discipler," called my home one | | | | for eternal life. There is an obligation to |
| evening, trying to make sense of my legal | | | | faithfully serve, attend meetings, studies, |
| action. I naively informed him that he was | | | | and services. As a result, there is |
| involved in a cult (something cultist | | | | tremendous, though often subtle, pressure to |
| actually expect to hear, seeing it as | | | | live up to the requirements of the |
| persecution which only underscores their | | | | organization. An ungodly caste system is the |
| purposes) that had received numerous law | | | | created between those who are "more |
| suits and that he should leave the group at | | | | spiritual" than others. The Spirit of Pride |
| once. He laughed at the absurdity of the | | | | is the next demonic presence that waltzes in, |
| notion as my warning only confirmed his | | | | as does the Spirits of Guilt, Shame and |
| convictions that he was on the right team. At | | | | Unworthiness as Christians compare themselves |
| the end of the conversation, I said, "Well, I | | | | with one another.A DIFFICULT EXIT |
| guess I'll see ya in Heaven, huh?" He snapped | | | | PROCESS.When salvation is found by way of the |
| back, "That's the point, Michael...one of us | | | | organization, to LEAVE the organization can |
| isn't going!" Since then, I have been invited | | | | only be considered the equivalent of turning |
| to several of that group's Bible "Studies" | | | | one's back on God. All former members who |
| and wound up being more than a little | | | | leave cults are shunned by members which |
| disruptive by way of the questions I was | | | | often includes members of their own family. |
| asking that threw off the speaker's sales | | | | Many are warned that, if they leave, they're |
| pitch. No converts were made on those nights, | | | | going straight to Hell. Many ex-members are |
| that's for sure.Please bear in mind that | | | | harassed by the organization even after they |
| these were well-meaning, kind, VERY sincere | | | | leave. As I said, in my own case, we had to |
| individuals. But they were deceived. | | | | employ the services of an attorney to get our |
| Remember, they are NOT the enemy...we already | | | | friendly neighborhood cult to back off. Those |
| know who that is!A man who was considered by | | | | who are shunned, or hurt, by this negative |
| many to be the greatest authority on the | | | | spiritual experience, often end up |
| cults, the late Dr. Walter Martin, described | | | | distrusting any religious organization and |
| a cult simply as "A group of people gathered | | | | end up feeling isolated, |
| around a specific person's misinterpretation | | | | alone...shipwrecked.Life in the cults is |
| of the Bible." Cults are groups that claim to | | | | marked by fear of judgment, pressure, and |
| be in harmony with Christianity but deny | | | | legalism. This is a far cry from what Jesus |
| foundational Christian doctrines such as the | | | | taught us. Jesus and the apostles said that |
| Trinity or the unique deity of Jesus Christ. | | | | the new life in Christ is one of grace, love, |
| The group I had joined agreed with most | | | | and freedom from the Law. In Matthew 11:28, |
| everything the traditional Church of Christ | | | | Jesus said, "Come to me all who are weary and |
| teaches except that it took James 5:16 too | | | | heavy laden and I will give you rest." The |
| far ("Therefore, confess your sins to each | | | | peace and rest promised by Christ is seldom |
| other and pray for each other so that you may | | | | experienced by those enslaved by the |
| be healed"). They actually had used people's | | | | cults.First Peter 3:15 states that we must |
| confidential confessions as a means of | | | | always be "prepared to give an answer to |
| blackmailing and were sued for slander and | | | | everyone who asks you to give the reason for |
| defamation of character. One of the signs of | | | | the hope that you have. But do this with |
| a cult, according to James Walker of Watchman | | | | gentleness and respect." How can we prepare? |
| Expositor, is that they will multiply, | | | | By knowing the Word of God through diligent |
| divide, add or subtract from basic Christian | | | | study. We must not forget that, once we've |
| doctrine.Jesus warned us about the cults. In | | | | overcome our fears, we must reach out to cult |
| Matthew 7:15-17, he warned, "Watch out for | | | | members, exercising the fruits of patience |
| false prophets. They come to you in sheep's | | | | and gentleness as we share the truth in |
| clothing but inwardly they are ferocious | | | | love.DANGER!The rise of the cults pose a |
| wolves. By their fruit you will recognize | | | | serious challenge to the Church because they |
| them." Here, what Jesus was warning us was | | | | present several dangers to the Church and |
| that cultists will look, act, and sound very | | | | families involved. Here are some of the types |
| much like genuine Christians. However, they | | | | of danger associated with cultic |
| are wolves in sheep's clothing. One can | | | | religions...SPIRITUAL DANGER.First Timothy |
| masquerade as a true believer for a time, but | | | | 4:1 states "...that in later times some will |
| eventually one's words, actions, and | | | | abandon the faith and follow deceiving |
| especially one's beliefs will betray them. | | | | spirits and things taught by demons." |
| That's why relationship is SO critical to us | | | | Ultimately the spirit behind all lies and |
| as we enter into spiritual involvement with | | | | deception is the devil, so the ultimate force |
| others. Galatians 5:22 tells us what the | | | | behind the cults is Satan.Galatians 1:8 |
| fruits of the Spirit - the evidence that the | | | | states, "But even if we or an angel from |
| Holy Spirit resides within us - are. Just | | | | heaven should preach a gospel other that than |
| because one calls themselves Christian | | | | the one we preached to you, let him be |
| doesn't mean they ARE, no more than standing | | | | eternally condemned." The false gospel of the |
| in a coffee bar makes one a Cappuccino.Why is | | | | cults cannot lead anyone to salvation. There |
| the cult I was involved with - or any other | | | | are eternal consequences for false beliefs. |
| cult - growing so fast? Their growth can be | | | | For this reason Jesus and the apostles are |
| attributed to several key factors:1) We were | | | | very harsh on false teachers.PSYCHOLOGICAL |
| warned by Jesus and the apostles that there | | | | DANGER.The mind-controlling techniques used |
| would be days like this. In Matthew 24:23-26, | | | | by the cults can cause immense damage |
| Jesus warned that, as His return draws near, | | | | mentally and emotionally. Living under the |
| there will be an increase in false prophets | | | | pressure, guilt, and dependence on the |
| who will ensnare many with false teachings. | | | | organization has proven to have tremendous |
| It's true. It's happening. I see it all the | | | | negative effects on people.DOMESTIC |
| time. In 2 Peter 2:1-3, Peter warns us that | | | | DANGER.Individuals are taught that loyalty to |
| false teachers will arise from WITHIN the | | | | the organization is equivalent to allegiance |
| church. Yes, that's happening, too. Bad, | | | | with God. Therefore, loyalty to the |
| unbiblical teaching abounds!2) The growth of | | | | organization |
| the cults contributes to the breakdown of the | | | | |
| family, including Christian families AND the | | | | supercedes loyalty to family. Thus, if a |
| universal family of God, all those who | | | | family member begins conducting himself in a |
| consider themselves born-again children of | | | | way the organization does not approve of, the |
| God. Also, the breakdown of the family unit | | | | cult will often separate the family from the |
| has served to fill the ranks of cults as | | | | individual member. Isolation can be emotional |
| people go looking for acceptance. As families | | | | or physical. Numerous families have been |
| go, so goes the Church. As the Church goes, | | | | separated as a result.PHYSICAL DANGER.The |
| so goes the nation. Like urban gangs, cults | | | | teachings of David Koresh cost the Branch |
| provide the acceptance and family atmosphere | | | | Davidians their lives. Vernon Howell, his |
| longed for by many who stem from broken | | | | real name, was an aspiring rock guitarist who |
| homes. The cult leader often winds up taking | | | | became the charismatic leader of the Branch |
| the place of a father figure.3) Finally, we | | | | Davidian sect, an offshoot of the Seventh Day |
| can attribute the alarming rise of cults to | | | | Adventists. The Branch Davidians were an |
| the failure of the Church to fulfill the | | | | apocalyptic sect founded by Ben and Lois |
| Great Commission of Christ. It has been said, | | | | Roden in the 1930s. Howell joined the Branch |
| "The cults are the unpaid bills of the | | | | Davidians in 1981 and was quickly in good |
| church." Cults thrive because Christians are | | | | graces with Lois, the head of the church. She |
| lacking in biblical and theological | | | | died in 1986 and Howell was left in control. |
| understanding, therefore, we have very little | | | | By 1990 he had changed his name to David |
| impact on the spiritual climate of our | | | | Koresh and had settled with more than a |
| nation. Dr. Martin stated, "The rise of the | | | | hundred followers in a compound called Mount |
| cults is directly proportional to the | | | | Carmel, ten miles outside of Waco, Texas. |
| fluctuating emphasis which the church has | | | | Federal agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, |
| placed on the teachings of biblical doctrine | | | | Tobacco and Firearms (BATF) and the Federal |
| to Christian laymen. To be sure, few pastors, | | | | Bureau of Investigation (FBI) tried to |
| teachers, and evangelists defend adequately | | | | execute a warrant for Koresh on February 28, |
| their beliefs, but most of them -- and most | | | | 1993, part of an investigation into |
| of the average Christian laymen -- are hard | | | | allegations of illegal weapons and child |
| put to confront and refute a well-trained | | | | abuse. A shoot-out ensued that left ten dead: |
| cultist of almost any variety." If the church | | | | four BATF agents and six Branch Davidians. |
| engaged in solid and in-depth Bible teaching, | | | | Koresh and his followers holed up in their |
| the Body would become better equipped and, | | | | compound and a confused state of negotiations |
| when we came in contact with those in bondage | | | | went on for 51 days, ending on April 19, 1993 |
| to a cult, we might actually help them. If | | | | when the compound burned to the ground, |
| this were the case, the cults would not | | | | killing Koresh and 74 followers, including 21 |
| flourish as they do. Bible illiteracy is | | | | children. Although a special investigation by |
| key.In 2 Corinthians 11:4, Paul warned about | | | | the U.S. Justice Department exonerated the |
| false teachers teaching of another Jesus. A | | | | government, the debate over who started the |
| modern-day example of false teaching is | | | | fire goes on.Hobart Freeman taught that |
| Christian Science which teaches that Jesus | | | | believers did not need medicine for |
| was not God incarnate but merely a man who | | | | illnesses, and told his followers to throw |
| displayed the "Christ" idea; He neither died | | | | all theirs away. As a result, he and |
| for sins, nor was He resurrected. I heard of | | | | fifty-two of his members died from curable |
| a group that called itself the Church of the | | | | conditions. He taught that after healing is |
| Scared Mushroom that claimed, based on Roman | | | | claimed, symptoms of illness or injury that |
| 10:9-10, that because they named this | | | | remain are viewed as deception from the |
| particular mushroom "Jesus" and believed in | | | | devil. When death occurs despite a positive |
| "him," they were saved. It's important to | | | | confession, it is interpreted as discipline |
| learn exactly WHO the Jesus is that any | | | | from God or a lack of faith. The saddest part |
| particular group is referring to. He is NOT | | | | is that it did not stop with Freeman. There |
| Lucifer's brother as Mormonism teaches nor is | | | | have been over 100 people (members) of |
| he the archangel Michael as Jehovah's | | | | Freeman's Church who have died as a result of |
| Witnesses claim. He is God in the flesh, 2nd | | | | his teachings. Numerous lawsuits have been |
| person in the Trinity, born of the Virgin | | | | filed and parents convicted of child |
| Mary, etc.Oddly enough (and I've had this | | | | abuse.This type of thinking is the same as |
| experience often), when we interact with | | | | other cult leaders like Victor Paul Wierwille |
| people caught up in cultic teaching, we'll | | | | of The Way International who died of an |
| often hear them say their group's message is | | | | illness. Apparently something was wrong with |
| consistent with Scripture. But when we point | | | | his faith, and also for Hobart Freeman, who |
| out where their teachings deviate from the | | | | too, died of an illness that may have been |
| Bible, they eventually claim the Bible is | | | | medically treatable.Jim Jones, founder and |
| filled with discrepancies and has been | | | | leader of Jonestown, Guyana, a community of |
| corrupted by the church. When asked to show a | | | | over 900 members of The People's Temple Full |
| discrepancy or two, they generally are | | | | Gospel Church, an offshoot of the Christian |
| stumped as they were merely "parroting" and | | | | Church (Disciples of Christ), moved his |
| regurgitating what they were taught to | | | | congregation to Guyana to avoid government |
| say.THE 3 KINDS OF DOCTRINEThere are 3 types | | | | scrutiny. In November of 1978, U.S. |
| of doctrine mentioned in Scripture: Those of | | | | Congressman Leo Ryan visited Jonestown to |
| man, of demons and of Christ/God. Whatever | | | | investigate allegations of human rights |
| any of us is being taught by our leaders, we | | | | abuses. Ryan and his group were murdered at |
| MUST ask the question, was it derived from | | | | Jonestown, and on November 18, 1978 Jim Jones |
| manmade traditions, was it a doctrine sown | | | | and 911 of his followers committed suicide or |
| into the group by Hell itself...or was it | | | | were murdered. Initial reports said the |
| something taught by Jesus? DARE to ask these | | | | members drank Kool-Aid laced with cyanide, |
| questions, my friends! Not only do cults | | | | but a report from the Guyanese coroner said |
| deviate doctrinally from biblical | | | | that hundreds of the bodies showed needle |
| Christianity, but they have several distinct | | | | marks, indicating foul play. The U.S. |
| sociological | | | | government has not released all the documents |
| characteristics:AUTHORITARIANISM.Is the | | | | pertinent to their investigation of the |
| leader or organization trying to exercise | | | | incident, further complicating the long-held |
| complete control over the follower's lives? | | | | conspiracy theory that Jonestown was a |
| Are the teachings of leadership considered | | | | mind-control experiment conducted by the |
| the last word or even divinely inspired? Is | | | | Central Intelligence Agency. Who knows?WHAT |
| going against the leadership equivalent to | | | | IS A CHRISTIAN TO DO?In light of the cultic |
| going against the commands of God Himself? | | | | threat, what are Christians called to do?1. |
| Are you ostracized or shunned if you buck the | | | | We are called to study and know the Word of |
| system?ELITISM.Most cults believe they are | | | | God. Paul writes to Timothy and all saints |
| the true "church" and the only ones who are | | | | saying, "Do your best to present yourself to |
| actually saved. This is because the group | | | | God as one approved, a workman who does not |
| believes they have new revelation or | | | | need to be ashamed and who correctly handles |
| understanding that gives them superior | | | | the world of truth." Christians should master |
| standing. I've been associated with no less | | | | the Bible so that they will not be deceived |
| than THREE mainline denominations and one | | | | by any false teaching.2. Titus commands us to |
| cult in the past quarter century and they ALL | | | | be able to confront and refute false |
| claimed to be "the one true church." | | | | teachers.3. In Acts 20, Paul exhorts the |
| Remember, the Church is NOT a building or a | | | | leaders of the church to protect their flock |
| denomination...it's the people of God; the | | | | from the false teachers that will prey upon |
| Body of Christ. Not every part of the Body | | | | the sheep. Every Christian is called to know |
| functions the same way, said the nose to the | | | | the truth so well they can confront false |
| index finger.ISOLATIONISM.With their elitist | | | | teaching, and protect others from it.If there |
| mentality, cults are convinced that those who | | | | come any unto you, and bring not this |
| disagree with them are deceived or even under | | | | doctrine, receive him not into your house, |
| the influence of | | | | neither bid him God speed: For he that |
| | | | biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil |
| the devil. Therefore, many attempt to | | | | deeds. 2 Jn 10-11The cult member has been |
| shelter their followers from the outside | | | | told the same lies so many times that he |
| world. Physical and even psychological | | | | believes they are true. He's been told that |
| barriers are often established. The faithful | | | | his group is the only one that has the truth. |
| are advised or prohibited from communicating | | | | He has been told that the world considers his |
| with outsiders who do not agree with their | | | | group a cult. He has been told that disciples |
| methods.I was involved with a popular church | | | | of Jesus had to undergo the same persecution |
| of more than 2,000 members where, in an | | | | he does. You are talking to a person that |
| emergency meeting, the elders gathered the | | | | thinks they are right.Are you considering |
| staff (including me, a janitor at the time) | | | | joining a particular religious group? In |
| to "warn" them about a certain minister's | | | | light of today's spiritual smorgasbord, if |
| perceived attempt to start his own church (he | | | | you're not sure if an organization is a cult, |
| held a house party; I was there). In that | | | | do these three things:1. Take a look at their |
| meeting, one elder warned that "our people | | | | founder. Is that founder Jesus? Is Jesus |
| should be careful about who they fellowship | | | | STILL considered to be that founder - the |
| with." Another elder jumped in, "I think we | | | | Head - moreso than any man or organization? |
| should take it a step further and COMMAND | | | | If He's NOT, run, don't walk in the other |
| them not to fellowship with other groups!" I | | | | direction. Does current leadership claim to |
| couldn't sit still and chimed in, "You guys | | | | be the founders of all things Christian and |
| are starting to sound like a cult. If we were | | | | snub or condemn all others? Good doesn't come |
| all being honest, this is all motivated by | | | | out of evil. Jesus said an evil tree cannot |
| fear of losing tithers...." Needless to say, | | | | bear good fruit and this is true for cults.2. |
| nobody said another word to me after | | | | Who does the group claim Jesus is? An |
| that.CLOSED-MINDEDNESS.Closed-mindedness and | | | | ascended Master? Lucifer's bother? A |
| discouragement from individual thinking are | | | | mushroom? Something else?3. What do they say |
| other cultic characteristics. Because of | | | | one must do to "be saved"? If it's anything |
| their authoritarian nature, it is believed | | | | more than Romans 10:9-10, beware.Write me and |
| that only those at the helm are qualified to | | | | request the CULTIC CHECKLIST! |
| properly interpret God's Word. All members | | | | |