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