Cults: Are You A Part Of One?

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 twoI quit my job? We must ask ourselves if individual
words interchangeably and, often, inappropriately.Quitethinking and questioning are discouraged. Is there an
simply, the word "occult" is derived from a Latin wordunwillingness 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 ashepherding movement, most popular in the 1980's. It's
word which means "to cultivate." In other words, tostill around. Frankly, in this movement, the flock gives
break down and train up in accordance with thethe leaders all their power by asking them about every
prescribed method. That's what this article is allmove they make.I once approached a minister asking
about.DEFINING THE CULTSMany years ago, as Ifor his input on financial matters, he did so with a
was devouring every spiritual thing I could get mydisclaimer, saying that he was here for spiritual
hands on (good and bad), I wound up involved with adirection, not financial advice. Though he offered his
group that 20/20's Barbara Walters later referred toopinion, he advised me to seek an expert. That was a
as "the fastest growing cult in America." The grouphealthy response.LEGALISM.Are they teaching
referred to themselves as the Boston Church of Christsalvation based upon God's grace, or based upon your
and/or the Cornerstone Church of Christ. They nowown good deeds? Is the group making disciples along
refer to themselves as the International Churches ofthe lines of Jesus and His teaching, or are they
Christ, not to be confused with the traditional Church ofproducing 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 uniquehoops 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, IFollowers must live up to the group's standards in
was one of those who ultimately wound up getting aorder to attain or maintain their membership and hope
lawyer who wrote them a letter to get them to leavefor eternal life. There is an obligation to faithfully serve,
us alone.Afterward, one man, referred by the group asattend meetings, studies, and services. As a result,
my "discipler," called my home one evening, trying tothere is tremendous, though often subtle, pressure to
make sense of my legal action. I naively informed himlive up to the requirements of the organization. An
that he was involved in a cult (something cultist actuallyungodly caste system is the created between those
expect to hear, seeing it as persecution which onlywho are "more spiritual" than others. The Spirit of Pride
underscores their purposes) that had receivedis the next demonic presence that waltzes in, as does
numerous law suits and that he should leave the groupthe Spirits of Guilt, Shame and Unworthiness as
at once. He laughed at the absurdity of the notion asChristians compare themselves with one another.A
my warning only confirmed his convictions that he wasDIFFICULT EXIT PROCESS.When salvation is found
on the right team. At the end of the conversation, Iby way of the organization, to LEAVE the organization
said, "Well, I guess I'll see ya in Heaven, huh?" Hecan only be considered the equivalent of turning one's
snapped back, "That's the point, Michael...one of us isn'tback on God. All former members who leave cults are
going!" Since then, I have been invited to several ofshunned by members which often includes members
that group's Bible "Studies" and wound up being moreof their own family. Many are warned that, if they
than a little disruptive by way of the questions I wasleave, they're going straight to Hell. Many ex-members
asking that threw off the speaker's sales pitch. Noare harassed by the organization even after they
converts were made on those nights, that's forleave. 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 alreadyshunned, or hurt, by this negative spiritual experience,
know who that is!A man who was considered byoften end up distrusting any religious organization and
many to be the greatest authority on the cults, the lateend up feeling isolated, alone...shipwrecked.Life in the
Dr. Walter Martin, described a cult simply as "A groupcults is marked by fear of judgment, pressure, and
of people gathered around a specific person'slegalism. This is a far cry from what Jesus taught us.
misinterpretation of the Bible." Cults are groups thatJesus and the apostles said that the new life in Christ
claim to be in harmony with Christianity but denyis one of grace, love, and freedom from the Law. In
foundational Christian doctrines such as the Trinity orMatthew 11:28, Jesus said, "Come to me all who are
the unique deity of Jesus Christ. The group I had joinedweary and heavy laden and I will give you rest." The
agreed with most everything the traditional Church ofpeace and rest promised by Christ is seldom
Christ teaches except that it took James 5:16 too farexperienced by those enslaved by the cults.First Peter
("Therefore, confess your sins to each other and pray3:15 states that we must always be "prepared to give
for each other so that you may be healed"). Theyan answer to everyone who asks you to give the
actually had used people's confidential confessions asreason for the hope that you have. But do this with
a means of blackmailing and were sued for slandergentleness and respect." How can we prepare? By
and defamation of character. One of the signs of aknowing the Word of God through diligent study. We
cult, according to James Walker of Watchmanmust not forget that, once we've overcome our fears,
Expositor, is that they will multiply, divide, add orwe must reach out to cult members, exercising the
subtract from basic Christian doctrine.Jesus warned usfruits of patience and gentleness as we share the
about the cults. In Matthew 7:15-17, he warned, "Watchtruth in love.DANGER!The rise of the cults pose a
out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep'sserious challenge to the Church because they present
clothing but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. Byseveral dangers to the Church and families involved.
their fruit you will recognize them." Here, what JesusHere are some of the types of danger associated
was warning us was that cultists will look, act, andwith 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 canfaith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by
masquerade as a true believer for a time, butdemons." Ultimately the spirit behind all lies and
eventually one's words, actions, and especially one'sdeception is the devil, so the ultimate force behind the
beliefs will betray them. That's why relationship is SOcults is Satan.Galatians 1:8 states, "But even if we or
critical to us as we enter into spiritual involvement withan angel from heaven should preach a gospel other
others. Galatians 5:22 tells us what the fruits of thethat than the one we preached to you, let him be
Spirit - the evidence that the Holy Spirit resides withineternally condemned." The false gospel of the cults
us - are. Just because one calls themselves Christiancannot lead anyone to salvation. There are eternal
doesn't mean they ARE, no more than standing in aconsequences for false beliefs. For this reason Jesus
coffee bar makes one a Cappuccino.Why is the cult Iand the apostles are very harsh on false
was involved with - or any other cult - growing soteachers.PSYCHOLOGICAL DANGER.The
fast? Their growth can be attributed to several keymind-controlling techniques used by the cults can
factors:1) We were warned by Jesus and the apostlescause 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 willorganization has proven to have tremendous negative
be an increase in false prophets who will ensnareeffects on people.DOMESTIC DANGER.Individuals are
many with false teachings. It's true. It's happening. I seetaught that loyalty to the organization is equivalent to
it all the time. In 2 Peter 2:1-3, Peter warns us that falseallegiance with God. Therefore, loyalty to the
teachers will arise from WITHIN the church. Yes, that'sorganization
happening, too. Bad, unbiblical teaching abounds!2) Thesupercedes loyalty to family. Thus, if a family member
growth of the cults contributes to the breakdown ofbegins conducting himself in a way the organization
the family, including Christian families AND the universaldoes not approve of, the cult will often separate the
family of God, all those who consider themselvesfamily from the individual member. Isolation can be
born-again children of God. Also, the breakdown of theemotional or physical. Numerous families have been
family unit has served to fill the ranks of cults asseparated as a result.PHYSICAL DANGER.The
people go looking for acceptance. As families go, soteachings of David Koresh cost the Branch Davidians
goes the Church. As the Church goes, so goes thetheir lives. Vernon Howell, his real name, was an
nation. Like urban gangs, cults provide the acceptanceaspiring rock guitarist who became the charismatic
and family atmosphere longed for by many who stemleader of the Branch Davidian sect, an offshoot of the
from broken homes. The cult leader often winds upSeventh Day Adventists. The Branch Davidians were
taking the place of a father figure.3) Finally, we canan apocalyptic sect founded by Ben and Lois Roden in
attribute the alarming rise of cults to the failure of thethe 1930s. Howell joined the Branch Davidians in 1981
Church to fulfill the Great Commission of Christ. It hasand 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 biblicalcontrol. By 1990 he had changed his name to David
and theological understanding, therefore, we have veryKoresh 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 directlymiles outside of Waco, Texas. Federal agents from
proportional to the fluctuating emphasis which thethe Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (BATF)
church has placed on the teachings of biblical doctrineand 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, butpart of an investigation into allegations of illegal
most of them -- and most of the average Christianweapons and child abuse. A shoot-out ensued that left
laymen -- are hard put to confront and refute aten dead: four BATF agents and six Branch Davidians.
well-trained cultist of almost any variety." If the churchKoresh and his followers holed up in their compound
engaged in solid and in-depth Bible teaching, the Bodyand a confused state of negotiations went on for 51
would become better equipped and, when we came indays, ending on April 19, 1993 when the compound
contact with those in bondage to a cult, we mightburned to the ground, killing Koresh and 74 followers,
actually help them. If this were the case, the cultsincluding 21 children. Although a special investigation by
would not flourish as they do. Bible illiteracy is key.In 2the U.S. Justice Department exonerated the
Corinthians 11:4, Paul warned about false teachersgovernment, the debate over who started the fire
teaching of another Jesus. A modern-day example ofgoes on.Hobart Freeman taught that believers did not
false teaching is Christian Science which teaches thatneed medicine for illnesses, and told his followers to
Jesus was not God incarnate but merely a man whothrow all theirs away. As a result, he and fifty-two of
displayed the "Christ" idea; He neither died for sins, norhis members died from curable conditions. He taught
was He resurrected. I heard of a group that calledthat after healing is claimed, symptoms of illness or
itself the Church of the Scared Mushroom thatinjury that remain are viewed as deception from the
claimed, based on Roman 10:9-10, that because theydevil. When death occurs despite a positive
named this particular mushroom "Jesus" and believedconfession, it is interpreted as discipline from God or a
in "him," they were saved. It's important to learn exactlylack of faith. The saddest part is that it did not stop
WHO the Jesus is that any particular group is referringwith 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'sresult of his teachings. Numerous lawsuits have been
Witnesses claim. He is God in the flesh, 2nd person infiled and parents convicted of child abuse.This type of
the Trinity, born of the Virgin Mary, etc.Oddly enoughthinking is the same as other cult leaders like Victor
(and I've had this experience often), when we interactPaul Wierwille of The Way International who died of
with people caught up in cultic teaching, we'll often hearan illness. Apparently something was wrong with his
them say their group's message is consistent withfaith, and also for Hobart Freeman, who too, died of an
Scripture. But when we point out where their teachingsillness that may have been medically treatable.Jim
deviate from the Bible, they eventually claim the Bible isJones, founder and leader of Jonestown, Guyana, a
filled with discrepancies and has been corrupted by thecommunity 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 merelyChristian Church (Disciples of Christ), moved his
"parroting" and regurgitating what they were taught tocongregation to Guyana to avoid government scrutiny.
say.THE 3 KINDS OF DOCTRINEThere are 3 typesIn November of 1978, U.S. Congressman Leo Ryan
of doctrine mentioned in Scripture: Those of man, ofvisited Jonestown to investigate allegations of human
demons and of Christ/God. Whatever any of us isrights abuses. Ryan and his group were murdered at
being taught by our leaders, we MUST ask theJonestown, and on November 18, 1978 Jim Jones and
question, was it derived from manmade traditions, was911 of his followers committed suicide or were
it a doctrine sown into the group by Hell itself...or was itmurdered. Initial reports said the members drank
something taught by Jesus? DARE to ask theseKool-Aid laced with cyanide, but a report from the
questions, my friends! Not only do cults deviateGuyanese coroner said that hundreds of the bodies
doctrinally from biblical Christianity, but they haveshowed needle marks, indicating foul play. The U.S.
several distinct sociologicalgovernment has not released all the documents
characteristics:AUTHORITARIANISM.Is the leader orpertinent to their investigation of the incident, further
organization trying to exercise complete control overcomplicating the long-held conspiracy theory that
the follower's lives? Are the teachings of leadershipJonestown was a mind-control experiment conducted
considered the last word or even divinely inspired? Isby the Central Intelligence Agency. Who
going against the leadership equivalent to going againstknows?WHAT IS A CHRISTIAN TO DO?In light of the
the commands of God Himself? Are you ostracizedcultic threat, what are Christians called to do?1. We are
or shunned if you buck the system?ELITISM.Most cultscalled to study and know the Word of God. Paul
believe they are the true "church" and the only oneswrites to Timothy and all saints saying, "Do your best
who are actually saved. This is because the groupto present yourself to God as one approved, a
believes they have new revelation or understandingworkman who does not need to be ashamed and
that gives them superior standing. I've been associatedwho correctly handles the world of truth." Christians
with no less than THREE mainline denominations andshould master the Bible so that they will not be
one cult in the past quarter century and they ALLdeceived by any false teaching.2. Titus commands us
claimed to be "the one true church." Remember, theto be able to confront and refute false teachers.3. In
Church is NOT a building or a denomination...it's theActs 20, Paul exhorts the leaders of the church to
people of God; the Body of Christ. Not every part ofprotect their flock from the false teachers that will
the Body functions the same way, said the nose toprey upon the sheep. Every Christian is called to know
the index finger.ISOLATIONISM.With their elitistthe truth so well they can confront false teaching, and
mentality, cults are convinced that those who disagreeprotect others from it.If there come any unto you, and
with them are deceived or even under the influence ofbring 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 theirspeed is partaker of his evil deeds. 2 Jn 10-11The cult
followers from the outside world. Physical and evenmember has been told the same lies so many times
psychological barriers are often established. Thethat he believes they are true. He's been told that his
faithful are advised or prohibited from communicatinggroup is the only one that has the truth. He has been
with outsiders who do not agree with their methods.Itold that the world considers his group a cult. He has
was involved with a popular church of more thanbeen told that disciples of Jesus had to undergo the
2,000 members where, in an emergency meeting, thesame persecution he does. You are talking to a
elders gathered the staff (including me, a janitor at theperson that thinks they are right.Are you considering
time) to "warn" them about a certain minister'sjoining a particular religious group? In light of today's
perceived attempt to start his own church (he held aspiritual smorgasbord, if you're not sure if an
house party; I was there). In that meeting, one elderorganization is a cult, do these three things:1. Take a
warned that "our people should be careful about wholook at their founder. Is that founder Jesus? Is Jesus
they fellowship with." Another elder jumped in, "I thinkSTILL considered to be that founder - the Head -
we should take it a step further and COMMAND themmoreso than any man or organization? If He's NOT,
not to fellowship with other groups!" I couldn't sit still andrun, don't walk in the other direction. Does current
chimed in, "You guys are starting to sound like a cult. Ifleadership claim to be the founders of all things
we were all being honest, this is all motivated by fearChristian and snub or condemn all others? Good
of losing tithers...." Needless to say, nobody saiddoesn't come out of evil. Jesus said an evil tree cannot
another word to me afterbear good fruit and this is true for cults.2. Who does
that.CLOSED-MINDEDNESS.Closed-mindedness andthe group claim Jesus is? An ascended Master?
discouragement from individual thinking are other culticLucifer's bother? A mushroom? Something else?3.
characteristics. Because of their authoritarian nature, itWhat do they say one must do to "be saved"? If it's
is believed that only those at the helm are qualified toanything more than Romans 10:9-10, beware.Write me
properly interpret God's Word. All members are taughtand request the CULTIC CHECKLIST!
to consult the organization for biblical interpretation and