The Shrewdness of Cults
One of the most greiveous attacks on the body of Christ today is cults. I worked in law enforcement for twelve years, and as a Christian one of the saddest things I saw where the youth in TYC, Texas Youth Commission, (Juvenile Prison) many of these children were the offsprings of men and women belonging to cults. Some were birth in the world to be breeders of children used for sacrifice. If that sounds awful, think about the fact that it is real!
It takes years to deprogram a child that has been brought up in this type of enviroment, and there is always a lasting emotional effect. Nothing outside the LOVE of Christ can erase the effects these communes have on these children.
It's not just about the Joneses, Kareshes, or Mansons, but those that live amongst us, calling themselves Children of God, but teaching a gospel that imprisons. Children are not the only victims, the weak, the needy, the impressionable. The wolves and wolvettes come in manydisquises and are as chameleons, that talk, say amen, hallelujah, having a form of godliness.
some characteristics of a cult are:
1. The group is preoccupied with bringing in new members, especially youth
2 The group has a polarized us-versus-them mentality, which causes conflict with the wider society
3. The group's leader is not accountable to any authorities (as are, for example, military commanders and ministers, priests, monks, and rabbis of mainstream denominations).
4. Members are encouraged or required to live and/or socialize only with other group members
5. They are legalistic in their views and those that disagree are looked upon as not in the will of God or the leader
We are to be wise as serpents, and we are to try the Spirit by the Word of God if it doesn't agree with the word then don't line up to walk into the furnace. You may not be as fortunate as our Hebrew Brothers.
It takes years to deprogram a child that has been brought up in this type of enviroment, and there is always a lasting emotional effect. Nothing outside the LOVE of Christ can erase the effects these communes have on these children.
It's not just about the Joneses, Kareshes, or Mansons, but those that live amongst us, calling themselves Children of God, but teaching a gospel that imprisons. Children are not the only victims, the weak, the needy, the impressionable. The wolves and wolvettes come in manydisquises and are as chameleons, that talk, say amen, hallelujah, having a form of godliness.
some characteristics of a cult are:
1. The group is preoccupied with bringing in new members, especially youth
2 The group has a polarized us-versus-them mentality, which causes conflict with the wider society
3. The group's leader is not accountable to any authorities (as are, for example, military commanders and ministers, priests, monks, and rabbis of mainstream denominations).
4. Members are encouraged or required to live and/or socialize only with other group members
5. They are legalistic in their views and those that disagree are looked upon as not in the will of God or the leader
We are to be wise as serpents, and we are to try the Spirit by the Word of God if it doesn't agree with the word then don't line up to walk into the furnace. You may not be as fortunate as our Hebrew Brothers.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by John on
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Evangilist Fugett a lot of so called mainstream denominational churches can be classified as cults just as Jehovah Witnesses, Catholic, Mormonism and on and on. Jesus didn't start a denomination, man did! Jesus didn't start a religion, man did! What about the ceremonies created by man in churches. It's when we have these hierarchial situations as you mentioned in bullet #3 that problems arise as in most 501C3 lead churches that are told what they can preach, fill the pughs, cater to the people's emotions/concerns (that lukewarm fuzzy feeling service) and most importantly collect the money. Telling the congreation is you don't give money then you won't be blessed. I have seen good ministers kicked out for not following what the hierachy says. I have seen good ministers trying to teach/preach salvation kicked out because that isn't what the so called overseers want them to teach/preach. Now I agree with you in your bullets of 1, 2, 4 and somewhat #5 but we can't act as though this so called mainstream denominational practice you mentioned is any better. Your point in #5 for instance the part of those that disagree is well shown here on BPN. If one challenges false doctrine then we have all seen egos take a defensive stand and the belittling, slandering and fighting begins. If one has man's education in Theology and another doesn't then the person with the degree knows more in some's eyes.
Personally I don't believe in religion as man created and especially denominations that man also created. I dont' have disdain for anyone that does but I have that right and choice to not participate in so called religion and denominations. I have seen where some think you can't understand God if you don't posses a Theologian education and I find that ridiculous. Paul calls religion in Acts 17 and 25 as being superstitious and superstition. I find in churches that it's ok to have the minister read from one bible and there may be six different versions in the congregation and you can't get the message. I've talked to ministers that say all bibles are ok as though Satan didn't start his line of bibles. I visited a AME church and was floored by what I witnessed and one reason I home study with other Christians to fellowship and edify and will continue until I find a church where God is present. I'm not saying God isn't present in all churches but I know He's not in them all.
Bottom line cults are not just the traditional cults we have been taught to believe in, these cults are even in our so called mainstream denominations because as you stated if it doesn't align up with God then it's not of God.
Just my two cents. Good subject about cults but we can't be blind to think cults haven't reached what you call mainstream denominations.
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Permalink Reply by Evangelist Altha Fugett on
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John statedBottom line cults are not just the traditional cults we have been taught to believe in, these cults are even in our so called mainstream denominations because as you stated if it doesn't align up with God then it's not of God.
Just my two cents. Good subject about cults but we can't be blind to think cults haven't reached what you call mainstream denominations.
No, not all, I agree totally!!!! but there are signs present there as well, that I'm sure you saw at this church you mentioned, and you were absolutely correct in leaving that enviroment, to search for a Godly church family. Now I know nothing about the AME church, so I can't speak on them, however in COGIC I've seen some that carry the name but teach a strange gospel and they ISOLATE themselves from others. I've seen their children and how they have retarded their minds, with this isolation.
The first thing they do when they are out from under their parents control is rebel TO THE EXTREME. THERE HAS TO BE A BALANCE. We live in this world but we are not of this world. We should be able to be saved wherever we go, around whomever, or ones salvation is not based in the gospel.
Continue your search for a church, (that was a good statement) you may find out that God wants you to start one. The gospel is to be shared with the unbeliever as well as the believer, we cannot shut ourselves up in our homes with our friends and family, God told us to spread the gospel. Do you know most cults start with friends and family members?
Be Blessed , apreciate the dialogue, John , I don't mean to be cruel, but you just don't know the things I've seen in reference to these isolated groups, and I feel you about some of the mainstreams . Just be careful!!!!
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