How to spot cults and false teachings Cult: a group or movement exhibiting a great or excessive devotion or dedication to some person, idea, or thing, and employing unethically manipulative techniques of persuasion and control designed to advance the goals of the group�s leaders, to the actual or possible detriment of members, their families, or the community. Unethically manipulative techniques of persuasion and control include but are not limited to: isolation from former friends and family, use of special methods to heighten suggestibility and subservience, powerful group pressures, information management, suspension of individuality or critical judgment, promotion of total dependency on the group and fear of leaving it, etc. Contemporary cults, then, are likely to exhibit three elements to varying degrees: 1) members� excessively zealous, unquestioning commitment to the identity and leadership of the group; exploitative manipulation of members; and harm or the danger of harm to members, their families and/or society. 2) Because cults tend to be leader-centered, exploitative, and harmful, they come into conflict with and are threatened by the more rational, open, and benevolent systems of members� families and society at large. Some gradually accommodate to society by decreasing their levels of manipulation, exploitation, harm, and opposition. Others, however, harden their shells by becoming totalistic, elitist, and isolated. These groups tend to: 3) dictate--sometimes in great detail--how members should think, act, and feel; claim a special, exalted status (for example, occult powers, a mission to save humanity) for themselves and/or their leaders; and intensify their opposition to and alienation from society at large. Because the capacity to exploit human beings is universal, a cult could arise in any kind of group. Most established groups have accountability mechanisms that restrain the development of cultic subgroups. Some religious cult leaders began their careers in mainstream denominations from which they were ejected because of their cultic activities. Cults are generally associated with newer, unorthodox groups, although not all new or unorthodox groups are cults. If a group exhibits any of the following characteristics, then it is a cult: Faulty interpretations of the Bible. They question authority and accuracy of the Bible. They tell you that you must work for your salvation. Their god or gods are not the God of the Bible. They look to books beyond the 66 book Holy Bible as being authoritative. Saying one thing in public, another in private. They think they are the only Christians serving God correctly. Vigorously attacks Christianity. Concept of Jesus is contrary to truth of Bible. Head of the organization comes between God and man. The exact date for the return of Christ is predicted. They deny the personality of Holy Spirit. Definitions of human nature and sin are different from the Bible. Beware of those that do not confess Jesus as Savior, Lord, King, Messiah, and Son of God. Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son. 1 John 2:22 Beware of those that declare more than one way to get to God. Jesus sayeth unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh to the Father, but by me. St. John 14:5 Beware of those that disregard the prophetic 'end time' books of the Bible.. And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. Revelation 22:19 Beware of those that make teachings of men equal to the Holy Bible. If various other books and teachings were to be included in the Holy Bible and regarded as highly, then God would have made it so. Remember, teachings of men are not equal to God's Word. Beware of those that attempt to dictate your every step in life. Pastors are to guide and be a help. God is to lead your decisions. Submit to God and give him the lead. "Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart and ye shall find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." Matthew 11:29 Men of God, you have been warned. Woe be unto the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! saith the Lord. Jeremiah 23:1 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Click one of the following false religions to view their belief system: Goddess Worship New Age Movement Mormonism Scientology The Occult Buddhism Jehovah's Witness Masonry / Freemasonry Islam / Muslem Modern Liberal Christianity - The Apostate Church New Reformation - (Liberal Christianity RePackaged) Luciferianism Satanism Calvinism Augustinianism Seven Day Adventist Unitarian Interfaith Aaronic Order Actualism Aesthetic Realism Aetherius Society Agnosticism Atheism Gnosticism Hinduism Native American Religions Pantheism Alchemy Astrology All-One-God-Faith Shamanism Ancient Mystic Order of Malchizedek Zoroastrianism Yin and Yang Woman�s Circle Witchcraft Wicca The Way International Watchtower Bible and Tract Society Taoism Subud Anthropomancy Arm of the Lord Jewish Kaballah British Israelism Branch Davidians Christadelphianism Deism Dualism Worship of Gaya Eastern Orthodox Catholic Episcopalian Church - USA Click below to view various other compilations: http://www.namb.net/root/resources/beliefbulletins/cults/cults.asp http://www.yourgoingtohell.com |