Are you involved with a Cult?

I am addressing this topic as one who's had personal experience. 

Not only was I involved in a 90-day close encounter with a "church" Barbara Walters on "20/20" referred to as "the fastest growing cult in America," but I have assisted others in getting out of that same cult. Twice. I have blogged on the subject and I was invited to give a 4-week presentation on the cults at a local Cowboy Church. I once attended a seminar on cults and the other members of the audience were so intrigued by my questions and personal testimony, after the seminar, I had more people asking questions of me than the speaker had asking her. Maybe you, too, will find this interesting. For some, this may serve as a Red Flag.

When God turned Moses' staff into a serpent, the Egyptian magicians did the same. Satan is still counterfeiting the things of God and church assemblies are no exception.

I've been the Singles Pastor of a 3,000-Member non-denominational church, the Assistant Pastor of a 300-Member non-denominational church, the Assistant Pastor of a 100-Member Baptist church and, for the past 10 years, have affiliated myself with a House Church group that has seen many miracles take place and lives dramatically changed. We encourage our Members to be like the Bereans who "examined the scriptures every day" to see whether the things Paul and Silas were teaching them lined up with Scripture. Not only that, but let's look at what the original language says as well as various Bible translations. Fact is, if anyone were to embrace a particular doctrine they were comfortable with when they joined us, even after examining the Scriptures, that's fine; it's where they're at this very moment and we respect that. We can't expect a baby to know how to run, right? Our goal as a Church is to flesh-out the "one another" verses of Scripture; to show them the love of Jesus, NOT to make anyone in our own image. Let's ask questions and seek the answers together. Our job #1 is to love one another, no matter what they believe. After all, God loved us - me in particular - even when I believed some really goofy spiritual stuff!

Multitudes of church-attenders are leaving the traditional church these days. Across America, Canada and the UK, last I heard, over 53,000 Christians weekly were turning to other religions or irreligion. For perspective, that's about how many soldiers died in the Vietnam War.

When the Holy Spirit woke me at 5:30 this morning (it may have been my wife's alarm as she had an early meeting to attend), I felt compelled to write on this topic. So, I dusted off some notes and started gathering information to share with you. I hope this serves as a blessing to many. Pass it on!

HOW TO KNOW IF YOU ARE IN A CULT

Are you told not to question what is being taught because the leaders are honest and want the best for you so you must trust them? Has someone else's beliefs replaced your own choices in any aspect of life? Have you checked your brain at the door, absorbing whatever comes from your group's leaders without question? Folks, the Holy Spirit is your teacher and He lovingly moves each of us along at our own pace in pursuit of truth. Our responsibility is to love one another, no matter what we believe.

Are you told not to ask questions about why anyone left the group, but are expected to accept the answers the leaders give you such as: they fell into sin, they didn’t receive correction, they weren’t teachable, or they had a bad heart and didn’t want to be disciples? Openness and transparency are important; spiritual leadership is about training, NOT controlling. Nowhere in Scripture does God give any human dominion over any other. 

Are you told that you must be with their church or group to be saved and not by Jesus Christ? Anything other than salvation through Jesus Christ is a lie.

Are you being told there is no other church that practices truth, or they will go to hell for even attending that church? A church that recognizes itself as merely one part of the entire Body of Christ will do things such as visit other local churches in support, attend their special programs, and financially support other ministries and pray for the local churches. Such church groups will even minister to Members of other congregations who visit them in need of deliverance and healing. Look for that kind of openness to the Spirit's leading in your group.

Are you made to feel your failures, that your performance is not up to par for the Bible's standard? If so, have you been made comfortable enough to share those feelings? Have you ever been shamed or seen anyone shunned?

Are you being rebuked for things such as the way you say hello or how you respond to being asked to do something, or are you feeling so loved and accepted you are willing to learn from the example of others?

Do they sometimes use people as examples of what you should be doing? There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ. Big difference between speaking the truth in love and making you feel "lower than a snake's belly."

Do they call those who leave the group "fall aways", "backsliders" and "enemies," or  "dogs returning to their vomit," using the examples of Korah or Judas?

Do they recommend for you to be around THEIR people expecting you to be at all the group activities? If not, are your spirituality and dedication questioned? We should trust that everyone is exactly where Father wants them to be at any given moment. Our steps really are ordered by the Lord.

Do they defend all they do even though it can be harmful or wrong? Or are they open to correction and teachable, recognizing the Holy Spirit can work through anyone He chooses?

Do they operate by humility or are they arrogant and demand you to obey? Or is it done subtly by manipulating you into obeying with statements such as, "real Christians obey their leaders" or "if you were following Jesus you would see what I’m saying is right; true disciples did not question Jesus"?

THINGS TO BE AWARE OF

Beware the "love bomb." When I walked in late to that cult's service on that first visit, about 100 people literally stopped the service to bombard us with handshakes, hugs, and comments such as "We prayed you would be here today." Watch out for people telling you how talented you are and saying you can really go places (true as that may be, flattery goes a long way in cults).

An instant bonding of friendship without your knowing who they are or them really knowing you, they instantly act like your best friend. My "discipler" called me or dropped by every day to tell me he was thinking about me, that he loved me, or to pray for me. 

EVERY DAY!

When you ask questions about their history or the group, they are vague in their answers or avoid answering them (not answering or postponing it makes it go away).  I prayed God would reveal to me if I was in the right place. I even said as I prayed, "Lord, this feels too much like Amway!" In time, we were visited by two ministers who heard we'd gotten involved. What impressed me most was how far they traveled, solely out of their concern. I did my due diligence, contacting a local Christian radio station and was mailed a ton of information on that group. I even called my Discipler to warn him but he wouldn't hear of it. No one in a cult would admit to being so gullible. Yet, contrary to what many believe, most cult Members are VERY intelligent people; they're seeking truth, often disillusioned with traditional religions or Christian denominations.

Are you required to attend studies, required to win souls, required to do anything that will indoctrinate you into "Group Think" and "Group Speak"? Again, is the motivation simply LOVE by introducing others to Christ in you?

Are they emphasizing their church and who they are, more than Jesus and the Kingdom of God? They teach that one can only be a Christian by joining them (exclusive spirituality appeals to our pride and works well these days)?

Cults will always divide the family unit instead of bringing them together. They will even make you choose between God and their church. They use scriptures such as "Jesus came to bring a sword, not peace" or "one must give up brothers, sisters, wife and house for the kingdom" and be a true follower Children often become the most hurt because of strict rules enforced on them. Religious systems that are not balanced can be socially and psychologically disastrous for innocent children who are part of such groups.

WHAT TO DO WHEN CONFRONTED ABOUT JOINING A CULT If you feel uncomfortable about joining a group after visiting, tell them you're simply not interested and do not put up with their badgering and phone calls. Tell them you want time to think about what they are teaching before you become committed to their group. If they pressure you for attendance or continuing in their studies then you know this is not something good. When an attorney from our previous church heard we were wanting to leave, he wrote the cult group a letter and they dropped communications immediately. Seems the group has been sued many times. That attorney's concern for us - people he'd never even met - really impressed me. If you are already a member of a group that meets the criteria spelled-out here, leave sooner rather than later because it doesn’t get easier to leave later on, especially if you've introduced friends and relatives to the group. KNOW YOUR RIGHTS! You have every right  to ask questions, lots of them in fact. After leaving that group, I have been invited twice by friends to listen to speakers in their neighborhood in two other towns. I was raising my hand, asking questions, and one could feel the tangible spiritual clash in the room. No one else joined on either night.                     What is the history of their founders as well as those the group looks up to for spiritual teaching. What books influenced them or what do they read? What is their doctrine and basic beliefs?  Can you review their revenues? Are they open about how they spend their money? Are peoples finances monitored and do they review who gives what and how much? Give yourself some time if you're seeking to know God or looking for a church he will give you warnings and lead you. I often say, if you cannot observe lives being radically changed as a result of being part of that group, don't join! Don’t ignore the warning signs or spiritual checks on how they conduct themselves no matter how friendly the people are. Love and emotional attachments are an old ruse to have you accepted without any strings attached. This doesn’t last long. Ask what they do on their spare time. Many times one's talent and creativity is smothered as all their time goes toward the group or church.  WHERE DO THOSE WHO JOIN CULTS COME FROM? Ron Rhodes writes in his book "The Culting of America," "It is a common myth that unbelievers join Cults." Percentages show that those who join these aberrant groups formerly attended Christian Churches. Dr. Paul Martin of Wellspring Retreat (where cultists adjust from their harmful experiences) writes, "Twenty-five percent formerly attended evangelical, fundamental churches. Over 40 % had backgrounds in large, more liberal Protestant denominations." Lately the International Churches of Christ probably have the greatest percentage of Church converts. Their main goal is to go into the Christian Churches and remove people. This was the group we had joined. There are 2 categories of cults: one is doctrinally the other is sociologically. 1. Almost all cults tend to deny the Apostles creed. They have tendency to pronounce other groups as apostate and they alone have the truth. 3. They devalue or deny the deity of Christ. 4. They have extra sources of biblical revelation. They may use God's Word with something else to interpret it 5. They have salvation by works - either denying God's grace or adding performance. It will not always be easy to spot.  6. They will deny a major doctrine. Cult-like groups take a minor doctrine and make it a major. Ex: you must speak in tongues to be saved. The following are basic patterns, or characteristics, found in almost all cults that one can easily identify. Add - Cults add to the Word of God by having additional writings they call Scripture, or by saying that only the Bible is God's Word but you cannot understand it without their interpretation from their own teachers or books. The Bible may be discouraged to be read alone. Subtract - Cults subtract from the Person of Jesus by saying he is something less than Eternal Deity, or they will add their own teacher as deity.  Multiply - Every false religion has works as part of their system of salvation. They also usually specify what works must be performed at a certain level for acceptance to their group and God. Divide - Cults have people choose by dividing a person's loyalty. It's God through their leadership by claiming to be the only Spokesman or group for God. They also require obedience to their leadership to be in right standing with God. They do not tolerate another’s differing opinions and it is looked upon as being divisive or of the enemy. Mediators- They will always have others involved for one's salvation. For the International Churches of Christ I was a part of, it was my Discipler. I hope this information will help you to either spot the cults, or discern whether or not you've joined one. If you find you are becoming cultish, talk about it, ask questions in an open and honest fashion. Seek guidance and grace from Father to help you avoid these tendencies to desire control and legalism. Remember this: Nowhere in Scripture does the Lord give any man dominion over any other man. Every blessing, Michael Tummillo