Cult Traits

[Ironside]

---

To identify a cult the ultimate test of course is: "What do you think of the Christ?" Is He the God-Man, the second person of the Godhead, who came down from heaven by supernatural conception by the Holy Spirit, who died for our sins and rose again that if we trust in Him alone for salvation we will be saved, the Savior who will come again a second time, and all these, according to the inerrant and infallible Scriptures inspired by God?


However there are general characteristics of cults [secondary characteristics] that we can use as tests to identify them. I would like to post here an article by Wayne Jackson of Christian Courier that might enlighten us on these points:


[Based on my experience. I can say: "MAO JUD ang mga gipangsuwat ni Wayne Jackson"]


Consider the following:



(1) Cult members are “focused on a living leader to whom members seem to display excessively zealous, unquestioning commitment.” The leader is a strong-willed, domineering character who rules the group with tight control. He lets it be known in subtle ways that he is “in charge” of the movement. He makes the plans, he orchestrates the movements of the group or groups (sometimes he exercises his sway over several groups). He dispatches the workers, assigns their chores, etc.



Frequently, they even begin to imitate his mannerisms in terms of voice inflection, language patterns, aggressive attitudes, etc. They become “clones” of their esteemed leader. It is not uncommon that the leader knows of weaknesses or past problems of people with his group. Thus, through subtle intimidation and fear he keeps them under his control.




(2) “Questioning, doubt, and dissent are discouraged,” and there can be pressure or social punishment when there is disagreement with the “boss.” Those who disagree are made to feel as though they are stupid or inept. They are brainwashed with the notion that they do not have the knowledge or experience to question the leader.



Younger people are particularly vulnerable to the leader’s “gift of gab,” and his feigned expertise. No matter how radical the leader becomes in his decisions or actions, the cult members will not criticize him. Even if there should be mild disagreement, no specific expressions are voiced. The members reason that though he may be mistaken in some of his judgments, yet the overall good he accomplishes outweighs any minor flaws.



Members are taught to “rationalize” the conduct of the leader in matters they have always “considered unethical before,” under the guise that the “end justifies the means.”



(3) The leader “is preoccupied with [raising] money.” There is always a need for increasing finances. New projects are ever in the planning. Members are strongly encouraged to greatly sacrifice for the leader’s current “pet” enterprise. There is little pressure let-up; members of the group must be kept “revved up” on a continual basis.


The cult leader always takes the major credit for the movement’s accomplishments. Members become psychologically dependent upon him. “What would we ever do without our leader?,” is the cult mentality.



(4) The cult leader generates within his members “a polarized” mentality. His people evolve an “us-versus-them” mentality. Little-by-little he criticizes other groups with which his members might tend to associate, undermining confidence in them, attempting to discredit anyone who could have influence over his “flock.”




Cult members become suspicious; they imbibe the critical disposition. No one is really as “sound” as “we” are. We are an “elitist” group. And so, seeds of isolationism are sown. The movement leader discourages reading any material, examining any ideas that he does not generate. He seeks to control the inflow of knowledge relative to “his group.”





(5) The cult leader has a clearly defined “anti-authoritarian” disposition. Within the context of the church, for instance, he would have an “anti-elder” attitude. Elders would be recipients of constant critical remarks. No cult leader would affiliate himself with a congregation having elders to whom he must be in submission. “Control” could not be maintained in such an environment.



The cult leader would constantly criticize preachers, particularly those whose knowledge of the Scriptures eclipse his own. Members must be made to feel that he is the “chief authority” in spiritual matters.


(6) Cult members are seen occasionally to take on a new personality. They begin to act differently. They become increasingly antagonistic to family members and long-time friends. They may even boast that, “I am not the old [name] that you used to know; I am a new person now.” And indeed they are. They have become strangers to those who knew them well. They have been transformed into the image of their leader.

[Sinyalan]

Interesting... I say, one knows what cult and one knows what not.

[mordecai_327]

...one helpful article also by Matthew Slick, read under:

:: About Cults ::

http://www.carm.org/cults/cultic.htm

[mordecai_327]

...it is also scary to know that some groups who claimed to be evangelicals portray characteristics such as the one mentioned in #2...I have known ex-members of their congregation who were disciplined in doing so... in turn those disciplined members were left with no choice but relocate to another church. Some groups also deny any vacant pastoral positions to Bible College graduates that did not graduate from their own college/learning institutions...

[Ironside]

thanks for the additional info bro. I noticed some points:


Only True Teaching - often considers traditional religious systems to be apostate and it alone possess the complete truth.




Strong Leadership - often an individual or small but powerful leadership group holds control of the group’s teachings and practices.



Controlling - exercises control over the members. Sometimes this is through fear, threatening lose of salvation if you leave the group. Sometimes through indoctrination.


Guilt ---The person is told that to leave is to betray the leader, God, the group, etc.


"Kibaw naka nga ang atong grupo moy tinood nya ni hawa pa gyud ka......na hala sige ikaw:

Re 22:11 "He who is unjust, let him be unjust still; he who is filthy, let him be filthy still; he who is righteous, let him be righteous still; he who is holy, let him be holy still."



Indoctrination - possesses methods to reinforce the cult’s beliefs and standards where opposing views are ridiculed and often misrepresented.


"Eternal salvation? Once saved always saved? magbuhat na lang tag dautan....kay ingon ana man diay na"



Persecution - predictions of being persecuted and often combined with claiming any opposing views demonstrated against them as a form of persecution.



"Kung kami mangatake sa uban....okay lang. peru kami nagali atakehon, pahawaon mi sa usa ka TV channel kay they find it unethical : GIDAOG DAOG MI ANA."





The leader of the cult--

The leader claims to be appointed by God for a mission




"Mga kapatid welcome natin......ang SUGO NG DIYOS SA KAPANAHONANG ITO........."


The leader is often above reproach and is not to be denied or contradicted.


"kung may makita kayong mali sa aral ko..........eh di lumayas kayo........"




Cult ethos-----

--Usually seek to do good works, otherwise no one would join them.
--They are usually moral and possess a good standard of ethical teaching.
--Many times the Bible is used or additional "scriptures" are penned.
---The Bible, when used, is always distorted with private interpretations.




Scripture twisting--- Those that use the Bible take verses out of context . Then mix their misinterpreted verses with their aberrant philosophy



Cognitive Reconstruction (Brainwashing)--- Once the person is indoctrinated, their thinking processes are reconstructed to be consistent with the cult and to be submissive to its leaders.

[IdontCare]

Interesting... I say, one knows what cult and one knows what not.

Because there is such thing as fake and real.

[mordecai_327]

...no problem Ironside...its good to see people like you who contends for the Christian faith...way to go bro! :mrgreen:

[mordecai_327]

...by the way...i am looking (actually digging) for my notes about Alfonsus Leguri (ill check the spelling later)...the man behind the teachings where Mary was put in the pedestal and revered by many... interesting kaayo ni...

[amingb]

Any group that has a Leader is a Cult a government can be considered a Cult, Church Denomination a considered Cult ....

Its not bad to ba a member of Cult as long as it is not Destructive ...


P.S.
Cult is Heavy Metal band of the 80's

[shimiyu]

...in contrast with genuine Christianity which allows freedom of investigation and scrutiny of claims, and freedom for personal growth.