What are the marks of a cult?

Thanks. Look the point is that this guy was not 'flaky', or immediately recognisable as such. He could argue till the cows come home from a biblical point of view and was well-read, from commentaries and the internet. He was a sound "semper reformanda" type of person.
But he made everyone miserable, neurotic, fearful and confused, including our pastor. It was impossible to get rid of him for YEARS, until he overstepped the mark with someone who had authority (not doctrine) to push him sideways.

My best comment would be read Matthew 24. I believe Jesus says many will come in his name claiming to be Christ. plus hold these groups doctrines up to the bible to see if they fit. if not, stay away

Originally Posted by salamacum

Thanks. Look the point is that this guy was not 'flaky', or immediately recognisable as such. He could argue till the cows come home from a biblical point of view and was well-read, from commentaries and the internet. He was a sound "semper reformanda" type of person.
But he made everyone miserable, neurotic, fearful and confused, including our pastor. It was impossible to get rid of him for YEARS, until he overstepped the mark with someone who had authority (not doctrine) to push him sideways.

Do cults depend on secrecy? Like, is secrecy a necessary part of it?

__________________
~ I asked Jesus: "How much do you love me?" He said, "This much." Then He stretched out His arms and died."

~ Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come. (Song of Songs 2:12)

Maybe, churches become cultic when imporatnt things are not held together. You know, love with doctrine with evangelism...
The more I think about it, the guy I was talking about was a modern day pharisee-type, loving disputation, winning arguments, getting his own way. The bible was his means of getting his status within church. Surely, others must recognise this type of person.
I remember the way he referred to those of us in the mid-week meeting as "little ones"....

All of what I'm saying here is merely my own opinion; I'm not citing any theological studies.

I think even legitimate faiths can have cultish qualities. How many denominations teach their followers that anyone who goes to a different church will end up in hell? I can think of three, right off the top of my head. Any attitude of, "We are the one true church, and all others are false," is cultish in my opinion.

Salvation is through faith in Jesus Christ. Not Jesus, plus go to church on the "right" day of the week. Not Jesus, plus be baptized in the "right" manner. Not Jesus, plus take the "right" kind of communion. Not Jesus, plus stick to the "right" version of the Bible. Not Jesus plus anything, but Jesus alone. Making anything else a condition of salvation is cultish in my opinion.

The pastor is called by Christ to shepherd His flock. The job of pastor is to equip the congregation with what *they* need to carry out His work. Absolute authority belongs only to Christ, as presented through His written word. Any attitude of "I am the leader of this church; I am the do-all-and-be-all, and nothing is to happen without my specific permission," is cultish in my opinion.

Yes, we have a higher standard of conduct. Yes, a Christian is going to stand out from society. But we can do that without trying to. I don't see where putting extra constraints on a Christian (especially a woman) accomplishes anything. I know of churches that command women to wear no makeup, no jewelry, skirts only, and hair never cut. One went so far as to map that all clothing should reach "to the elbow, to the knee, and to the collarbone." Some go farther--that a married woman should always wear her hair up, for example, except in the presence of her husband. Being specific where the Bible is general is cultish in my opinion.

That's all I can think of for now.

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Taken from religio.de:

Identifying a Cult
UNIVERSAL DEFINITION


CULT - Any group which has a pyramid type authoritarian leadership structure with all teaching and guidance coming from the person/persons at the top. The group will claim to be the only way to God; Nirvana; Paradise; Ultimate Reality; Full Potential, Way to Happiness etc, and will use thought reform or mind control techniques to gain control and keep their members. This definition covers cults within all majopr world religions, along with those cults which have no OBVIOUS religious base such as commercial, educational and psychological cults. Others may define these a little differently, but this is the simplest to work from. THE 'ORTHODOX BIBLE-BASED CULT'

A group is called a cult because of their behaviour - not their doctrines. Doctrine is an issue in the area of Apologetics and Heresy. Most religious cults do teach what the Christian church would declare to be heresy but some do not. Some cults teach the basics of the Christian faith but have behavioural patterns that are abusive, controlling and cultic.
This occurs in both Non-Charismatic and Charismatic churches. These groups teach the central doctrines of the Christian faith and then add the extra authority of leadership or someone's particular writings. They centre around the interpretations of the leadership and submissive and unquestioning acceptance of these is essential to be a member of good standing. This acceptance includes what we consider non-essential doctrines e.i. not salvation issues (such as the Person and Work of Christ.) The key is that they will be using mind control or undue influence on their members.



OTHER IDENTIFICATION MARKS


(a) The group will have an ELITIST view of itself in relation to others, and a UNIQUE CAUSE. e.i. THEY ARE THE ONLY ONES RIGHT - everyone else is wrong. THEY ARE THE ONLY ONES DOING GOD'S WILL - everyone else is in apostasy.
(b) They will promote their cause actively, and in doing so, abuse God-given personal rights and freedoms. This abuse can be THEOLOGICAL, SPIRITUAL, SOCIAL & PSYCHOLOGICAL.

HOW THEY DO THIS

1. Their leader/s may claim a special, exclusive ministry, revelation or position of authority given by God.
2. They believe they are the only true church and take a critical stance regarding the Christian church while at the same time praising and exalting their own group, leader/s and work.
3. They use intimidation or psychological manipulation to keep members loyal to their ranks. This could be in the form of threats of dire calamity sent by God if they leave; certain death at Armageddon; being shunned by their family and friends etc. This is a vital part of the mind control process.
4. Members will be expected to give substantial financial support to the group. This could be compulsory tithing (which is checked); signing over all their property on entering the group; coercive methods of instilling guilt on those who have not contributed; selling magazines, flowers or other goods for the group as part of their "ministry".
5. At the same time bible-based cults may ridicule churches that take up free-will offerings by passing collection plates and/or sell literature and tapes. They usually brag that they don't do this. This gives outsiders the intimation that they are not interested in money.
6. There will be great emphasis on loyalty to the group and its teachings. The lives of members will be totally absorbed into the group's activities. They will have little or no time to think for themselves because of physical and emotional exhaustion. This is also a vital part of the mind control process.
7. There will be total control over almost all aspects of the private lives of members. This control can be direct through communal living, or constant and repetitious teaching on "how to be a true Christian" or "being obedient to leadership". Members will look to their leaders for guidance in everything they do.
8. Bible-based cults may proclaim they have no clergy/laity distinction and no paid ministry class - that they are all equal.
9. Any dissent or questioning of the group's teachings is discouraged. Criticism in any form is seen as rebellion. There will be an emphasis on authority, unquestioning obedience and submission. This is vigilantly maintained.
10. Members are required to demonstrate their loyalty to the group in some way. This could be in the form of "dobbing" on fellow members (including family) under the guise of looking out for "spiritual welfare". They may be required to deliberately lie (heavenly deception/theocratic strategy) or give up their lives by refusing some form of medical treatment.
    
11. Attempts to leave or reveal embarrassing facts about the group may be met with threats. Some may have taken oaths of loyalty that involve their lives or have signed a "covenant" and feel threatened by this. Refugees of the group are usually faced with confrontations by other members with coercion to get them to return to the group.

http://www.religio.de/cudef.html

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Information is like water being taken up through the roots of plant, it travels up through the roots, up the stalk, and to the leaves and the flowers. It only travels one way. Not so much secrecy as selective disclosure of the truth.

Eg in mormonism, a new convert would not be told about the doctrine of eternal progression, they would only be introduced to the parts of mormon doctrine that are similar to orthodox christianity.

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This is taken from Ron M Enroths book "recovering from churches that abuse". I have found his stuff really helpful
Pges 27-32






1. Does a member’s personality generally become stronger, happier, more confident as a result of contact with the group? In an abusive church, the use of guilt, fear, and intimidation to control members is likely to produce members who have a low self-image, who feel beaten down by legalism, who have been taught that asserting oneself is not spiritual.

One of the first disturbing characteristics to be reported by relatives and friends of members of these churches is a noticeable change in personality, usually in a negative direction.



2. Do members of the group seek to strengthen their family commitments?
Nearly all unhealthy churches attempt to minimize the commitments of their members to their family, especially parents. Young people may be told that they now have a new “spiritual” family, complete with leaders who will “re-parent” them. Church loyalty is seen as paramount, and family commitments are discouraged or viewed as impediments to spiritual advancement.


3. Does the group encourage independent thinking and the development of discernment skills?
Control-oriented leaders attempt to dictate what members think, although the process is so spiritualized that members usually do not realize what is going on.

A pastor or leader is viewed as God’s mouth piece, and in varying degrees a member’s decision making and ability to think for oneself are swallowed up by the group. Pressure to conform and low tolerance for questioning make it difficult to be truly discerning.


4. Does the group allow for individual differences of belief and behavior, particularly on issues of secondary importance?
A legalistic emphasis on keeping rules and a focus on the need to stay within prescribed boundaries is always present in unhealthy spiritual environments.

Lifestyle rigidity in such groups increase a member’s guilt feelings and contributes to spiritual bondage. This rigidity is often coupled with an emphasis on beliefs that would not receive great attention in mainstream
evangelicalism.


5. Does the group encourage high moral standards both among members and between members and non members?
In intense, legalistic churches and religious organizations, the official, public proclamations usually place special value on high moral standards.
In some instances, there is a double standard between those in leadership and those in the rank and file membership. Abusive churches tend to have incidents of sexual misconduct more often than most conventional churches; leaders sometimes exhibit an obsessive interest in matters relating to sex.


6. Does the group’s leadership invite dialogue, advice and evaluation from outside its immediate circle?
Authoritarian pastors are usually threatened by any outside expression of diverse opinions, whether from inside or outside the group. When outside speakers are given access to the pulpit, they are carefully selected to minimize any threat to the leadership’s agenda.

Coercive pastors are fiercely independent and do not function well in a structure of accountability. For the sake of public relations, they may boast that they are accountable to a board of some sort, when in actuality the board is composed of “yes-men” who do not question the leader’s authority.


7. Does the group allow for development in theological beliefs?
Another hallmark of an authoritarian church is its intolerance of any belief system different from its own. They tend to measure and evaluate all forms of Christian spirituality according to their own carefully prescribed system, adopting an “us-versus-them” mentality.


8. Are group members encouraged to ask hard questions of any kind?
A cardinal rule of abusive systems is “Don’t ask questions, don’t make waves.”
A healthy pastor welcomes even tough questions. In an unhealthy church disagreement with the pastor is considered to be disloyalty and is tantamount to disobeying God. People who repeatedly question the system are labeled “rebellious”, “unteachable”, or “disharmonious to the body of Christ”. Persistent questioners may face sanctions of some kind such as being publicly ridiculed, shunned, shamed, humiliated, or disfellowshiped.


9. Do members appreciate truth wherever it is found even if it is outside
their group?
Whether they admit it or not, abusive churches tend to view themselves as spiritually superior to other Christian groups.This religious elitism allows little room for outside influences. There can be no compromise with external sourcs, who, the leadership will say, really don’t understand what is going on in the ministry anyway.


10. Is the group honest in dealing with nonmembers, especially as it tries to win them to the group?
Sometimes abusive groups illustrate a “split-level religion”. There is one level for public presentation and another for the inner circle of membership.
The former is a carefully crafted public relations effort, the latter a reality level experienced only by the “true believers”. Recruitment tactics are usually intense, even if they are not actually deceptive or fraudulent, they can be manipulative or exploitive.

Sometimes high pressure religious groups are evasive about there true identity: “We really don’t have a name, we’re just Christians.” A healthy Christian group should have no qualms about revealing who it is and what its intentions are.


11. Does the group foster relationships and connections with the larger society that are more than self-serving?
First impressions are not always correct. Sustained contact with an unhealthy church, however, will usually reveal a pattern that is consistent with the characteristics we have identified. embers will be requested to serve, to become involved, to sign up for a variety of activities that, upon closer inspection, appear to maintain the system and serve the needs of the leadership.
Abusive churches thrive on tactics that promote dependency. Emphasizing obedience and submission to leaders, these churches often require a level of service that is overwhelming to members, resulting in emotional turmoil and spiritual breakdowns.

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The Boston Church of Christ, would be an example of a christian cult

http://www.reveal.org/library/activi...h-warning.html

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< < < A group is called a cult because of their behaviour - not their doctrines > >

Wow - some deep stuff here..