When does a group of believers become a cult?

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   rhamsonposted 15 years ago

   Going back a ways to the Jim Jones spectacle in Jonestown and more recently the Davidians in Waco, Texas, at what time did they become a cult in their existence?  They had similar evolutionary developement from a small group with a charismatic leader to a separatist direction that secluded them from outside contact. Eventually the leader became autonomous in that he slept with the wives and even fathered children out of wedlock in some cases.
   
   Why are some people suseptable to this and why can't they understand it in time?

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      aka-djposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      I think they start to get into trouble when they (the leaders) are cut off from accountability to others. JJ was a classic example. He was a pentecostal minister before he went it alone.
      It is all summed up in one word really deception.
      That applies to the followers also.

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   rebekahELLEposted 15 years ago

   when the leader demands allegiance to himself and his doctrine.
   there are many cults in religion. people in cults are led to believe there is only one right way to god.

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      aka-djposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      The last part is OK. It's bad when THEY are that "one and only" way. Jesus already has that honor. The rest are all too late.

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3. 70

   rhamsonposted 15 years ago

   I agree that when the separation from others takes place is when a follower should take alarm and run but it seems it is a gradual process.
   
   I know when going to one of the independent churches in my area an elder in the church rose up one Sunday and railed about a book that we should not read and that it would hurt our faith and beliefs if we did.  This was the beginning of the end for me and I attended very few services after that.
   
   Was it because I am suspicious of censorship that made me leave or was it God who led me to question.  Anyway soon after that a whole new leadership came in but I never went back.

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      atomswifeyposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      Yes I think when the little hairs on the back of your neck stand up and you get that, "I really do not belong here" feeling, its time to move on.

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      aka-djposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      I think that this was my very point. You did not surrender everything to the leadership of that church.
      Another point is that one needs to know their Bible. Be strong in their doctrine, and faith. These sort of things can help ring the alarm bells when something sounds right, but is NOT right.
      I can think of some examples in my own walk when this principle worked for me. Good for you in making the stand you did.

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         rhamsonposted 15 years agoin reply to this

         I understand but it wasn't because of my understanding of the bible that made me make this decision but the idea of someone telling me what I as an adult should or should not do.  A question of free will if you get my drift.
         
         While I am not a "Christian" in the traditional sense (I deplore organized religion)and do study the bible as well as other holy works, I found it a bit too easy to gain acceptance and favor if I went along was my take. To close my eyes and accept something to please someone else was far too much for me to swallow.

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      rebekahELLEposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      we are all equipped with a strong instinct, intuition, whatever you want to call it, and it certainly can tell you to walk or run away from a situation or environment. you listened and responded appropriately in this case!  cults are all inward, there is no altruistic outward cause, it's usually based around money.

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   Lady_Eposted 15 years ago

   "Believers" become a cult when they start practicing certain weird rituals in the "church".
   
   There are still hundreds of such cults all over the world and sadly people who really want to know God, get entangled with them.

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   sooner than laterposted 15 years ago

   may I shed some light on the subject.
   
   Cult is a group with religious practice and study. It has been made to be an insult just like "christian" was supposed to be an insult from the Romans. Just like "sheep" is supposed to be an insult from non believers, but then Jesus says we are His sheep and He is our Shepherd.
   
   definition
   1. Cult- formal religious veneration
   
   So, are we "Christian Sheep in a Cult"?
   
   I am.

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      rebekahELLEposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      cults are more than religion oriented. cults can also be extreme groups on the left and right fringes of politics. cults are not good, if you think it's a good thing to be in a cult, you need to look more deeply at what you choose to believe.

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         sooner than laterposted 15 years agoin reply to this

         your idea of what a cult is has been manipulated in recent history. It has then been applied to extremists.

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            rebekahELLEposted 15 years agoin reply to this

            well,it's not really my idea of what a cult is, it's the definition. when one no longer makes their own choices and choices are made for them... I've had experience, so I don't speak lightly about the subject.

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               sooner than laterposted 15 years agoin reply to this

               The 1st definition is:
               
               1. Cult- formal religious veneration
               AKA worship
               
               its first defined this way because cult used to be a group in worship.

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               Rick Marlowposted 15 years agoin reply to this

               I agree with rebekahELLE here. When an individual or group starts to dictate your choices to you, you`re in trouble.

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                  sooner than laterposted 15 years agoin reply to this

                  what if that group inspires people to be better? I'm not saying me, because I am no saint yet.
                  
                  A cult can be good. We as a people have not seen the word "cult" used in a positive maner because of its recent association. Really.

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                     marinealways24posted 15 years agoin reply to this

                     
                     
                     
                     Not a saint yet huh. Keep working on it and you might make prophet.
                     
                     
                     Oh wait, the government made cutbacks, no promotion to prophet this year.

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                        sooner than laterposted 15 years agoin reply to this

                        Now you are a master baiter and a troll.

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                           marinealways24posted 15 years agoin reply to this

                           As you are a master hypocrite.

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                     Rick Marlowposted 15 years agoin reply to this

                     You`re correct. I , like so many others immediantly assumed "cult" in a negative manner.That leaves us to ponder because as you stated, some "cults" probably benefit humankind. Good point. Caught me off guard.

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                        sooner than laterposted 15 years agoin reply to this

                        Lots of words are this way. sadly.

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                  marinealways24posted 15 years agoin reply to this

                  Not to mention when a book makes choices for you.

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   sneakorocksolidposted 15 years ago

   Cult-c'oo*l't- A group of of men who trick people into listening to 'Don't Fear The Reaper'. A bad, bad place where naked women throw themselves at you until die or buy jewelry.

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      Rick Marlowposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      Hilarious,I love it. Sounds like you may speak from experience. ha. ha. Please leave directions next post.

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   quietnessandtrustposted 15 years ago

   One thing that cannot be tricked or deceived is the discerning of spirits.
   This gift can see what is couched in the hearts of all mankind and cannot be fooled.
   People become irritated when you test their spirit.

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   cosetteposted 15 years ago

   i think a religion becomes a cult when the flock is instructed to worship the self-appointed leader instead of God. also, when they keep members from their loved ones, that would make it a cult.

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      marcofratelliposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      Well said. That would be my definition too.
      
      I hear that anyone these days can register and create their own "religion". Is this true? If it is, it's a worry. Then we'll be having ones where, for example, you can worship the pub and must wear Hawaiian shirts all the time...

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   Ron Montgomeryposted 15 years ago

   When they get their own news channel.

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    quietnessandtrustposted 15 years ago

    One thing a cult usually does is DENY that God appeared in the form of man in the person of Messiah.

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    rebekahELLEposted 15 years ago

    cults use mind control. there are commercial groups which are cults, the pyramid type groups that have a founder and everything is based on leadership, following a leader, answering to a leader.
    
    it's not just religious, that's why it's so deceptive. it's a sense of belonging to something that is exclusive. do you think anyone would want to join a group and then, 'oh, by the way,we're going to drink poison?'

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    sooner than laterposted 15 years ago

    I thought I was nearly a saint until I met you. God revealed to me that I need to work on my patience with children.

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       marinealways24posted 15 years agoin reply to this

       I'm sure he reveals a lot of things to you. God forbid you relied on yourself.
       
       

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          sooner than laterposted 15 years agoin reply to this

          I know. Look what happens to men that do.
          
          Good night. Get your last word in so you feel good.

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             marinealways24posted 15 years agoin reply to this

             Yes, I am not a child molesting preacher that believes asking for forgiveness gets him into heaven.
             
             I rely on myself. I don't rely on someone else for an "out" when I screw up.

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