Those looking at cults from a distance can see the deception and control going on so easily, but those on the inside simply can't.
What is the draw? Why are people attracted to the heavily controlled environments in which cults thrive? I can't understand why someone would want to live that way. Dietary restrictions, special days. . . Why would someone submit to that?
What is the Draw of Cults?
Discussion in 'Other Christian Denominations' started by thatbrian, Feb 7, 2018.
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I feel people submit to the authority of cults because there are usually measurable means to evaluate my own "righteousness" in a cult. My attendance, doing certain rituals, giving a certain amount, etc. Are all ways to determine if I'm doing enough to earn favor with "God". Not to mention, it inflates my ego knowing I'm the correct group and everyone else has it wrong. And because what they usually teach is not purely the Truth of God's Word, I feel comfortable attaining knowledge without any really transformation. Just some thoughts.
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Earth Wind and Fire Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
Could pinpoint what you consider a cult is? In addition to religious... could it be clubs, could it be political?
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Most Christians don't understand the Sin of the elder brother. When they think of sin they think of the prodigal. They think of "sins". That's why they can't see the damnable Sin in the smiling Mormon, or the idolatrous SDA member. They see apparent law-keepers, as in the elder brother, but they can see that their outward "righteousness" is designed and practiced to keep themselves from God.
False religion (which can even be practiced within the walls of Evangelical churches) is a way in which the rebel keeps control of his own life by law-keeping. Like the Pharisee before him, the self-righteous ticks all of the boxes as he imagines himself worthy by doing so.
The gospel is the only cure for Sin, but cults have no gospel. They have special diets; special underwear, special days of the week. . . but they have no gospel. -
Yes, I think that there are secular cults, but they are not the subject of this thread. -
A hint of gnosticism. The desire to attain secret knowledge, that only the cult allegedly knows.
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2 Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy, and say unto them, even to the shepherds, Thus saith the Lord Jehovah: Woe unto the shepherds [Matthew 23] of Israel that do feed themselves! should not the shepherds feed the sheep?
3 Ye eat the fat, and ye clothe you with the wool, ye kill the fatlings; but ye feed not the sheep.
4 The diseased have ye not strengthened, neither have ye healed that which was sick, neither have ye bound up that which was broken, neither have ye brought back that which was driven away, neither have ye sought that which was lost; but with force and with rigor have ye ruled over them.
5 And they were scattered, because there was no shepherd; and they became food to all the beasts of the field, and were scattered.
6 My sheep wandered through all the mountains, and upon every high hill: yea, my sheep were scattered upon all the face of the earth; and there was none that did search or seek after them.
7 Therefore, ye shepherds, hear the word of Jehovah:
8 As I live, saith the Lord Jehovah, surely forasmuch as my sheep became a prey, and my sheep became food to all the beasts of the field, because there was no shepherd, neither did my shepherds search for my sheep, but the shepherds fed themselves, and fed not my sheep; Ezek 34
Wonder who the Lord's going to judge? The sheep that were driven away or those that drove them away? -
Some are deceived, but some have their eyes wide open, and yet do the unthinkable following after cult leaders.
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James 3 speaks to this and most people stop at "Be not many masters..." James then speaks of the tongue and if we are not careful, we miss the fact he speaks on the realities of the tongue "Leading people astray."
Our Lord Jesus speaks to this as well (In several places) and one of my favorite passages is Matthew 9:
36 But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd. 37 Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. 38 Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.”
Now, the passage you quote has significance in its original context: Babylonian Captivity. The Question is, do we want to spiritualize this passage and depart from the historical-grammatical hermeneutic and apply it to cult members and their leaders? -
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The give away is at least one requirement above and beyond the gospel always dictated by a departed human being which of course nullifies the true gospel.
HankD -
Examining any group for orthodoxy is a simple examining its gospel. Where this task becomes tricky is that cults often have practices which negate their faith-statements. In other words, they may soun very close to orthodox on an official document but the experience of the person in the pew is another story all together. -
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This also demonstrates that official statements of doctrine from the SDA are meaningless in determining the "functional" doctrines of the SDA. Dis the guy at the oil change place get his ideas from the official doctrinal statement of the SDA, or from his pastor, week after week?
The SDA proclaims a "gospel" of works; therefore, it is not to be numbered with Christian denominations. It is to be avoided. -
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Martin Luther
John Wycliffe
John Hus
Huldrych Zwigli
William Tyndale
John Calvin
John Smyth
All are part of the cult of Protestantism. Yes indeed, why are people drawn to this major cult? -
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