Robin, you said: "I kinda get the feeling that you think that truth equals large numbers of believers...if you believe something that hardly anyone else believes, then it cant be true ... am I right assuming that?"
If you can be honest with yourself Robin, the doctrine of UR (Universal Reconciliation) is quite popular and particularly today, there are many internet based teachers and ministries which promote this doctrine. On Wikipedia, under the heading/article of "Universal Reconciliation," I read the following:
In 2008, the Russian Orthodox bishop Hilarion Alfeyev of Vienna, in his presentation at the First World Apostolic Congress of Divine Mercy (held in Rome in 2008), argued that God's mercy is so great that He does not condemn sinners to everlasting punishment.Mike Vinson and IWWB do not stand out because of this one fact and nor do I believe or think that belief in UR qualifies one as a "cult."
What led me to believe IWWB is cult-like was the careful analysis of other teachings within the group, and more importantly, the behavior Mike and others within IWWB engage in. A small sample of these beliefs would be:
True believers do not vote and have no involvement with the government.
Birthdays, Christmas, Easter, Anniversaries and Valentines Day et al are "off the table" for a true disciple.
The teaching that true disciples are to be totally "hated of all men" including one's family and spouse, if need be.
Evil acts including child molestation, genocide, rapes, domestic violence and pedophilia are actually "God's wonderful works" towards his children and rather than being random, are specifically scripted by God.
With regards to "black and white thinking," I do not engage in that any longer. I understand that not everything has a yes or no answer and nor can it be decided by referencing a magic book which has all the answers. Life just isn't that simple. However, here is Mike Vinson stating just the opposite. He says:
"Christians don't compromise! There is no compromise! There is no such thing as grey areas, in Christ's way of doing things. It's all black and white, black and white." Here is a YouTube link to that audio: [
youtu.be]