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Posted by: Aardvark ()
Date: August 16, 2019 06:11PM

Puddington,
Well said, but I stand by my previous statements. This issue is complex because it is largely theological and would require a long winded biblical debate. The first question here is whether one believes as the charismatics do, for example, that God can and still does many of the same things that He did in the Bible. If you don’t believe that than any claim to a present supernatural manifestation can be viewed as the occult (I believe this is Nicol’s perspective).

On the other hand, if you generally believe and expect manifestations of the Holy Spirit in the church today then many of the things you named are not a problem (notwithstanding the Nephilim thing). It is then contingent upon the one witnessing the event to discern the spirit behind it. Is it the Spirit of God or another spirit?

Nothing that happened in the blessins is nearly as strange as the things that Jesus and the apostles did (I never saw JRS spit on someone’s tongue to heal him). The British preacher Smith Wigglesworth, in the early 20th century, did many things stranger than JRS.

I suspect you have a more conservative view of spiritual things. That’s OK, we don’t hold it against you. There’s room for all here.

Question: were you at the blessins? If so, did you find the Lord there like hundreds of others? Or did you see the occult in operation?

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Cult Education Institute

Destructive Cult Dynamics

What types of people become leaders of unsafe and/or destructive groups?
Many cult leaders seem to be narcissistic personalities often fantasizing about messianic visions that will change the course of human history, while appearing to have little if any conscience. Some make claims that they are the exclusive voice of God, "psychic" connections to historical figures, or aliens from outer space. Often these leaders seem deeply delusional and disturbed and some have been called psychopaths. Marshall Applewhite, the leader of "Heaven's Gate" was once confined to a mental hospital.

Extreme examples of destructive and delusional behavior by cult leaders such as Jim Jones, David Koresh and Shoko Asahara have caused many mental health professionals to question their sanity. Still others simply may be opportunistic con men or women, exploiting their followers for personal profit and self-interest.

What kind of relationship do destructive group leaders have with their followers?
The leadership most often defines what is right and wrong and group followers are essentially expected to defer making meaningful value judgments regarding almost any issue of significant importance. And any member of the group who questions or doubts the authority of the leader is likely to be labeled wrong, rebellious, suppressive, negative and in some situations even "demon possessed" or "satanic".

No area of a member or follower's life appears to be immune from such a group's scrutiny and/or criticism. A kind of learned dependency often develops. Group followers appear highly dependent upon their leaders to resolve problems and provide them with an ongoing sense of clarity and purpose.

Are there any meaningful boundaries in such relationships?
No. It seems that most destructive cult leaders do not provide appropriate boundaries regarding the relationship they have with their followers. Because of this and other factors such as learned dependency, thought reform and little if any meaningful accountability, a formula for abuse and exploitation often exists in such group relationships.

Also, the adulation of followers may have a negative impact upon the leader(s), almost like an intoxicating and addictive drug. This may deepen a codependent relationship between the leader and his or her followers. And such virtual worship may also provide seeming proof to some cult leaders that their grandiose delusions of greatness, power and absolute authority are true. The more obedience and adulation such leaders receive, the more they may want and eventually require. This may then become the foundation for ever-escalating bizarre and/or destructive behavior.