T.D. Jakes is UPC, and I assume the other person you mentioned is also. This just sounds like a repackaging of heavy shepherding. I understand TD Jakes if seeking to mainstream so must have made at least some cosmetic changes - because that is what they usually are. In any case, a father-son relationship can only succeed if love, respect and trust are foundational and growing. The relatio
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

In response to Richard on Satantic Ritual Abuse - The hype was spread by a group of social workers who trained others to suspect and look for evidence of Satanic Ritual Abuse. To my knowledge, there has been no evidence uncovered; there was one famous phoney ritual abusee who now claims to be a Holocoust survivor - I forgot the name. This is part of the recovered memories symdrome, and also chi
Forum: Destructive Churches

Does anyone have an info or experience with a group called MasterBuilders? They have churches all over the world, appear to be heavy shepherding, annointed apostle etc. I saw their website, any other info or personal contact?
Forum: Destructive Churches

Simon the Cyrene who carried the cross of Jesus was black. Could I ask why you use the term Xian?
Forum: Hate Groups

There is a very good book called "One Blood" which demonstrates both biblically and scientifically that there is only one race, the human race. It is by Ken Ham of There is no biblical support for the concept that Ham became black. According to Genesis, the curse fell on Canaan, Ham's son, not on Ham. I did some research in Alfred Edersheim's "Bible History,
Forum: Hate Groups

I would like to see Sterling Guys' wife post and see what she thinks of his personality "improvement." I would also enjoy seeing the the relative's of the poster who claims he now has better relationships tell their side of the story. Thanks.
Forum: Large Group Awareness Training, "Human Potential"

It seems like you are looking for confirmation of what you already know in your heart to be true, that something is off in the group you mentioned. The first thing I do is look for the fruit of a teaching or a group; is it loving, does it help people grow and mature, does it lift up Jesus or does it lift up men or a man, does it serve others or does it exploit others? Slaying in the spirit
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Well maybe they took artistic liscense for the sake of the story. I thought the Chassidim were the one's where the Rebbe has total control over the lives of his people. But it is quite touching and beautifully done and some say a treatise on feminism and religion.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

I walked through Mea Shearim, properly covered of course:D and noticed a small tourist group walking through. Some yeshiva bouchers attacked this man and his wife and I heard it was because the man had rested his arm on his wife's shoulder for a moment. You should go to Blockbuster and rent the movie. It is quite touching and well done. And your Hebrew is likely far better than mine so
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Sorry to burst the bubble guys, but Bush has operatives on his staff who's job is to con the evangelical Christian community, using all the right terminology. And we sheep are a naive, trusting bunch, aren't we? All I can say is fool me once... IMHO, White House religion is like jailhouse religion, you see what they are really made of when they get out. I have a number of links, b
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Ah, but we are to beware of false prophets, wolves in sheeps clothing. John24, how do you know the difference between a sheep and a wolf in sheep's clothing? The knowledge could make a significant different in outcomes. If you are a foolish sheep, you and others could get eaten. Wolves in sheep's clothing are usually covered with the skins of the lambs they have devoured, but ofte
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

I just rented the movie K'vod, winner of Israeli film festival awards. It is a subtitled fascinating jouney into the world of the ultra-religious living in Mea Shearim in Jerusalem. I thought Richard would find it interesting, if you haven't already seen it. The only thing I found to be innaccurate were how attractive the 2 main female characters were - I guess a necessary fiction.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

I am reading the book, "Bush's Brain, How Karl Rove made George Bush Presidential." Fascinating.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

-continued- In addition to his media empire, Moon also owns a Jonestown-type compound in Brazil called New Hope. He has also invested in the sparsely-populated and impoverished Marshall Islands. He has infiltrated one of the secessionist movements fighting for independence for the Angolan enclave of Cabinda. Moon's favorites in Africa included some of the CIA's most reliable clients:
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

CounterPunch January 14, 2003 Moon Shadow The Rev, Bush & North Korea by WAYNE MADSEN When President Bush added North Korea to his list of "Axis of Evil" nations, the influence of the self-declared reincarnation of Jesus Christ, the "Reverend" Sun Myung Moon of the Unification Church, loomed largely over the White House decision-makin
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

I have an article about the Bush Moon connection re: North Korea. I am going to post the article in case the links are a problem. Maybe Bush could start a whole new fad that would rival the WWJD fad. Imagine, shirts, bumper stickers, buttons, all saying WWMD? What would Mohammed do? I wonder if I am going to get in trouble for this. I also am hunting for a good article I have about Bush
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Here are some of the requested quotes and links from another discussion list, I have more on the Bush/Moon connection. Seems this is always a lively topic on many lists. But I say, only two men can answer the question, "Bush's heart -- will we ever know it?" The Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and US President George W. Bush. In Matthew 12:34-35 Jesus preaches, "O
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Christian, how do you know this belief that George Bush is somehow led by God in his dealings is not part of the "strong delusion?" I have a number of links concerning statements Mr. Bush has made, like his condemnation of those who speak the truth about Islam, his honoring Moon, his belief that the Koran is the word of God. Maybe you have already made up your mind and are not inter
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

I agree with both of the above posts. A couple nights ago I ended up sitting next to a couple of Bush devotees and I might as well have been sitting next to a couple of devotees of the good Bush friend Moon. It wasn't that they supported his polices; they believed he had a mandate from God and was following it. An honest man or woman would likely find it impossible to get elected to pol
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Obviously, no human can see what is in another's heart, but our President has made it clear by his behavior and speech who it is he serves. I don't believe it is possible to be successful in politics in this day without compromise, lies, deceit... Richard, in reply to your discussion of the eye of the needle parable; just read the next verse. With man it is impossible, but with God
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Besides taking advantage of a person financially, Amway operates like most cults. If a family member doesn't support Amway, they are told to cut them out like a cancer, so people have cut ties to family. A person's upline is a sort of spiritual leader. Most of the money made in amway and other MLM's is not made by selling products but by selling members - i.e., training material
Forum: Multi Level Marketing and Commercial Schemes

British Israelism is the belief that the British are the 10 lost tribes of Israel. The doctrine has various expressions, some are antisemitic and others are not. I would be wary about any church that is not open about its beliefs, most have a statement of faith and list any organizations they are affliiated with. If the group is bigoted, they will probably justify their hatred of Blacks with
Forum: Destructive Churches

I would disagree with the above assessment of Martin and Diedre Bobgan and Psychoheresy Awareness Ministries. They do very careful research, exposing the many abuses of psychology such as recovered memories. One of the recommended books is Tina Dineen's "Manufacturing Victims." They also point out that 12 step groups are often cult-like and there is no empirical evidence that th
Forum: Destructive Churches

I took a picture of that grave stone when I was visiting Tombstone.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

I attended when I was 18 and found it very disturbing, I was too young and immature to separate the wheat from the chaff and there was a heck of a lot of chaff. Gothard told how he lived at home with his widowed mother and taught that all unmarried adults should do the same. I know this is common in many parts of the world, but his sounded like an unhealthy relationship. I never heard some of
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

I'm glad things are going well for you.
Forum: Destructive Churches

Maybe it is a self-fullfilling prophecy. Women who think all men are jerks end up with jerks, etc. Richard, you might think about why you are attracted to authoritarian type religious groups. For example, the Gothardites, like others, are looking for someone to make their decisions for them and take responsibility. Many of these groups idolize a leader. I've seen people who go from one
Forum: Destructive Churches

I think you need to just search things out on your own with an honest heart.
Forum: Destructive Churches

This is nothing new. When I was in Israel, all the way back in l986 a couple of John the Baptists were pointed out to me, along with other biblical figures. I guess Jerusalem attracts these types just like California does.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Peter Popov was the name of the evangelist with the ear microphone. I don't believe Jessica Hahn was raped.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"