I saw this and have to vent about a recent experience that fits right in. I noticed a post on a Christian Homeschooling board about a Twelve Tribes family in Germany. Homeschooling is illegal in Germany, and homeschoolers face fines, imprisonment and worse, having their children removed to be educated by the state. Some have fled the country, and know that upon return, their children could be
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

It might be helpful if you can communicate a bit about your cult background, so people understand where you are coming from, and not take it as a personal attack. That would lead others to try to be helpful, as opposed to defensive.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

SRF has a large center in Encinitas, CA. Pretty gardens, spacey staff. Yogananda didn't exactly starve, he was quite rotund. Oh, excuse me, that's pran, not blubber. This local group had some scandals not too far back, but I don't remember what the situation was. I remember some kids did the hyperventiliation thing in high school, but I was always too chicken.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Scientists and other academics, generally atheistic groups also have their gurus, dogma, methodology to keep the rank and file in line, excommunication rites and other cultic practices. Abuse, exploitation, control and all sorts of nasty things occur in every belief system, including the belief system that claims there is a lack of one. These are not practices that disappear by eliminating
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Saversnake: We usually are so busy with our lives we don't stop to realize how much we are influenced by the society(s) around us. There is no courage in leaving one camp for another. Dwelling outside the camp can be lonely. I've always been rather iconoclastic anyway. :lol: After 40 I can afford to be iconoclastic; I'm watching my young teen son eagerly seeking to conform t
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Annanias and Sephira: It is very clear that Annanias and Sephira were free to do what they wished with their property. To keep it or sell it. And they were free to keep all the money if sold. Their offense was deception. And a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession. (Act 5:1) And he kept back part of the price, his wife also knowing, and brought a certa
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Hello Yellowbreard, I've noticed that often the response of a cult victim is to turn to atheism, an angry, militant form of atheism. I'm assuming that the victim assumes that they are safe from the gurus of religion. Yet many cults are not religious, and the anti-god groups are quite cultic in themselves, even as they mock the unenlightened. In any case, it appears you are takin
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

I think what may happen is that when a person replies, the subscriber gets a reply email before the post is approved? I guess you must have had trouble, because previously once a poster had been around a bit and was approved, that person's posts were not moderated.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

I have a suggestion for the mods here. It is somewhat annoying to get a reply message, and then follow the link and find nothing new there. Maybe if posts are held until they can be viewed first, maybe the message should not arrive until that post is viewable.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

I tend to think that if you suspect a group is cult-like, it probably is.
Forum: Former Cult Members and Affected Families

Richard, I just read a very interesting book entitled, "Secrets of the Koran." Orianna Fallaci, Bat Yeor and others support what you are saying. The Muslim birthrate and immigration will soon transform Europe into Eurabia. Even in the US, watch for the dhimmitization of our culture and government. Another book, "The Soft Cage," details the history of surveillance, and e
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

In response to the question about the OT synagogue. The synagogue dynamics looked nothing like synagogues of today, in the same way that the NT church looked nothing like churches of today. Take a look at the situation where Jesus, as was his custom, went to the synagogue and began to expound upon the haftorah portion of the day from Isaiah. "The Spiirt of the Lord is upon me..."
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Follow the money. It is human nature for a man to seek to protect and increase his income and career status. When that becomes entwined with ministry, you end up with a conflict of interest. People have pointed out to me that it is biblically allowed to financially support those working in ministry. But it may not be beneficial. I see a biblical model of servants willing to support thems
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Partly, the system is bad. A person in power will do whatever is necessary to remain in power and increase his/her power and influence. A person who is paid will act to keep that payment and increase it. Removing the temptation of money and positional authority goes a long way towards avoiding, although not completely eliminating some of these situations.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Look for a new congregation? It might not be a bad idea. Can you ask friends personally for help, rather than going to the church? I wanted to comment on the "Who was the first church" question. As far as an organizational church that built buildings and had political power over people - that began with Constantine and developed into the RCC which split into two divisions. Th
Forum: Destructive Churches

Saddleback is part of the Church Growth Movement.
Forum: Destructive Churches

A man in my housechurch just told me about a couple of incidents where he knew that child molesting was covered up in churches. They were afraid of being sued, so they didn't warn other churchers where a possible perpetrator had gotten employment. I guess you have to keep your eyes open.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

I recommend Anton Hein's Apologetics Index/Religion News Blog.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

But a group can be cultic without even being religious.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Back in the l980's a group of men, Don Basham, Derek Prince and 3 others developed a network of "covenant churches." They got various independent churches to submit to them for "accountability." If you google Florida Five or "heavy shepherding" you will get some info, and I believe there is some on this site also.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

I haven't been here in a while, but I wanted to ask if anyone had any experience with John White's Denver house church overseeing organization. It looks to me like a reinvention of the 80's Florida Five heavy shepherding. I am part of a house church. Not that we would ever come under something like this, but it disturbs me. As soon as something exists that is free, independen
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Ditto. I think you are on the right track. The first step is to give up that habit of pastorbation. That wasn't my idea, a guy a the house church I go to came up with it.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Be sure to archive the posts. I know some people who have posted on cult boards, and have been attacked rather nastily, and then the thread disappears.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

I suppose the way we fight it is to help free the sheep from the wolves and back to the true shepherd. The bible says to come out from among her that we would not share her judgement. I have also seen the same thing to a lesser degree going on practically everywhere. I have decided to opt out of the institutional church and am part of a house church. That is not to say that house church
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

I think the behavior of the counselor was inappropriate and should be reported. A religious community of support can be very helpful for someone fighting addiction. They can provide support, prayer, practical help, feedback. This doesn't sound like a healthy group, it may be Oneness Pentecostal or another extreme group. To believe sickness is of the devil is one thing; to believe his chi
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

There is a MSI in San Marcos, north of San Diego, is that the one you are talking about? I heard the leader preach once. He didn't seem to be saying much, as far as teaching from the scriptures, just doing a lot of his own talking. Is your organization a counter-cult organization or aimed only at MSI? The fatherhood doctrine has no basis in biblical practice. Anyway, we aren�
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

I saw a group called Victory Outreach - they have thrift shops. Is this related? They claim to be involved in drug rehab, but it didn't seem right. Is this group cultic?
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Cults often try to appear innocuous. I know that many bible-based cults recruit at churches and other Christian spots - such as discussion boards. Right now a cult called Sound Doctrine, located in Enumclaw, Washington is planning to hold a conference called "New Wineskins." Several ex-members and those who are aware of the nature of this group have e-mailed the people they are renti
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

Daron's group is part of the True Names cult. One of the major leaders is Moshe Kornuichouski (sp) in Florida.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

What is Neverland Ranch - is it used to indoctrinate new recruits?
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"