Did Tony ever imply that he has god-like powers or characteristics? Does he behave as though he ''knows'' or ''understands''...the thoughts and motives of his followers? I think many of these leaders do that and it implies a god-like power.
Forum: Destructive Churches

That is an interesting link. Does the author of Captive Hearts, Captive Minds discuss much about the cult leaders use of children? I think it is interesting to study how these gurus attract adults but; I worry that the bigger crime jis when these gurus bring in and raise up as many children as possible. The cult that I was raised in was a big proponent of large families and they even had famil
Forum: Destructive Churches

One more example. Let's say I believe aliens are invading. You don't. Fine. Now lets say I convince you to give me 100 dollars so I can build a bunker cause I'm scared of the aliens. Maybe you don't believe me...but I"m so distraut you give me money for my cause...to help alleviate my nerves. That's all fine. Two people. Different beliefs. Getting along...no
Forum: Destructive Churches

Coolhermit and Transparent, The mention of the Apostle Paul is for those who DO believe the Bible. It is not intended to prosletize. The point of comparing teachings of Hagee-type cult leaders who USE the Bible; to the actual biblical writings, is to point out their phoniness. It is fine if you do NOT believe Paul's writings. No crime in that. It is just fine. It is also fine if you DO
Forum: Destructive Churches

Dear Coolhermit, I believe the poster is describing the way in which Bickle's jesus differs from the one who Paul preached. With all due respect, the fact that you do not believe in the one Paul preached is of very little signifigance to those who do. The point of the post is not that ''the Jesus of the Bible is real'' but that, for those who DO believe Paul's
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

HI Rich, I was at Shoresh also. I thought about suing my mom. She still tries coming to my home to sabotage and destroy any piece of normalcy that I have. You at least graduated from school. I was in all advance classes and an A student when I was only 15. I could have gone to any college. Of course, that would have cost $$$ for ''mom''...so...what did she do? She manipulated
Forum: Abusive and Controlling Relationships

HI. I know for a fact, an absolute fact of personal experience, that manipulative controlling and narcissistic people DO BENEFIT from therapy but NOT like you would think. These people are adaptable. They have chamelian like charm. When in therapy they learn from the therapist how to 'act like' a therapist in order to manipulate and control others.
Forum: "Cults," Sects, and "New Religious Movements"

And the worse thing about these 'mind control' people is how they judge, actually judge your thoughts. It goes on in main stream churches even. You know, the psycho babble. You have a car accident or something and some spiritual guru is telling you how you should have ''thought'' more possitively prior to the accident...and then the negative event would not have occu
Forum: Abusive and Controlling Relationships

Respect for authority and law but not for self appointed leaders! Yes exactly. I have tried to put it in those terms. I call self appointed leaders 'self righteous'. They just use their own desires, likes and dislikes, to determine what is right. No thanks. Who made them an authority. I'll stick to the basic universal laws you know... don't steal, kill, etc. They can all keep
Forum: Abusive and Controlling Relationships

Also tell him to read the book of Romans. Christians are NOT anti-state. Also...I forgot....don't TELL him anything. If it's really a cult he'll get defensive. It's best to ask a question like....''what do you think of the fact that blah blah blah....''. Try not to act like you know better. Cult leaders convince their followers that they have superior kno
Forum: Destructive Churches

Rhonda can you explain to your son that ''hate'' does not mean to ''abhor''. The word is used to mean 'prefer less'. In other words tell him to read abut Leah and Racheal. The Bible says Jacob ''hated'' Leah. Well clearly in context it means he ''prefered'' her less than Racheal. Jacob clearly loved Leah as
Forum: Destructive Churches

The reason why I left was because I was praying and seeking God for answers and following what I believed to be the Holy Spirit in my daily decision-making process and then I would be admonished for not talking to my discipler first and getting her approval. It occured to me after lying in bed and thinking for hours that the Holy Spirt was being stifled in my life and that my discipler had essent
Forum: Destructive Churches

Fishbulb wrote: My question to the channellers would be, How do you know this spirit is who they say they are? I mean, everybody dies, including crooks, psychopaths, lawyers, wannabe cult leaders, everybody. How do you know this entity is, in fact, a benevolent fount of spiritual wisdom? How do you know they aren't a con? ---------------------------------------------------------------
Forum: Coercive Persuasion and Undue Influence

I'm not up on my history. Does anyone know what the history of these Muslim nations has been? Were they relatively peaceful prior to the rise of Western Civilization? What were they doing...say....1000 years ago?
Forum: Terrorist and Extremist Groups

HI Jack, Modern Christianity is different than other monotheistic religions in that the modern Christian believes that the one Creator God ''manifested'' himself in the person of Jesus. We believe that Jesus was a part of God in the same way that my own hand is a part of me. My hand ''is'' me...yet is a ''seperate'' entity. So the &
Forum: Hate Groups

HI Jack, Which is the text that you were quoting from? They mention Christians being the first to insist on one god....? Monotheism is also a Jewish and Islamic concept. Also...it is not ''our'' god...because the Christian God is the Creator of the Universe. Christians pray to what we believe is ''everybody's'' Creator. Perhaps they were reffering
Forum: Hate Groups

Hi Jack, We did get way off topic. I'm going to try and steer the discussion back to Wicca but first, let me say sincerely that we are not saying anything so different really. Definitely a belief in the Bible takes a leap of faith. I never deny that. I love the public library. You are right in that science can validate anything and....my 'faith' causes me to favor the evidence
Forum: Hate Groups

The Hitler youth were children. A seven year old Iranian who blows himself up for Allah is a child. But there does come a time when society has the responsibility of acknowledging a young man as a young man. An individual preparing to celebrate his/or her eighteenth birthday has earned the right to be called a young man/woman. To do otherwise is demeaning.
Forum: Terrorist and Extremist Groups

HI Jack, The question is sort of random. I'm projecting a little. I actually 'want' to believe in a benevolent Creator and sometimes assume that everyone else does as well. I hadn't heard that Thessalonians was the first NT book. I did hear that John's gospel was written in 90AD. I also find it interesting that many scholars think the first of all the books was Job, e
Forum: Hate Groups

Baptists were originally referred to as 'ana'baptists because ana means 're' and they were 're'baptising persons that the church had already baptised as infants. This was considered an offense against the principals and sovereignty of the church. As to analogies, metaphors and poetry yes..without them the Bible could not exist. Hypothetically speaking...would you
Forum: Hate Groups

There is difference between a person or group of people who think they are superior and a belief in ones religion as superior. If ones religion says ''love thy neighbor'' and the practioner finds that to be a superior ideology....so what?
Forum: Hate Groups

Society's view of beauty certainly has changed. I read once that the archetype of feminine beauty in each society over the years is somehow a reflection of wealth. Back in the day when poor women worked hard long hours in the hot sun and barely ate...pale and voluptuous women were considered beautiful. This is because they could afford to sit indoors and eat. Now in our society an indication
Forum: Hate Groups

HI Jack, I sort of skimmed over what you wrote. I'm going to go back and read it in better detail later. I just want to say quickly that I agree with Yasmin, this Landover Baptist site must be a hoax. I'm a Baptist and I have never and...seriuosly I mean not EVER heard any derogatory comment ever made about ''witches''. I know that to practice wicca is contrary
Forum: Hate Groups

Also Jack I did not know that a meaning for wicca was 'to bend' and; I find that interesting...I am genuine about that. You know when I became interested in the Bible one of the first things I did was to go to the library, to find out all I could about Egypt. I read about Mesopotania(the land between the rivers). Loving the Bible doesn't make a person reject history. The history of
Forum: Hate Groups

I am genuine about my query. I do know about the relationship of Christian symbols to pagan ones. But the other stuff I'm really curious about. I know 'wicca' also means wise because I took a college course titled ''The History of Wicca''. Some colleges actually do offer those courses you know. I don't mind a pseudo-religious debate. Actually I didn't
Forum: Hate Groups

Hi Jack, My thoughts on black being beautiful is that....I think black is beautiful. Why? You don't? As to other skin types, I think they are also beautiful. You know, a tulip doesn't lose it's beauty because it is engulfed by a violet and/or rose. The beauty of a flower is often enhanced by others. Human beauty is not so different. That's just me. I like variety. But it&
Forum: Hate Groups

Only one Biblical reference to skin color that I can found is in Song of songs chapter 1. Solomon's lover says ''I am black...." Solomon goes on to describe her as the fairest of all women so... According to the Bible we can say that black really is beautiful.
Forum: Hate Groups

Ham was Noah's son and he had several children. One of them was Cain and that particular (cursed) grandchild of Noah was anscestor to Caananites. Caananites ceased to be a people...they were destroyed or absorbed. Raahab...was a Caananite. She is also an anscestor to Jesus.
Forum: Hate Groups

HI Jack, Do you have any links to news stories, etc. about the tyrannical Christians which annihilated,pilaged and raped the heritage of wiccans and...also...do you know any survivors of the atrocities?
Forum: Hate Groups

The following is an excerpt from the book "Captive Hearts, Captive Minds" by Madeleine Landau Tobias and Janja Lalich. See other "Resources and Links" for ordering information. The Master Manipulator Let us look for a moment at how some of this manifests in the cult leader. Cult leaders have an outstanding ability to charm and win over followers. They beguile an
Forum: Coercive Persuasion and Undue Influence