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Date Posted: 21:51:34 06/15/02 Sat
Author: Don
Author Host/IP: 204.119.61.60
Subject: Hi... on cults
In reply to: Rev. Jack Howell 's message, "Re: I agree....read on" on 19:59:45 06/15/02 Sat

Hi,


I have read your post and many just like it concerning cults. I read it fast I may have
missed something.

In my opinion the only paragraph that had any bearing on cults was the last one that I
quote here--



“Some cults exercise strict control over their members, dictating practically every aspect
of their lives and failure to obey results in disfellowshipping (ex-communication) wherein
it is claimed that the leaders of such a group have the power to take away the salvation of
any who disobey or who question the group's teachings. Such a form of church
government is forbidden by scripture (1 Peter 5:3).”

Now 1 Peter 5:3 has nothing to do with cults and held alone is not a bad religious verse it
can apply to most anything. Good example for decency and excellent social behavior--I
am all in favor for that.

1 Peter 5
3 Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.

The Pope himself, is not considered as LORD, but a servant, and is a good example to the
flock. So it is reported from the Catholics. And many Christians are called “servants of
god” even though they are leaders by full definition so tittles are not a way or a means to
define what a cult is. NO I am not diminishing the Catholics at this time.

There is nothing gained here as a definition of what cults are by stating doctrine imv.
Cults can be made out of most anything belief system.


What you have effectively done is said that all other groups, organizations, political
parties, cultures, religious organizations, The boy scouts, public schools, corporations,
science organizations, Birth day parties, are all cults EXCEPT Orthodox religion as
defined by your list of doctrine statements and bible beliefs.

I am not disputing your religious doctrine beliefs. They do not define what a cult is. For
the words meaning is by far larger than a statement of your beliefs. And you may not be a
cult, from church to church, to organization, to organization. who am I to know. I have
not examined them all. Nor am I accusing. What I am saying is you have only offered a
small part of a definition.

I could equally say all who believe in evolution will never become a cult, for it has no
doctrine, it is but a theory with some evidence used to explain a possible happening. No
where does it say all that do not believe in evolution shall go to hell.

This exclusiveness is part of a cultic mental system but it is a matter of degrees. Cults are
extreme.


What about these ideas... How do they sit with you.


Sacred Science. The group's doctrine or ideology is considered to be the ultimate
Truth, beyond all questioning or dispute. Truth is not to be found outside the group.
The leader, as the spokesperson for God or for all humanity, is likewise above
criticism.

Loading the Language. The group interprets or uses words and phrases in new
ways so that often the outside world does not understand. This jargon consists of
thought-terminating clichés which serve to alter members' thought processes to
conform to the group's way of thinking.


Don

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