[Vision2020] IDENTIFYING A CULT [Was Debate or Coward?]

[Art Deco]

IDENTIFYING A CULT
Copyright 1985, 1991 Jan Groenveld

  1.. SECULAR DEFINITION 
  2.. CHRISTIAN DEFINITION 
  3.. UNIVERSAL DEFINITION 
  4.. OTHER IDENTIFICATION MARKS 
  5.. HOW THEY DO THIS 
  6.. SOME ABUSES OF RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS: 
  7.. RESULTS OF THIS ABUSE 
  8.. SUMMARY 
There has been much confusion about cults and how to 'pickem'.
Some have difficulty identifying a cult because it is not so easy to identify one that is not even religious. For this reason, over the years, different definitions of what actually is a cult have developed to make it easier when you know little about their beliefs.

The different definitions:


SECULAR DEFINITION
CULT - From the Latin "cultis" which denotes all that is involved in worship, ritual, emotion, liturgy and attitude. This definition actually denotes what we call denominations and sects and would make all religious movements a cult. 


CHRISTIAN DEFINITION

CULT - Any group which deviates from Biblical, orthodox, historical Christianity. e.i. They deny the Deity of Christ; His physical resurrection; His personal and physical return to earth and salvation by FAITH alone. 

This definition only covers those groups which are cults within the Christian religion. It does not cover cults within other world religions such as Islam and Hinduism. Nor does it cover Psychological, Commercial or Educational cults which do not recognize the Bible as a source of reality. 


UNIVERSAL DEFINITION

CULT - Any group which has a pyramid type authoritarian leadership structure with all teaching and guidance coming from the person/persons at the top. The group will claim to be the only way to God; Nirvana; Paradise; Ultimate Reality; Full Potential, Way to Happiness etc, and will use thought reform or mind control techniques to gain control and keep their members. This definition covers cults within all majopr world religions, along with those cults which have no OBVIOUS religious base such as commercial, educational and psychological cults. Others may define these a little differently, but this is the simplest to work from. THE 'ORTHODOX BIBLE-BASED CULT' 

A group is called a cult because of their behaviour - not their doctrines. Doctrine is an issue in the area of Apologetics and Heresy. Most religious cults do teach what the Christian church would declare to be heresy but some do not. Some cults teach the basics of the Christian faith but have behavioural patterns that are abusive, controlling and cultic. 

This occurs in both Non-Charismatic and Charismatic churches. These groups teach the central doctrines of the Christian faith and then add the extra authority of leadership or someone's particular writings. They centre around the interpretations of the leadership and submissive and unquestioning acceptance of these is essential to be a member of good standing. This acceptance includes what we consider non-essential doctrines e.i. not salvation issues (such as the Person and Work of Christ.) The key is that they will be using mind control or undue influence on their members. 

An excellent book on this subject is "Churches that Abuse" by Dr Ronald Enroth. 

Using these guidelines of definition, Bible-based, Psychological, Educational and Commercial aberrations can easily be identified. 


OTHER IDENTIFICATION MARKS

(a) The group will have an ELITIST view of itself in relation to others, and a UNIQUE CAUSE. e.i. THEY ARE THE ONLY ONES RIGHT - everyone else is wrong. THEY ARE THE ONLY ONES DOING GOD'S WILL - everyone else is in apostasy. 

(b) They will promote their cause actively, and in doing so, abuse God-given personal rights and freedoms. This abuse can be THEOLOGICAL, SPIRITUAL, SOCIAL & PSYCHOLOGICAL. 



HOW THEY DO THIS


  1.. Their leader/s may claim a special, exclusive ministry, revelation or position of authority given by God. 

  2.. They believe they are the only true church and take a critical stance regarding the Christian church while at the same time praising and exalting their own group, leader/s and work. 

  3.. They use intimidation or psychological manipulation to keep members loyal to their ranks. This could be in the form of threats of dire calamity sent by God if they leave; certain death at Armageddon; being shunned by their family and friends etc. This is a vital part of the mind control process. 

  4.. Members will be expected to give substantial financial support to the group. This could be compulsory tithing (which is checked); signing over all their property on entering the group; coercive methods of instilling guilt on those who have not contributed; selling magazines, flowers or other goods for the group as part of their "ministry". 

  5.. At the same time bible-based cults may ridicule churches that take up free-will offerings by passing collection plates and/or sell literature and tapes. They usually brag that they don't do this. This gives outsiders the intimation that they are not interested in money. 

  6.. There will be great emphasis on loyalty to the group and its teachings. The lives of members will be totally absorbed into the group's activities. They will have little or no time to think for themselves because of physical and emotional exhaustion. This is also a vital part of the mind control process. 

  7.. There will be total control over almost all aspects of the private lives of members. This control can be direct through communal living, or constant and repetitious teaching on "how to be a true Christian" or "being obedient to leadership". Members will look to their leaders for guidance in everything they do. 

  8.. Bible-based cults may proclaim they have no clergy/laity distinction and no paid ministry class - that they are all equal. 

  9.. Any dissent or questioning of the group's teachings is discouraged. Criticism in any form is seen as rebellion. There will be an emphasis on authority, unquestioning obedience and submission. This is vigilantly maintained. 

  10.. Members are required to demonstrate their loyalty to the group in some way. This could be in the form of "dobbing" on fellow members (including family) under the guise of looking out for "spiritual welfare". 
  They may be required to deliberately lie (heavenly deception/theocratic strategy) or give up their lives by refusing some form of medical treatment. 


  11.. Attempts to leave or reveal embarrassing facts about the group may be met with threats. Some may have taken oaths of loyalty that involve their lives or have signed a "covenant" and feel threatened by this. 
  Refugees of the group are usually faced with confrontations by other members with coercion to get them to return to the group. 


SOME ABUSES OF RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS:-

1. ABUSE OF INDIVIDUALITY They adopt a "groupness" mentality. They are not permitted to think for themselves apart from the group and only accept what they are told. 

2. ABUSE OF INTIMACY Relationships with friends, relatives, spouses, children, parents etc are broken or seriously hampered. 

3. ABUSE OF FINANCES Pressure to give all you can to the group. In non-communal groups, members usually live at the lower socio-economic strata, not because of a lower income level, but because they are always giving money to the group for some reason. 

4. "US VERSUS THEM" MENTALITY Isolation from the community in general. Anyone and everything outside the group is seen as "of the devil" or "unenlightened" etc. Their enemies now include former friends; the Christian church; governments; education systems; the media - the world in general. Those who are involved with these in any way see such involvement as a "means to an end". 

5. ABUSE OF TIME AND ENERGY The group controls and uses almost all the members time and energy in group activities. They are usually in a constant state of mental and physical exhaustion. 

6. ABUSE OF FREE WILL They must unquestioning submit to the groups teachings and directions and their own free will is broken. Their "will" actually becomes the groups "will" without their realizing it. This is done either by coercive methods including low protein diets and lack of sleep, or over a period of time through intimidation. Both methods make heavy use of "guilt". 


RESULTS OF THIS ABUSE 

  1.. PERSONALITY CHANGES 
  Relatives will say they no longer recognize the person. From a warm, loving personality will come heaped abuse, rejection and feelings of hate. The cult member sees himself as "righteous" in comparison and this comes across in their attitude toward all outsiders. 

  2.. LOSS OF IDENTITY 
  They cannot see themselves as individuals apart from the group. Some even change their name as a rejection of their former life. 

  3.. PARANOID - WE ARE BEING PERSECUTED 
  Any time you say anything negative about the group, whether justified or no, it is regarded as "persecution". Any criticism of the individual is also seen as persecution only because they are the "true Christian" or "enlightened" one - not because they, as an individual, have done the wrong thing. However, at the same time they will feel free to criticise whatever you believe, say and do because they are "the only ones who are right". 

  4.. SOCIAL DISORIENTATION 
  They lose their ability to socialize outside the group. This can go so far as to not being able to structure their time or make simple decisions for themselves when they leave. 
  Their world-view alters and they perceive the world through their leaders eyes. They become very naive about life in general. 


  5.. SEVERE GUILT COMPLEXES 
  They are made to feel guilty of everything they did before entering the group and are to strive to be "good" and "worthy" for "eternal life". Misdemeanors are made into "mountains" so that members are in a constant state of guilt for infringing even the most minor rules. Guilt comes because they aren't doing enough; entertaining doubts or questions; even thinking rationally for oneself. 
  This guilt is piled upon pile with new rules constantly being laid down about what is sinful and what is not. Illness may be seen as lack of faith - more guilt. Emotional illness may be seen as proof of sin in your life - more guilt. 


SUMMARY

Not all these points will be found in every cult, but all cults will have some if not most of them, although these may vary to some degree. 


Copyright 1985, 1991 Jan Groenveld 
Internet Address: py1013 at student.uq.edu.au 
Mail: PO Box 2444 Mansfield Q 4122 Australia

Reproduction is permitted only if text is intact. The above identifying information must be left intact. 

----- Original Message ----- 
From: Michael 
To: vision2020 at moscow.com 
Cc: donovanjarnold2005 at yahoo.com 
Sent: Friday, October 06, 2006 12:54 PM
Subject: [Vision2020] Debate or Coward?


Donavan,

 

I think it has been characteristic for you to turn the real situation upside down.  The Kirk as an isolated, special group of people, as a specially bounded culture, is the product of Wilson and then the product of the resulting Kirk itself. Who, for instance, came up with the very idea of 'the Kirk?' The Kirk is what has drawn its own walls around itself, at times in explicit ways.  The idea of any possible criticism of Doug Wilson qua Doug Wilson or even just a criticism of something he said is constantly turned into a persecuting attack against an identifiable "group" by the Kirk and by Wilson himself. All this originates with the pseudo-cult leader himself.  On the sociological level, this is why your analysis breaks down to the degree it does.  The Kirk is not "a religion" at this point in time but a cult; this is how it always goes with such small cults.  It is the cult leader who creates the boundary of the social group while society looks on with curiosity or else criticism.  The foundation of a cult like this is the manufactured, isolated 'culture;' it is the sociology of the thing.  "Persecution" is the imaginative construct the cult leader intentionally gives to any arbitrary dynamic between the group and people outside the group.  The real mechanism here is a social one; "religion" is always just a tool the cult leader uses for his social goals.  I'm sure there are analogies to be drawn this way or that to religious wars, etc, and there might be true subtleness to your account that this paragraph does not capture. But certainly, the connotations of your claims of religious persecution give more darkness than light to the situation.

 

Thanks

Michael Metzler 

  

 

Joe,

If that is what you meant, then why not say that. I am willing to bet there are numerous differences in religious beliefs between you and Doug Wilson and those that attack him.

One I can think of is his dispersion of alcohol to children during a religious ceremony. There was big stink over that. 

Another is their believes about homosexuality. I recall you having a few posts in response of that.

Another has been the role of women in Christ Church many of you have attacked. 

Another has been if the Church deserves tax free status, like other Churches. 

Another is Slavery.

Another is Calvinism. 

I do think you bring up a good point though, Joe. I don't ever remember hearing any speeches by Hitler stating precisely any problems he has with Judaism, but I don't think anyone would argue he didn't persecute them for being Jewish. 

If you attack a group of people and use their church as their identifying marker, such as, "Kirkers are", "All Catholics are",  "Mormons have", etc, that is religious discrimination, regardless of how much or little you get into the details of that church. 

Your statement,
"As far as I can tell, all of us are on the same team, e.g., we're all Christians."

Shows a complete misunderstanding of religious persecution and ignorance of the history of religious persecution. For over a thousand years Christians have attacked other Christians, Protestants and Catholics. The actual differences between Catholics and Protestants in practice is so tiny it takes a good long theological debate to find them. 

When you treat any group or people, or person, differently because of a church they belong to, that is religious discrimination. Period. 

Best,

_DJA 


Joe Campbell <joekc at adelphia.net> wrote: 

I have looked at his blog. I've talked to him personally about this and other issues. More to the point, I'm not making accusations about Michael's character that I have failed to even attempt to support. 

So no, Donovan, you are the one who needs to get clear on these issues. If you want to suggest that all of this is a matter of religious persecution, then please tell me the particular differences in RELIGIOUS views between Michael and Doug Wilson. Or between Keely and Doug Wilson. Or between J Ford and Doug Wilson. Or even between myself and Doug Wilson, for that matter. If you can't do this, then stop making those accusations.

As far as I can tell, all of us are on the same team, e.g., we're all Christians. I'm not saying that there aren't differences here, I just don't see how one can classify them as RELIGIOUS differences. If you are going to say that they are religious differences, then support the claim in some way.

--
Joe Campbell

---- Donovan Arnold wrote: 

=============
Joe,

Might I suggest you take at look at his blog or ask him yourself.

Best,

_DJA

Joe Campbell wrote: I'm just wondering, Donovan, what exactly are the RELIGIOUS beliefs that folks at CC endorse with which Michael disagrees?

Best, Joe

---- Donovan Arnold wrote: 

=============
Michael,

I really think you need to find a new hobby besides bashing members of a church you disagree with. It cannot be healthy.

Yes, I am sure you can find lots of outrageous, offense, frustrating, and arguably unfair beliefs and practices of Christ Church. But you know, they are by far not the biggest or worst religion. And they also do a lot of good for the community. 

Take my church for example. It is headed by a former Nazi who later masterminded a conspiracy to protect the largest number of child molesters in the United States by moving them around from parish to parish. He oppresses woman, and preaches that gays are immoral. He has more followers than any other religion, including in this town. There is another religion that kills homosexuals and launches violent attacks against people that even draw a cartoon of their God. 

Nobody is forcing you to believe or practice what you want. And likewise, nobody has to justify their personal religious beliefs and actions to you. If you don't agree with their words and actions you are free to join another religion or start one of your own. 

Best,

_DJA


Michael wrote: st1\:*{behavior:url(#default#ieooui) } Donavan! What are you saying?

Story line again:

Kirkers insult community; Kirkers have big theonomist, take over eschatology. 

Community critiques Kirkers as any community would.

Kirkers unable to rationally defend themselves against criticism; they instead lie.

Kirkers continue to insult. 

Insults mount from both directions, and through all the smoke, not one meaningful and true response is found from the Kirk.

This is the story, and this is my point.

You, Donavan, are becoming more mysterious as the months drag on. But hey, thatââ,¬â"¢s ok; Iââ,¬â"¢ll still be your friend. Even if you just might have defending the Naziââ,¬â"¢s against the persecution from the Jews! And remember, I still have friends in the Kirk. Call me Shindlerââ,¬Â¦.

Michael


Michael,

You wrote:

"Does not anyone at the Kirk have a rational, argumentative point to be made about the constant and varied public criticism against them?"

Like I said, I think you guys should just take your case to the city council to require all members of Christ Church be given a giant bright yellow star to wear on their arm so we can easily recognize them.

Best,

_DJA 

Michael wrote: 

Lucy Jones writes:



ââ,¬Å"If it's not interesting, you could *advertise* it on V2020 the way other bloggers do who need more

attention.ââ,¬Â


I am unceasingly dumfounded at how kirkers can continue to make veiled and slanderous comments even when they are continually exposed for what they are. Just this morning I located another kirk blog linked to my site that revealed yet another misquote. Dale Cortney still refuses to pull an intentional misquote from my blog that has now been up for months. This is amazing. After 8 months, and every kirk attack has been in the form of bald falsehood, nonsensical ridicule, or else strong critique of strawed-man quotes ripped out of context. Does not anyone at the Kirk have a rational, argumentative point to be made about the constant and varied public criticism against them? Outside of the silly ââ,¬Å"persecutionââ,¬Â ploy?

As for this quote: this has become one of the steady anti-pooh mantras that kirkers sooth themselves with. So please allow me just this one time to quickly and modestly point out the relevant fact that my readership is as strong as Peter Leithartââ,¬â"¢s; you might recall how Wilson boasted about Leithartââ,¬â"¢s blog in his sermon when explaining why he was the truly anointed one in Moscow. Apparently, the kind of ââ,¬Å"interestââ,¬Â Leithartââ,¬â"¢s blog gets is evidence for the fact that YHWH will defend the Kirk against its local enemies; I guess I now have evidence that YHWH is routing for me too. In sum, I certainly havenââ,¬â"¢t sent links to Vision 2020 to keep a ââ,¬Å"neededââ,¬Â readership (putting aside the claims that I have a mental disorder); I just like local readership more than non-local, given the common topic of my blog (which, by the way, is only about 40% Kirk stuff these days). 

Dear kirkers, say something true and meaningful. 

Sincerely,
Michael Metzler 
www.poohsthink.com 


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