Tuesday, 17 August 2010

IDENTIFYING A CULT

Unfortunately in this stressful day and Age many more have sought refuge in cults


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. 

Anyone saying they are correct to the exclusion of others..



(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.

Not all cults are bad but they are all dangerous

Shalom
RRW

1 comment:

Garnel Ironheart said...

(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

So far, the Chareidim fit.

(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.

Still fit.

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

The Rebbe is Moshiach. The Gedolim have "daas Torah".

2. They believe they are the only true church

Modern Orthodoxy is seen as a joke and a cop-out, no real difference from Reformative.

3. They use intimidation or psychological manipulation to keep members
loyal to their ranks. This

Yup, they fit.

4. Members will be expected to give substantial financial support to
the group.

No, they don't fit, because most of them are dirt poor because they don't have jobs.

5. There will be great emphasis on loyalty to the group and its
teachings.

You can't question a Gadol!


They will have little or no time to think for
themselves because of physical and emotional exhaustion.

The Gedolim must make all our decisions for us!

6. There will be total control over almost all aspects of the private
lives of members.

Oreo cookie outfit, community "standards" etc. Yup, they fit.

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

No, they definitely don't do that.

8. Any dissent or questioning of the group's teachings is discouraged.

Yup, they fit.


9. Members are required to demonstrate their loyalty to the group in
some way.

Yup, another riot in Mea Shearim.

> Refugees of the group are usually faced with confrontations by
other members with coercion to get them to return to the
group.

Nay, they're just mocked as OTD's.